The Town of Newmarket has an immediate opening for a Conservation Planner / Land Use Administrator. This full-time position requires an education or background in land stewardship, environmental science, environmental sustainability, environmental planning or a combination of relevant education and prior experience.  This position requires the ability to quickly gain a working knowledge of state land use statutes and state building code regulations, as well as local land use regulations and its conservation and stewardship priorities and responsibilities. The job also incorporates the duties of an administrative assistant who will support the Planning & Community Development Director and Code Enforcement Officer as described hereinbelow:

Conservation Planner Responsibilities (60-percent)                                                                  

• Provides staff support for the Conservation Commission (“Commission”) by attending their meetings, taking meeting minutes, creating meeting agendas, and posting public notices as needed;
• Assists the Commission with review sign-off and comment for NH Department of Environmental Services wetland permits;
• Assists in review of site plan and subdivision applications as they relate to Conservation Commission, Special Permit and State Wetlands laws;
• Coordinates and conducts, as required, site visits and assessments associated with conservation related violations as well as assisting Conservation Commission with related site visits (including special permit violations, wetlands violations, begin and completion of construction notices and DES violation site visits.);
• Assists in implementing the goals and action items of relevant chapters of the Town’s Master Plan;
• Leads the planning and facilitation of long-term goals related to conservation and land use management as it pertains to preservation, conservation and passive recreation objectives;
• Collaborates and develops in partnership with the Planning Director long-term department goals as it relates to advancing conservation planning priorities;
• Leads and manages the conservation easement monitoring program by overseeing training exercises, volunteer coordination, consultant contract management, and documentation compliance;
• Writes and administers grants for land purchases, conservation management projects, and stewardship projects;
• Coordinates stewardship of Town conservation areas, including guiding development of new or improved public access infrastructure, development of new or updates to stewardship plans, and implementation of stewardship projects;
• Researches and develops zoning and development standards relating to conservation and ecologic preservation;
• Promotes Commission activities through multiple channels, including website management, social media and other community engagement platforms;
• Responds to landowner and resident inquiries related to conservation issues;
• Manages the records of the Commission and prepares correspondences pertaining to the activities of the Commission; and
• Manages GIS data and mapping for the Commission, including conservation areas and easements.

Land Use Administrator Responsibilities (40-percent)                                                               

• Reviews permit applications for completeness;
• Reviews Zoning Board of Adjustment and Planning Board applications for completeness;
• Assists the Code Enforcement Officer with the issuance of permits;
• Receives and process payments;
• Assists the public in scheduling meetings and inspections;
• Assists the public in submitting applications;
• Maintains the filing system;
• Assists the Zoning Administrator and Planning Director with the public noticing of meetings creation of agendas and completion of staff reports;
• Maintains the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment and other webpages the Department manages with current and up-to-date information;
• Assists the Code Enforcement Officer and Local Health Officer in the processing and prosecution of complaints and code/health violations;
• Attends Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment, as needed; and
• Any other duties as assigned.

Qualifications                                                                                                                                   

• Educational background, working knowledge or a combination thereof, related to land stewardship, conservation management or environmental science and planning;
• Knowledge or the ability to develop a working knowledge of state land use statutes, including but not limited to, building code, land use, zoning, and conservation;
• Knowledge of Zoning Board of Adjustment and Planning Board procedures;
• Knowledge of ESRI or other Geographic Information System mapping programs;
• Ability to maintain filing systems;
• Ability to utilize technology including computer and cloud-based applications;
• Ability to create and maintain spreadsheets for tracking permit applications and other land use data; and
• Ability to create and deliver clear and concise written communications.

The salary range for this position is $55,000 to $60,000, depending on qaulifications, and includes competitive health and dental benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave. The Town of Newmarket is an Equal Opportunity Employer and qualifies under the Public Student Loan Forgiveness program. Please send a cover letter, resume, and list of references to: Bart McDonough, Director of Planning and Community Development, 186 Main Street, Newmarket, New Hampshire 03857 or email to bmcdonough@newmarketnh.gov