Job Description

RCS Staffing has an immediate need for a Senior Planner/Assistant Director in Montclair, NJ. This is a full-time direct-hire Hybrid Remote assignment with our client (with flexible schedule and evening meetings expected). This position offers a competitive package including benefits, vacation and holidays.

Overview of YOUR role as a Senior Planner/Assistant Director

As a Senior Planner/Assistant Director, you will provide planning assistance to municipalities throughout Essex and Union counties, as well as professional expert witness testimony to private clients throughout Northern and Central New Jersey. This role requires an independent, go-getter mentality with the ability to manage your own clients while working in a team environment that fosters creativity and learning. You will handle significant public-facing work, presenting data and reports to the public, planning boards, and community stakeholders.

As a Senior Planner/Assistant Director YOU will:

· Work with municipal and private clients in areas of land use planning and redevelopment planning
· Prepare completeness reviews, professional Planner reports and compliance reports
· Conduct Land Use ordinance and Master Plan review and interpretation · Research literature and case law
· Attend and offer expert witness testimony before Planning Boards and Boards of Adjustment
· Produce sketches and renderings of limited or varied complexity
· Maintain client communications and schedules
· Undertake all field work (administrative and technical) related to land use applications
· Facilitate community engagement sessions as needed
· Provide professional planning and project management services to municipalities and Land Use Boards, including land use and redevelopment planning, master plan management, municipal technical assistance, affordable housing, economic development, and community development
· Participate in the development of Master Plans, zoning ordinances and redevelopment plans
· Provide Community Organization Outreach, including outreach to minority communities through surveys of residents, businesses and stakeholders
· Service clients independently and manage your own client relationships
· Present data and reports to the public at meetings and hearings
· Collaborate with support staff who will assist with drafting reviews
· Work on redevelopment plans and various types of planning projects throughout the day
· Attend evening land use board meetings and public engagement sessions

YOU are the ideal Senior Planner/Assistant Director candidate if you have:

· Master's degree in Urban Planning or related field from an accredited college or university
· 5-10 years of professional planning experience (public and/or private)
· American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification/license (required)
· Current New Jersey Professional Planners (PP) License issued by the NJ Board of Professional Planners (required)
· Experience servicing clients independently
· General understanding of planning principles
· Working knowledge of the Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL) and/or the New Jersey Local Redevelopment and Housing Law (LRHL)
· Working knowledge of statutory requirements of zoning variances
· Competency in various software programs, including Microsoft Office, Autodesk AutoCAD and Autodesk Revit, Adobe Creative Suite, GIS, Rhino and SketchUp
· Strong written and oral communication ability
· Strong research and analytical skills
· Motivated self-starter able to work independently with a doer mentality
· Ability to work effectively in a team environment
· Flexibility and ability to work on varying planning projects
· Availability to attend evening land use board meetings and public engagement sessions
· Possession of a valid driver's license and vehicle
· Comfort level working with diverse groups in varied settings 

It's a BONUS if you have:

· Business development experience
· Experience with expert witness testimony
· Experience with affordable housing planning
· Previous experience as an Assistant Director or in a leadership role
· Knowledge of Essex and Union counties

About Our CLIENT

Our client is an established planning firm located in Montclair, NJ, providing comprehensive planning services to municipalities and private clients throughout Northern and Central New Jersey. They offer a team environment that fosters creativity and learning while specializing in land use planning, redevelopment planning, master plan development, and expert witness testimony. With a commitment to professional excellence and community engagement, they provide a flexible work environment where experienced planners can independently manage client relationships and make meaningful contributions to land use and community development throughout New Jersey.

Who WE Are

RCS Staffing is a certified Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) specializing in the recruitment of professionals for best-of-class companies throughout the United States. Since 1994, RCS recruits top talent for direct hire, temp-to-perm and contract staffing positions and provides customized payroll services. Our Recruiting Specialties consist of all Engineering Disciplines, Project Management, Project Controls, Information Technology, Energy Efficiency and Business Professionals.

RCS is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type. RCS recruits, hires, and promotes for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, citizenship status, disability, military status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, genetic information or age. All terms and conditions of employment such as compensation, benefits, work assignment, availability of facilities and privileges of employment are administered on the same basis of equality.