Assistant Environmental Planner Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Environmental Planner, the Assistant Environmental Planner is an integral member of the Planning team, with a focus on the implementation of the State Wetlands Protection Act, land management, and long-range environmental planning initiatives. The Assistant Environmental Planner will primarily assist with reviewing all wetland permit applications for completeness and compliance, responding to applications and messages sent via OpenGov, conducting site visits, assisting with the Conservation Commission meetings, including the preparation of memorandums and visual presentations, and representing the City on projects which fall under the Conservation Division oversight. The Assistant Environmental Planner is also responsible for administrative tasks in the Conservation Division like overseeing and processing division financial transactions, updating the division’s website, etc. Performs other duties as requested.

Scope and Judgement: Answers questions, reviews environmental plans for compliance with applicable state and local laws and regulations, department policies and procedures in order to enforce appropriate regulations and assist businesses and residents in solving a wide variety of environmental planning issues. Duties require mature and independent judgment and initiative to analyze, solve problems, and make decisions based on departmental, city, state and federal policies and regulations. Exercises considerable judgment and initiative in performing duties.

Supervision Received: Works under the policy direction of the Director and Deputy Director of Planning and Development and works under the general supervision and direction of the Chief Environmental Planner. Operates in accordance with applicable state and local laws and regulations, department policies and procedures, requiring the ability to plan and perform operations to independently complete assigned tasks according to a prescribed time schedule. Independently establishes own daily work plan based on regular, routine and special assignments based on the needs of the Director, Deputy Director, Chief Environmental Planner and/or Executive Office.

Supervision Given: None

(The essential functions or duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)

Primary Elements:

• Assist with State Wetland Protection Act and City Floodplain Ordinance implementation
• Address applications and messages received in OpenGov (wetland, engineering, building, etc.)
• Respond to customer inquiries
• Conduct site visits
• Assist with review of permit applications for completeness and compliance
• Assist with required paperwork
• Assist with Conservation Commission meetings (once every three weeks, via Zoom)
• Carry out administrative obligations
• Financial management (purchase orders, bill pay, contract management, etc.) using MUNIS
• Website updates
• Mapping (using ArcGIS)
• File management (electronic and paper)
• Assist with special projects as they arise (e.g., open space planning, climate action planning and implementation, trails efforts, and advocacy efforts)
• Assist with management of over 300 acres of Conservation Commission-owned land
• Conduct site visits
• Help oversee maintenance contractors
• Support volunteer stewards
• Work with residents, contractors, public officials or other departments to answer questions and resolve issues applying technical knowledge. Make inquiries/referrals to other Departments for additional assistance as may be necessary.
• Performs other duties as required.

Secondary Elements:

• Attend and participate in Department and other meetings and special events.

(To perform successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.)

Education, Training and Experience: Bachelor's degree (B.A. or B.S.) from four-year college or university in biology, environmental studies, city planning or related field; plus (1) or more years related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. Working knowledge of Massachusetts municipal government and the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and regulations is preferred. Applicant must be comfortable working with engineered plans and topographic maps, botany and wildlife, office software systems, and GIS. Must have a valid driver’s license.

Knowledge, Ability and Skill:

Knowledge: Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), including mapping using ARCGIS. Working knowledge of the Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act. Knowledge of administrative practices like creating and managing purchase orders, bill payment, contract management, website updates.

Ability: Ability to work effectively with diverse personalities and various levels of urgency. Demonstrated ability to deal tactfully and with diplomacy with residents, contractors, other city employees, Commission members and others. Ability to present information clearly in writing and orally in small and large groups of professionals and members of the public. Must be able to apply common sense understanding to carry out straightforward written and oral instructions. Must have the ability and determination to solve problems involving clearly prescribed and standardized practices.

Skill: Strong customer service skills and problem-solving skills are essential. Excellent verbal communication skills are essential, with fluency in English. Must be adaptable and flexible. Must possess excellent organizational and time management skills.

A strong commitment to public service is required.

(The physical demands described here represent those requirements 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.)

Work is performed under typical office conditions; the noise level is quiet to moderate at most times. Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

Operates computers, printers, copier, calculator, telephone and standard office equipment.

Has frequent contact with other City departments, current employees, and vendors/service providers. Has frequent contact with residents, applicants, contractors, attorneys and consultants.

Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5 - 10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally. Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.

In addition to in office work, work is also performed in the field, sometimes in adverse conditions, including rain, snow, mud, insects, poison ivy, etc. Employee must be willing and able to drive to sites throughout the City, walk in the woods both on-trail and off-trail, walk in active construction sites and carry some field equipment.

Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community and the City through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s values. Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.

Expected Hiring Range of the position will likely be in the first three steps of the above pay range for external candidates. Initial placement will be based on qualifications and experience and will be made in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

The City of Newton is a wonderful place to live and work. Newton has safe and attractive neighborhoods, an excellent public school system, an active community life, multiple transportation systems, proximity to Boston and a well-managed and financially strong City government. The City of Newton has a population of approximately 88,900, with 32,600 housing units and occupies a land area of 18.3 square miles. Newton is principally suburban-residential in character. Unlike many other communities that are established around a single Main Street or downtown, Newton is comprised of thirteen distinctive villages. Newton has a diversified economic base with approximately 4,700 establishments employing approximately 79,500 people. Newton is special in many ways. It is home to a variety of private secondary and post-secondary schools including a portion of Boston College, Lasell University, William James College, Hebrew College, and the UMass Amherst – Mount Ida Campus. The longest stretch of the Boston Marathon runs through the City, including the well-known Heartbreak Hill. Newton‑Wellesley Hospital, part of the Mass General Brigham health care system, serves as an important partner to the City. In September 2018, Newton was again ranked #1 in Massachusetts as the best place to live and #12 in the U.S.

Newton has what is known as a “strong Mayor” form of government with the Mayor having the executive and administrative powers of the City. The legislative branch is comprised of 24 City Councilors. Mayor Marc C. Laredo was sworn in on January 1, 2026 after serving on the City Council. The City of Newton was evaluated by Moody’s Investors Services in February 2020 and assigned its highest rating of AAA. Newton was thus well‑positioned to weather the pandemic and economic downturn.

The City of Newton believes that its employees are its greatest asset. To that end, we are committed to supporting our employees by providing competitive wages and growth, a comprehensive benefits package which includes a defined municipal pension plan, quality health and dental insurance plans, generous paid leave benefits, paid holidays, and access to supplemental benefits such as deferred compensation, short term disability plans, flexible spending accounts, and other employee benefits. We also provide access to an Employee Assistance Program and access to employee training and professional development opportunities. We continuously work to review and expand upon our benefit offerings. We encourage you to visit our Human Resources Department website to learn more about our organization and benefits which are available to our employees. And as always, you are encouraged to reach out to our dynamic HR Team by emailing hr@newtonma.gov.

We recognize our workforce is a source of strength that is vital to our ability to effectively serve the City of Newton’s diverse community. We will:

• Actively recruit, develop, and retain a diverse and talented workforce.
• Proactively address discrimination through education and in partnership with other departments and leaders.
• Serve as a role model to celebrate and nurture diversity.
• Foster inclusion by staying curious and clarifying assumptions.
• Evaluate and develop policies and practices that reflect the diverse nature of our workforce.
• Build and strengthen accountability at all levels to support diversity efforts.

The targeted salary range reflects what the City of Newtonreasonably and in good faith expects to offer for this position at the time of posting, but the final salary determination may be within or outside this range based on various factors, including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, and market factors. The range will be reviewed regularly and is subject to change.

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 457 Deferred Compensation plans
• Metro Credit Union
• Verizon Wireless discount
• Employee Assistance Program
• Generous paid leave time benefits and paid holidays.
• City Retirement (Mandatory)
• Weekly Direct Deposit
• Opportunity to serve the public and join a dynamic team of dedicated employees