SENIOR PLANNER

(LAND USE PLANNING COMMISSION)

-AGENCY ONLY-

Opening Date:

December 16, 2024

Closing Date:

January 10, 2025

Location:

Augusta*

Position #:

01750-0386

Position Type:

Permanent Full Time

Class Code:

0603

Grade/Salary:

Grade 25 - $54,412.80 - $76,315.20 Per Year

*This position may be based in one of the six regional offices located in Ashland, East Millinocket, Bangor, Greenville, Wilton, or Augusta, depending on the successful candidate’s location.

Remote work options are available subject to management approval.

BRIEF JOB DESCRIPTION: The Senior Planner is a team member of the LUPC planning staff, which provides professional planning services for the unorganized and de‐organized areas of the state. We strive to adapt sound land use planning principles to the LUPC’s unique and sparsely populated service area that covers almost half of the land area of Maine. The LUPC planning staff come from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines to work together to find creative and timely solutions to changing land use planning needs.

The Senior Planner uses their strong analytical skills to write rules and policy statements, staff inter‐department initiatives, and analyze development trends throughout the Commission’s service area. The Senior Planner, in conjunction with permitting staff, also uses their experience in development review to evaluate zoning petitions and permit applications for significant development projects, including subdivisions and commercial development. Public meetings and all aspects of rulemaking are a regular part of the planning division’s tasks. Some assignments require travel and evening meetings. Building strong working relationships with other agencies and stakeholders is an important part of the Senior Planner’s regular work.

For questions specific to the position, please contact Stacy Benjamin at: stacy.benjamin@maine.gov

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A Bachelor’s degree in an assigned area and four (4) years of related work experience. Equivalent related experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis. 

Assigned Areas: Community planning and development, public policy or administration, law, geography, environmental science, political science, natural resource management, or another related field.

Preference will be given to those with excellent organizational ability and strong writing, communication, and problem-solving skills. Experience in consensus-building and leading group processes is desired. A Master’s degree in planning is a plus.

Preferred Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Understanding of rural land use, natural resource industry, conservation, and economic development issues
• Knowledge of relevant state land use laws, regulations, and policies
• Familiarity with the general principles of land use planning and experience creating and implementing comprehensive plans, land use ordinances, regulations, or legislation
• Strong writing skills and the ability to review, synthesize, and summarize complex policy issues and planning concepts
• Experience in regional planning, community development, and housing issues
• Experience working with property owners, stakeholders, and the public in a planning process
• Experience in public presentations, including the ability to convey complex issues to a wide range of listeners
• Ability to independently set and meet deadlines, lead and collaborate on team projects, and complete multiple large projects over long time frames
• Experience working for a citizen board
• Competence in the use of, or ability and willingness to learn, database and GIS software for analysis

HOW TO APPLY: Interested applicants need to apply online by selecting the "APPLY" button below along with uploading a Cover Letter and detailed Resume. In order for us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your Resume includes month and year for any experience listed along with the duties and responsibilities associated with each particular time period. Any experience that was not full-time employment should be identified as such. 

If you can't apply online and you require a paper application, please download and print one here: https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-jobs/application-process. Paper applications for this posting should be submitted along with a Cover Letter and detailed Resume, before the closing date, to: Natural Resources Service Center, c/o Kristin McCamish, 32 Blossom Lane, Marquardt Building, Augusta, ME 04333-0155. Please be sure that the title, and position number, of the job you are applying for is included.

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No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave. 
• Health Insurance Coverage– The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96-$13,172.88 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.  
• Health Insurance Premium Credit– Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements. 
• Dental Insurance– The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($358.08 annual value). 
• Retirement Plan– The State of Maine contributes 13.29% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.  
• Gym Membership Reimbursement– Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense. 
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts– Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses. 
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness– The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office. 
• Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.  
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation– Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions. 
• Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness. 

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. 

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you.  Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?
Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting.  If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.