Regional Planner

Position Summary

EMDC’s Regional Planner is responsible for delivering technical assistance to municipal and regional entities on a broad array of land use, code enforcement, development, environmental and infrastructure topics. The Regional Planner will join a team that focuses on communication, integration with other EMDC programs, and outcomes. The work is performed under the general supervision of the Senior Director of Planning and Development.

Essential Functions

• Support efforts and activities of EMDC’s Regional Planning Commission.
• Provide technical planning and program related assistance to municipal officials.
• Work with local committees in drafting, review, and revision of local comprehensive, transportation and development plans that adhere to State and federal regulations, and other related materials.
• Attend meetings of local, regional, and state groups and committees, planning seminars, and conferences. This includes evening meetings.
• Work with local committees in drafting, review, and revision of local plans, ordinances regulations, and related materials. Assist in the implementation, interpretation and administration of plans and ordinances.
• Working knowledge of long-range planning, such as effectively writing comprehensive plans to include gathering data and research.
• Correctly and efficiently utilize and analyze demographic, economic, environmental, tabular, and mapped sources of information for presentation in reports and to audiences in support of planning initiatives.
• Organize and facilitate meetings to engage local and regional stakeholders in planning processes.
• Contribute to efforts related to regional planning action items of Eastern Maine’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and reinforce EMDC’s designation as an Economic Development District (EDD).
• Communicate and coordinate plans and projects with other EMDC staff, local and regional groups, and governmental agencies.
• Conduct research and analysis on behalf of communities to clearly identify program needs.
• Plan, organize, and carry out aspects of planning related programs of significant impact, scope, or complexity.
• Reason logically and creatively and utilize a variety of analytical techniques to resolve complex issues.
• Prepare and update reports, plans, ordinances, and other planning-related documents as directed. Assist with contract management and grants development as needed.

Job Requirements

• Working knowledge of the principles, practices, and applications of regional planning, transportation planning, municipal land use planning, resiliency planning, and code enforcement.
• Ability to communicate, establish, and maintain effective working relationships with local, state, and federal officials, and colleagues in other public and private agencies and institutions.
• Work with local committees in drafting, review, and revision of local comprehensive, transportation and development plans that adhere to State and federal regulations, and other related materials.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including the ability to present technical information and planning concepts clearly and effectively to a range of audiences.
• Up-to-date working knowledge of federal and state legislation, programs, regulations, and procedures related to planning and the particular area of specialization.
• Working knowledge of GIS technology.
• Organize and facilitate group and committee discussions leading to clear and identifiable outcomes.
• Work independently, organizing and executing work assignments in a thorough and timely manner to meet all deadlines.
• Ability to work under frequent time pressures and be able to keep several projects in progress at the same time.
• Experience and skills to be an effective public speaker and communicator.
• Travel to attend frequent night meetings within the Penobscot and Piscataquis region, using personal vehicle for business use (reimbursable).

Education/Experience

A minimum of a four-year college degree in urban, regional or transportation planning or related field is preferred. Experience in community planning; knowledge of the concepts, theories, principles, and practices of planning and economic development at the regional and local level. Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Working Conditions

General business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, though exempt positions will typically require work to be performed outside general business hours. Work is generally performed in an indoor, professional office environment.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or listen, and regularly required to use a keyboard for typing. The employee is often required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. The employee must travel to different locations and must be able to provide own transportation.

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 essential functions.

Disclaimer: Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.