Policy Advisor

*This position is a one-year appointment*

The Planning Advisory Council (PAC) was created by Mayor Michelle Wu in January 2023 to guide a shared vision for a greener growing and more family-friendly Boston. Chaired by the Chief of Planning the Council functions as the Citys built environment Cabinet bringing together Cabinet Chiefs from departments like Housing Streets Arts & Culture Climate Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Operations Equity and Inclusion Finance and more to coordinate major planning and investment decisions across the city.

PAC staff form a small cross-functional division situated within the Citys Planning Department that helps Boston move its priorities forward connecting departments supporting shared initiatives and shaping policies and programs that affect how people live work and move around Boston.

Were looking for an entrepreneurial and self-directed Policy Advisor to join our team. This is a full-time 12-month appointment ideal for someone whos curious creative and excited to work across topic areas from housing stability and anti-displacement to transportation climate and economic development. Youll help shape some of the Citys most important work collaborating with departments and stakeholders to positively impact the lives of Boston residents. This is a nimble role on a small team well suited to someone who is eager to tackle special priorities as they arise and gain exposure to wide ranging departments and expertise.

The Policy Advisor will:

• Serve as a policy entrepreneur helping to develop drive or guide new initiatives that have emerged as priorities in citywide plans where a dedicated set of hands is key to building momentum and coordinating across Cabinets. Projects may be aligned with the Citys recently approved comprehensive neighborhood plans Bostons first Anti-Displacement Action Plan the Franklin Park Action Plan the Community Safety/Plan to End Violence or other key planning initiatives.
• Build relationships with staff across departments like Housing Planning Streets Small Business Arts & Culture Climate and Economic Opportunity & Inclusion.
• Help coordinate workshops events or other engagement opportunities with City staff community partners and residents. One key priority will be convening quarterly sessions with a newly formed cross-departmental Anti-Displacement Working Group to ensure alignment throughout plan implementation.
• Develop public-facing materials that help to improve constituent access to and understanding of city initiatives.
• Ensure the PACs work draws from internal expertise community input and best practices from other cities.
• Help shape the direction of the PACs work by participating in internal strategy and reflection.
• Pitch in as needed this is a nimble team responsive to City and community priorities.

What youll bring/who you are:

• Three or more years of experience in relevant fields such as housing health climate transportation economic development planning policy or other areas that afford an understanding of the built environment.
• Masters degree in a relevant field required.
• Excellent communication skills including experience authoring public-facing reports or other public materials and an ability to distill complex information into easy-to-understand terms.
• Community engagement experience preferred but not required with attention to inclusive engagement practices.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Human-centered respectful of expertise in all its forms and adept at building and maintaining strong relationships at all levels within large organizations.
• Detail-oriented doer - highly organized self-directed and focused on outputs and outcomes.
• Nimble and adaptive.

Boston residency is required. This is a one-year appointment.

Terms:
Union/Salary/Grade: Non-Union/$87500
Hours per week: 35