Senior Planner - Planning

Job Description Primary Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Planner for Current Planning, the Senior Planner for Current Planning is an integral member of the Current Planning team and will focus on development review and technical analysis of Special Permits, Comprehensive Permits, Site Plan Review and other discretionary reviews required by the City. The Senior Planner (Current) will primarily assist and be responsible for preparing materials for the Land Use Committee of the City Council, including the preparation of memorandums and visual presentations and representing the City on development projects.

The Senior Planner (Current) is also responsible for the review of plans at the building permit and occupancy phases of a project and the administration of any special conditions attached to a project.

Scope and Judgment: Answers questions, reviews plans and reviews applicable state and local laws and regulations, department policies and procedures in order to enforce appropriate regulations and assist businesses and residents in solving a wide variety of current planning issues. Duties require mature and independent judgment and initiative to analyze, solve problems, and make decisions based on departmental, city, state and federal policies and regulations.

Exercises considerable judgment and initiative in performing duties.

Supervision Received: Position reports to the Chief Planner for Current Planning. Operates in accordance with applicable state and local laws and regulations, department policies and procedures, requiring the ability to plan and perform operations to independently complete assigned tasks according to a prescribed time schedule. Independently establishes own daily work plan based on regular routine and special assignments and based on the needs of the Executive Office, stakeholders, and/or the public as directed by the Chief Planner (Current), Deputy Chief Planner, Deputy Director, and/or Director of Planning.

Supervision Given: None.

• Performs technical and planning analysis of discretionary permits issued by the City including but not limited to: special permits, comprehensive permits, site plan review, public buildings projects, administrative site plan review. The Senior Planner will present the technical analysis to the appropriate advisory group.
• Provides staff and technical support on projects before the Land Use and Zoning & Planning Committees, Zoning Board of Appeals, Real Property Reuse Committee, Planning and Development Board and other advisory groups.
• Manages development review requests and reviews applications for building permits/site plan review in Village Center Overlay Districts, special permits, comprehensive permits, administrative site plan reviews, and reviews of public building projects.
• Ownership of projects throughout all phases of a project, utilizing the online permitting system to review projects and certify compliance with the approved plans for issuance of building and occupancy permits.
• Provides customer service to residents, the public, city staff, city councilors, and other stakeholders regarding the Zoning Ordinance and communicates information about City policies, development projects and zoning updates.
• Performs other project planning, management, needs assessments, oversight, and reports as requested by Planning Leadership.
• Works closely and coordinates with colleagues in the Planning Department, Law Department, Inspectional Services Department, and other City departments as needed on development projects.
• Prepares reports necessary for updating the Newton Comprehensive Plan and implementing its goals and actions, particularly related to zoning updates, land use petitions and comprehensive permit projects.
• Undertakes and reviews projects for implementation of the Comprehensive Plan, working with staff from other City Departments, State Agencies and citizen-based groups as necessary.
• Performs other duties as required.

• Attends and participates in staff, department or other meetings, some of which may be before or after normal business hours. Serve on assigned committees, task forces.…