Community Development Director
Town of Swampscott
The Town of Swampscott is seeking qualified, experienced, and energetic candidates for the
position of Community Development Director. This position reports to the Town Administrator
and manages all day-to-day administrative activities for the Community Development
Department and is responsible for the overall administration of the programs. The successful
candidate will have a master’s degree (MA) in either planning, architecture, landscape
architecture, engineering, community development, public administration; or equivalent
combination of education and experience. Experience must include substantial experience (five
to eight years) with finance, management of publicly funded programs, budget preparation and
management; experience with municipal affairs and American Institute of Certified Planners
(AICP) certification preferred. Salary is commensurate with experience. A full description is
available on the Town’s Web site Qualified individuals should send an application/resume with
cover letter to: Julie Delillo, Director of HR, 22 Monument Avenue, Swampscott, MA 01907 or
by email to: jdelillo@town.swampscott.ma.us. We will accept applications until the position is
filled.
Essential Functions:
Plans, organizes and directs all Planning Department activities; in conjunction with the Town’s
Planning Board and ZBA establishes planning goals and priorities, develops recommends and
implements Planning Department policies and procedures. Accountable for directing all
programs regarding municipal planning, zoning and subdivision matters within the Town as
delineated by state statute and local subdivision by-laws, rules and regulations; provides support
to other Town Boards/Committees as requested
Responds to requests for information and explanation from Town officials, boards, private
developers, citizen groups, consultants, state and regional agencies and the general public
regarding land use regulations and municipal planning issues.
Provides guidance and assistance on Town land use approval processes, by-law and regulatory
compliance to all interested parties; supplies all requested information, data, documents, etc. to
Planning Board members, individually and/or collectively; conducts planning studies regarding
future development. Reviews existing planning and zoning guidelines, rules, regulations and by-
laws and makes recommendations for revisions, updates, amendments, etc. Composes and
compiles drafts, documents, data, presentations, warrant articles, etc. necessary to explain,
educate and implement any revision, update or amendment.
Reviews site, subdivision, parking and landscaping plans, special permit applications and all other
technical documents for conformance with local by-laws, the master plan and all other applicable
regulations and guidelines, resolving and/or noting questions, issues or concerns prior to official
action. Conducts field and site visits as required and/or requested. Attends Planning Board and
ZBA meetings and other board, committee, and commission meetings as necessary. Executes
Planning Board and ZBA decisions.
Individually and/or as part of a team, develops and prepares grant applications for state and
federal grant assistance in the areas of planning, mapping, plan and project review, community
development and public infrastructure improvement.
Oversees consultant selection, contract administration, collection, reconciliation, and
appropriate forwarding of department fees, administers subdivision surety and bonding
requirements, directs and supervises employee and consultant activities. Implements and
maintains computer data base, project/permit tracking and application-to-approval systems to
establish and sustain effective, efficient, utilitarian, time-sensitive procedures and monitoring;
Coordinates agendas for the Planning Board and the ZBA; reviews, forwards and composes
correspondence, management of performance guarantees, draft agreements, meeting agendas,
Board decisions, reports as required.
Prepares and administers the department’s annual operating and capital budgets; prepares
related financial reports as required.
Researches issues, questions and concerns of various Town Boards and the Board of Selectmen
makes public presentations to the Planning Board, ZBA, Town Meeting, other Town, community,
state and agency committees and organizations. Provides pertinent assistance to community and
civic groups on relevant design and beautification projects, business and neighborhood
development activities and cultural, housing, and historic preservation projects.
Maintains up-to-date knowledge in the field of planning, land use, growth management and
community development and Massachusetts planning, zoning and land use laws and trends,
available and planned grants and community funds and their applications through continuing
education, professional development workshops, seminars and meetings of professional
planning related associations. Interacts with state officials and the state and regional planning
agencies and associations to keep apprized of legislation and regulatory change effecting local
planning programs, growth management and land development; coordinates Town planning
goals and priorities with surrounding towns, state and local agencies, councils and committees
and outside consultants as appropriate.
Responsible for the preparation and submittal of grant applications and the administration of
grants awarded to the Town; researches and identifies alternative sources of funding including
state and federal grant funds in support of town economic and community development needs.
Tracks energy usage, costs and savings for all Town facilities and vehicles. Establishes municipal
energy conservation measurers and programs.
Responsible for the development and maintenance of the Planning Board’s web site.
Responsible for researching various technologies, infrastructures and projects that the Town
can undertake to achieve its sustainability goals and reduce its overall carbon footprint.
Assists in maintaining and updating the Town’s Geographic Information System (GIS).
Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in planning or a related field with a master’s
degree preferred; five to seven (5-7) years experience preferably in municipal planning and
community development; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience
which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of
the job.
Special Requirements: Certification as a Planner by the American Institute of Certified Planners
(AICP) is preferred. Valid Class D Motor Vehicle Driver’s License.
