Urban planner Jobs in Boston, MA

Job Details

Level

Entry

Job Location

Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA

Position Type

Regular Full Time

Education Level

None

Salary Range

52,000.00 - $57,000.00 Salary

Travel Percentage

Up to 10%

Job Shift

Job Category

Program

Description

Our Mission

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy seeks to improve quality of life through the effective use, taxation, and stewardship of land. A nonprofit private operating foundation whose origins date to 1946, the Lincoln Institute researches and recommends creative approaches to land as a solution to economic, social, and environmental challenges. Through education, training, publications, and events, we integrate theory and practice to inform public policy decisions worldwide. With locations in Cambridge, Massachusetts; Washington, DC; Phoenix, Arizona; and Beijing, we organize our work around six goals : low-carbon, climate-resilient communities and regions;efficient and equitable tax systems;reduced poverty and spatial inequality;fiscally healthy communities and regions;sustainably managed land and water resources;and functional land markets and reduced informality.

Urban Sustainability Team Overview

The Urban Sustainability team sits within the Land and Communities Impact Area of Programs at the Lincoln Institute. Our work focuses primarily on global cities and their land use management systems but also recognizes the importance of strong urban-rural linkages, is informed by and addresses climate change, and seeks to improve quality of life for all, with an emphasis on historically marginalized communities. The Urban Sustainability team currently manages three programs : Sustainable Urban Form, Climate Mobility and Displacement, and Equitable Urban Greening.

Position Overview

We are looking for a Program Coordinator to join the Urban Sustainability (UrbS) team. You will help us enhance our impact by contributing to our current and future initiatives, including networks, convenings, workshops, place-based pilot programs, research, publications, and communications. You will be an integral member of the team, building thought partnerships while coordinating internally and interfacing with our external audience. The Program Coordinator will be responsible for key aspects of programmatic work, including research synthesis and analysis, and should have an interest in building their expertise in relevant subject matters.

This is a full-time position (37.5 hrs. / wk) ideally located in our Cambridge, MA office. This position is a hybrid work arrangement with about two days weekly in the office, and the selected candidate could work out of our Washington, DC, office instead. Our team tends to operate on a four-day workweek schedule.

What You Will Do :

Program Specific Work

Contribute to research and data collection projects, including literature reviews, research synthesis and analysis, and drafting content for proposals and other materials.

Review, copy-edit, and format working papers and other materials.

Collaborate with cross-department staff to coordinate events (e.g., lectures, workshops, gatherings, or other presentations).

Contribute to outreach, external engagement, and marketing.

Coordinate Requests for Proposals.

Build and maintain up-to-date familiarity with trends and topics related to Urban Sustainability programs.

Monitor and maintain materials on the internal network (SharePoint).

Take notes and summarize decisions and action items in team meetings.

Track and manage network contacts and partners.

Schedule meetings with internal and external partners and make space reservations for both in-office and virtual meetings (e.g., Zoom, Teams).

Assist with team travel and logistics associated with attendance at events held by external organizations.

Adhere and contribute to improvement of team procedures, practices, and processes

Grow in subject matter expertise and ability to represent the team and the Institute externally.

Event Specific Work

Draft, edit, proofread, and format program materials, including agendas, participant lists, feedback forms, and other documents.

Gather participant contact information and coordinate receipt of participant contributions to event materials.

Work with internal and external partners to ensure event-related tasks stay on track.

Procurement, Budget, and Finance Specific Work

Obtain necessary information for procurement requests and correspond with researchers, universities, and other contractors regarding Lincoln contract requirements.

Monitor contract deliverables and communicate with contractors regarding deliverable status.

Assist with payment processing for contract deliverables.

Produce budget estimates.

Monitor and update program budget and expenditure system to ensure that information is accurately reflected; resolve missing or inaccurate entries.

Monitor the finance system to ensure that vendors receive payments in a timely manner.

Website Specific Work

Coordinate with cross-department staff to draft, update, and monitor website content.

Assist in collecting materials (articles, graphics, images, etc.) for web-based presentations, based on existing or new materials, obtaining copyright permission from authors and journals, and other related tasks.

Other duties as required or assigned.

Qualifications

What You Will Need :

2-5 years of relevant experience; an undergraduate degree in a related field could serve as a portion of the applicable experience.

Excellent writing and editing skills.

High degree of organization and attention to detail, and capable of handling multiple projects simultaneously.

Strong interpersonal communication skills and ability to work independently and with others.

Creative ability to find fresh solutions and new insights to improve the quality of projects and events.

Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines ahead of schedule.

Self-sufficient yet team focused.

Demonstrated initiative and ability to adapt in a dynamic environment.

Proficiency in M.S. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and online event platforms (e.g., Zoom).

You Will Be Preferred If :

Fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, and / or French.

Prior experience working in or with historically underserved communities.

Experience with project management tools (Asana)

About the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy seeks to improve quality of life through the effective use, taxation, and stewardship of land. A nonprofit private operating foundation whose origins date to 1946, the Lincoln Institute researches and recommends creative approaches to land as a solution to economic, social, and environmental challenges. Through education, training, publications, and events, we integrate theory and practice to inform public policy decisions worldwide. With locations in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Washington, DC, Phoenix, and Beijing, we organize our work in seven major areas : Planning and Urban Form, Valuation and Taxation, International and Institute-Wide Initiatives, Latin America and the Caribbean, People's Republic of China, The Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy, and the Center for Community Investment.

Compensation Overview

The salary market range for this role is posted above and dependent on level of education and years of experience. We value internal and external equity and encourage those who may be missing qualifications to submit their materials still.

Our Benefits

Include but are not limited to (a) 3x employer contribution towards retirement matching your employee contribution up to 15%, (b) health insurance, (c) dental insurance, (d) vision insurance, (e) 100% reimbursement of the health care deductible through a health reimbursement account, (f) short-term disability coverage, (g) long term disability coverage, (h) paid parental leave, (i) voluntary insurances such as accident insurance, (j) health care flexible spending, (k) dependent care flexible spending, (l) paid time off for holidays, vacation, personal, sick, bereavement, and jury duty, (m) office closure between December 24 - Jan 1 each calendar year, (n) flexible schedule and option for a compressed 4 day workweek, (o) tuition and staff development reimbursement, (p) pet insurance, and (q) Employee Assistance Program.

Application Process

Please submit a cover letter and resume. The cover letter should succinctly describe your interest in joining the team; why you are qualified; and what relevant expertise and experience you offer.

Our Values

Cooperation and Teamwork, Forthright Feedback, Initiative, Acceptance of Responsibility, Multicultural Sensitivity

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy is dedicated to creating an inclusive work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Individuals seeking employment at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy are considered without regards to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), ancestry, citizenship status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital or domestic / civil partnership status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

Massachusetts Polygraph Statement

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Non-Smoking Organization

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy is a Non-Smoking organization. Smoking and the use of tobacco products are prohibited at all times and on all property owned, leased, or under the control of Lincoln Institute of Land Policy at all times, including, but not limited to indoor and outdoor grounds, walkways and sidewalks, parking lots, company vehicles, and private vehicles parked on Lincoln Institute of Land Policy property.