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ISD Zoning Review Planner

Department:
Inspectional Services Department (ISD)
Duties:

Statement of Duties

This position is responsible for review of projects under the Somerville Zoning Ordinance.  Work duties include professional and technical work in inspectional services, including project application review, plan review for zoning compliance, site inspections for consistency with zoning ordinance and decision conditions and special permit approval conditions.  The ISD Zoning Review Planner also participates in development review, provides input into zoning amendments and serves as a liaison between the building inspectors in the Inspectional Services Department (ISD) and the planners in the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD).  This coordination ensures streamlined review of development projects and consistent and fair application of the zoning ordinance. This position splits time evenly working in the ISD and OSPCD offices, and also performs field visits.

Essential Functions:

  • Serves as one of two primary designees of the Director of Inspectional Services/Building Commissioner for compliance with the Somerville Zoning Ordinance.
  • Conducts reviews of project plans for consistency with the Zoning Ordinance
  • Researches and analyzes data
  • Manages events/initiatives relating to zoning and development.
  • Reviews plans going before the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), and/or Conservation Commission
  • Reviews projects during construction and upon completion, for compliance with ZBA and Planning Board conditions
  • Prepares zoning opinions for ISD.
  • Serve as liaison between the Planning Division of OSPCD and ISD.
  • Develops and recommends by-law and ordinance amendments
  • Provides information to public regarding City ordinances, state laws and regulations
  • Provides professional and technical administrative approval on City processes, in accordance with local and state regulations.

 

Requirements:

Recommended Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience: College Degree and three (3) years experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Master’s degree in Planning or related field preferred.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skill

Knowledge:  Knowledge of zoning, electronic permitting, planning, conservation, preservation, economic development, transportation and infrastructure is required.

Abilities: Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with state and federal agencies, architects, contractors, developers, owners, supervisors, employees, and the general public.  Ability read, review and understand technical, civil and architectural drawings.

Skill: Skill in facilitating and public presentations is required.

Work Environment                                                              

The work environment involves everyday discomforts typical of offices, with exposure to outside elements through regular field visits to development projects under construction or recently completed.  Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting, but conditions are generally not unpleasant.  Employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours in response to attend evening meetings or complete work assignments.  When in the field or attending meetings, the environment can be at construction sites and outdoors.  During the COVID-19 related shutdown of City buildings, employees may be expected to work remotely or in the office/field. Must comply with applicable state and local safety precautions while performing work duties, including wearing personal protective equipment and practicing appropriate social distancing.

Physical and Mental Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.

Physical Skills

Minimal physical demands are required to perform the work. Work effort principally involves sitting to perform work tasks, with intermittent periods of stooping, walking, and standing. Work requires some agility such as moving in or about construction sites or over rough terrain. There may also be some occasional lifting of objects such as office equipment or photocopy paper (up to 30lbs.).  When in the field, more physical skill may be required to accomplish the duties required.

Motor Skills

Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job may occasionally require minimal motor skills for activities such as moving objects, operating a telephone, personal computer and/or most other office equipment including word processing, filing and sorting of papers.

Visual Skills

Visual demands require constantly reading documents for general understanding and analytical purposes.

Application Procedure:

Send your resume and cover letter by August 31, 2020 to:

City Hall Personnel Office
93 Highland Avenue
Somerville MA 02143
Fax: 617-666-4426
TTY: 1-866-808-4851
Email: employment_opportunities@somervillema.gov

City of Somerville residents are especially encouraged to apply.

The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request.

Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, Nency Salamoun, at 617-625-6600 x2323 or NSalamoun@somervillema.gov.

Hours:
Full Time
Salary:
$76,500 annual plus benefits
Application Start Date:
Application End Date:

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