Program Coordinator

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) seeks a Program Coordinator to assist in the implementation of regional programs to enhance public safety in Greater Boston, with a particular focus on helping the region prepare for and respond to natural or human-caused disasters through work on behalf of the Northeast Homeland Security Regional Advisory Council (NERAC), as well as preventing violence by or against youth through work on behalf of the Metropolitan Mayors Community Safety Initiative (CSI). The Coordinator will work with other MAPC departments and staff, state and local officials, first responders, community-based prevention partners, academic researchers, and others to advance programs and projects that enhance the safety of people who live, work, play, and learn in the MAPC region and beyond.  The Coordinator will be a member of the Public Safety Division in the Municipal Collaboration Department, reporting directly to the Director of Municipal Collaboration. This role will work closely with the Program Specialists on the team to support the implementation of grant-funded initiatives.

About MAPC:

MAPC is the Regional Planning Agency (RPA) serving the people who live and work in metropolitan Boston. Our strategic priorities are sustainable development and preservation, advancing equity in the region, collaboration across municipal lines, and developing a climate-friendly and resilient region. We are guided by our regional plan, MetroCommon2050: Shaping the Region Together. MAPC’s staff includes approximately 120 full-time employees located in downtown Boston in a transit-accessible and bike-friendly office.

MAPC has a hybrid schedule, combining time in the office with remote work. Employees must reside within a commutable distance from MAPC’s Boston office.    

MAPC strongly supports the professional development of each staff person, believing their growth to be consistent with the best interests of MAPC and the region. We encourage all our staff to develop new ideas to make MAPC’s planning and policy work more relevant and impactful, and to adapt to changing times.

This is an opportunity to work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and innovative environment with professionals who are committed to building a more sustainable and equitable future for everyone who lives and works in Greater Boston. For more information about MAPC or MetroCommon2050, please visit www.mapc.org

About the Department: 

The Municipal Collaboration Department works to improve the quality and efficiency of municipal services; modernize the operation of local governments; help individual municipalities to resolve local problems; increase coordination among municipalities to address common challenges; procure goods and services collectively for the benefit of our cities and towns; and make our communities safer and more resilient. By leveraging federal, state, regional, and local funding, the services we provide can vary over time to meet changing needs. We currently manage grants to close the digital divide, coordinate health care across communities, prepare for and recover from emergencies, address violence by and against youth, address substance use disorder, and protect our communities from natural and human-caused disasters.
  
 We welcome to our team intelligent, thoughtful, and entrepreneurial professionals who are committed to improving the quality of life in Metro Boston and beyond.

This is a writing-intensive position that works in collaboration with other staff members to implement federal and state grants and manage projects that serve to enhance regional homeland security preparedness and public safety efforts and decrease violence against youth.

• Coordinate and assist in the facilitation of meetings that bring together grant stakeholders to determine funding and project priorities to bolster the safety and security of area communities;
• Work with stakeholders to research and develop project ideas and plans to meet identified gaps in emergency preparedness, public safety, and youth empowerment efforts;
• Gather data and information for grant projects and assist in the drafting of approval documents, scopes of services, and equipment specifications;
• Monitor grant budgets and review, adjust, and process requests from stakeholders for reimbursement of grant approved expenses;
• Assist in the development and tracking of performance metrics to evaluate how grant funded projects meet their objectives;
• Assist in the completion of state and federally required reports, as well as inventory management activities;
• Coordinate social media communications and public outreach activities to promote grant program initiatives, opportunities, events, and outcomes;
• Schedule events to include identifying appropriate facilities, registration of attendees, and other logistics; and
• Research grant opportunities and assist in the drafting of grant applications to expand opportunities to improve emergency preparedness and public safety in the region.

Evening events, occasional weekend events, and local travel are a responsibility for this position. MAPC does not require that you have a vehicle; however, you must have a valid driver’s license and/or the ability to arrange transportation to meetings in different parts of the region. MAPC provides support for travel, including MBTA passes, a Zipcar account and BlueBikes membership. 

Candidates for this position should have, at a minimum, a Bachelor’s degree and 1 year of relevant work experience OR an Associate’s degree and at least two years of relevant work experience OR four years of relevant work experience.

Successful candidates for this position will demonstrate all or most of the following:

• Ability to learn and apply work processes, policies, and systems;
• Ability to work with diverse communities and to focus on advancing equity in the implementation of public safety programs;
• Ability to proactively set priorities and multi-task without compromising attention to detail;
• Excellent time management, organizational, and project management skills;
• Strong written and verbal communications skills with the ability to tailor messages to specific audiences;
• Ability to analyze and solve problems independently in a resourceful and innovative manner;
• Ability to effectively communicate and work within grant specific policies and procedures; 
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines;
• Ability to work with a wide variety of stakeholders and in a team environment;
• A professional demeanor and a positive “can do” attitude, with high public service standards;
• Knowledge of federal and/or state government grant processes and systems;
• Willingness to perform administrative functions as needed, such as filing, photocopying, and database management; and
• Advanced computer skills including working with MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook and Adobe. 

Compensation and Benefits: 

The salary ranges from $63,000 - $70,000, depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time non-exempt position. MAPC offers excellent Massachusetts state employee benefits as well as a flexible, supportive, and family-friendly work environment and a commitment to continued professional development. 

How to Apply: 

Apply online at www.mapc.org/jobs. The position is open until filled, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume. Candidates selected to interview will be asked to submit three (3) references plus a sample of relevant writing or work product. Candidates must have legal authorization to work in the USA and a valid driver's license and/or the ability to arrange transportation to meetings in different parts of the region. MAPC participates in E-Verify, which is a federal program that helps us to determine work eligibility in the United States. MAPC may consider sponsorship on a case-by-case basis.
 
MAPC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a staff with a range of perspectives, experiences, and skillsets strengthens our work. We are committed to building a more equitable workplace that allows staff with diverse backgrounds and identities to thrive, grow, and lead. For more information on MAPC’s culture of equity, see our Equity at MAPC page.