Employment Opportunities

Housing Planner

The Connecticut Metropolitan Council of Governments (MetroCOG), the regional planning organization with six member communities – Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford and Trumbull is seeking a well-qualified candidate to fill the position of Housing Planner. The Housing Planner will work closely with member municipalities, regional stakeholders, state agencies, and community partners on housing policy and planning.

Overview:

Under supervision and guidance of the Executive Director (or their designee) the Housing Planner will be responsible for guiding, analyzing, and coordinating a range of housing planning and policy objectives.  The Housing Planner will lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of the Regional Housing Growth Plan and the Regional Housing Needs Assessment. This role works closely with municipalities, regional stakeholders, state agencies, and community partners to assess housing needs, plan for future demand, and develop strategies that align with local and regional goals. The Housing Planner will coordinate with municipal planners,  elected officials, developers, and community groups to provide guidance on housing policy, zoning, development feasibility, and regulatory frameworks and supporting municipalities in implementing housing strategies, including zoning updates, affordability initiatives, and growth management policies.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Conduct research, analysis and data collection on housing, including but not limited to legislation review, statutory requirements, state housing initiatives, municipal and regional housing plans/assessments, land use analysis, market studies, etc.
• Project/program management of various housing initiatives, including Housing Growth Plans/Housing Needs Assessments, etc.
• Provide technical assistance to our member municipalities on housing related issues, including planning and implementing various housing strategies
• Manage the Housing Technical Advisory Committee
• Provide information and best practices to MetroCOG Board of Directors, senior staff and municipal staff on housing planning, policy, and financing.  
• Develop outreach content and education materials regarding regional and/or municipal housing initiatives
• Coordinate with staff on other regional and/or municipal planning initiatives as needed, particularly as those planning initiatives intersect with housing policy

Qualifications:

The successful candidate requires graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in urban/regional planning, real estate, public policy/administration or a closely related field. Master’s degree preferred OR an appropriate combination of education and experience. Strong analytical skills with experience in demographic and housing market analysis, familiarity with zoning, land-use regulations, and housing policy, excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder coordination abilities and proficiency with GIS and data analysis tools are preferred.

Successful candidates for this position will demonstrate some or most of the following (commensurate with experience):

• Knowledge and/or experience with housing policy, planning, and/or financing
• Understanding of housing legislation, statutes and laws is preferred but not required
• Excellent research, writing, communication, and presentation skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to work effectively with internal staff and external stakeholders, including government officials/state agencies, elected officials, community groups, non-profit organizations, advocates, developers and others
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, with an emphasis on prioritizing various sized planning projects simultaneously.

The salary range for this position will be $70,000 to $80,000, commensurate with experience and education.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates, please email letter of interest, resume and three (3) references to:

Matthew Fulda, Executive Director
Connecticut Metropolitan Council of Governments
1000 Lafayette Boulevard, Suite 925
Bridgeport, CT 06604
Email: info@ctmetro.org

Position will remain open until filled.

About MetroCOG:

The Connecticut Metropolitan Council of Governments (MetroCOG) is a multi-discipline regional planning organization that is guided by a cooperative partnership between the Region’s six member municipalities: the City of Bridgeport and the Towns of, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford and Trumbull.

MetroCOG works with our municipal partners to identify projects, programs, funding opportunities and best practices that are strategic to achieving our shared vision for the Region. The agency’s core disciplines include transportation, land use, environmental and natural hazard mitigation planning, brownfields assessment and remediation, economic development, regional shared services and a range of Geographic Information Systems/mapping services.

Our member municipalities are committed to a cooperative and proactive partnership that strengthens our region, home to the state’s most populous city as well as key transportation connections to metropolitan areas throughout Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts.

METROCOG is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Positions will remain opened until filled

Equal Employment Opportunity

MetroCOG is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by federal or state law. We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, and where employees are treated with respect and dignity.