In accordance with an initiative approved at the annual town meeting in May, the town is seeking to hire a town planner. According to a job description written in collaboration with several boards and committees, including the Board of Selectmen, Planning Board, and the Economic Development Committee, the Town of Sterling is seeking an innovative and visionary planner to carry out many complex planning tasks, including providing professional and technical review for zoning and comprehensive planning items. The job description states that an ideal candidate will be a dynamic individual who applies innovative and contemporary planning practices into community development, possesses excellent leadership and communications skills, has a thorough understanding of land use principles with historic preservation and environmental issues, demonstrates strong project management skills, and has the ability to perform at a high level in a team oriented environment. The town planner, serving as a visionary and subject matter expert in potential land use concept, ideas, and plans, will provide professional, management, and technical work assisting a wide range of town boards, committees and departments with all aspects of land use planning, including zoning, site plan, growth management and subdivision matters as delineated by state statute, local bylaws, local subdivision rules and regulations, and will exercise responsibility for the development of town land use policies, procedures, goals, and objectives.
The town is seeking an individual with a bachelor’s degree or preferably a master’s degree in planning, development, or closely related field. A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in planning and community development is required, preferably in municipal planning and community development. Individuals with any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job, will also be considered. The successful candidate will have, or will be working toward, American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification. The deadline for application is August 31.
To view the full job description, visit sterling-ma.gov, click on Vacancies, then Employment Opportunities.
