Salary: $65,000.00 – $75,000.00 Annually
Location : Boston, MA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: DS-JUL23-DEP
Department: Data Services
Opening Date: 07/25/2023
Description
The Metropolitan Area Planning Council seeks a dynamic and passionate professional to serve as our first dedicated Digital Equity Planner. This position would sit within MAPC’s Data Services Department, reporting to the Digital Services Manager and working closely with other members of the Digital Equity team.
Digital access is crucial for individuals and communities to participate in society, democracy, and the economy. MAPC envisions modern, reliable broadband infrastructure, affordable connections, digital literacy, and device access for all residents of Greater Boston. The Digital Equity Planner will lead our work to bring about this vision by collaborating with MAPC colleagues as well as cities and towns to produce municipal and regional digital equity plans.
The DE Planner will be responsible for two key functions: leading MAPC’s growing municipal digital equity planning practice and supporting our digital equity procurement work. To do this, they will work internally across MAPC departments, and externally across multiple municipalities and stakeholder groups. The DE Planner will gain broad experience and understanding of digital equity projects as MAPC provides municipalities with high-quality Digital Equity plans and will work alongside other digital equity colleagues as they stand up free home Wi-Fi services for residents of public and affordable housing around the state. As the DE Planner gains experience and builds relationships with municipal partners, they will have the opportunity to pursue new projects of their own interests, consistent with MAPC’s core values.
MAPC’s Digital Equity team works with cities and towns across Greater Boston to produce digital equity plans which guide municipalities, public housing agencies, and other public entities in their efforts to increase digital equity. Digital equity plans help municipal leaders better understand residents’ access to the internet (and lack thereof), the ways in which access impacts the ability to participate fully in society and develop actionable steps to improve digital equity. Read more about our Digital Equity work here:
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, regional collaboration, and fostering an equitable and resilient region. We are guided by our regional plan, MetroCommon2050: Shaping the Region Together. MAPC’s staff includes approximately 100 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
Responsibilities (including but not limited to)
- Digital Equity Plan Production – Lead production of digital equity plans in municipalities across the Greater Boston region, including outreach, scoping, research, community engagement, plan writing, and publication/promotion.
- Relationship building and engagement – Develop and manage relationships within municipal governments and other public-sector agencies, community-based organizations, nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholders; Develop and deploy community engagement strategies, including stakeholder interviews, focus groups, community events, and public meetings.
- Qualitative and Quantitative Research – Conduct existing conditions assessments, including qualitative and quantitative analysis of a community’s digital equity assets and needs.
- Funding and Policy Research – Conduct policy research and develop policy recommendations to address community needs and inform local decision making; identify federal, state, philanthropic and other funding opportunities to advance digital equity project implementation.
- Grant Management and Development – Support grant administration by maintaining relationships with our funders and ensuring all grant administration and reporting requirements are met; Identify and evaluate new grant and other funding opportunities to support both municipal Digital Equity work and MAPC’s Digital Equity work.
- Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team – Work across MAPC departments with colleagues to develop and deliver creative project ideas that support MAPC’s wider mission. In particular, work closely with our municipal services team to support MAPC’s Digital Equity-focused apartment Wi-Fi procurement and other project implementation work as needed.
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.
Qualifications
Candidates for this position should have a Master’s degree OR a Bachelor’s degree plus two (2) years of relevant experience OR 4-6 years of work/lived experience supporting digital equity.
Successful candidates for this position will demonstrate all or most of the following:
- Demonstrated commitment to advancing equity in disadvantaged communities, especially in the context of city and regional planning, public policy, and government;
- Experience building relationships with stakeholders at all levels, including community members and leaders, municipal staff, elected and appointed officials, and internal stakeholders;
- Demonstrated experience with project management, meeting facilitation, and public speaking;
- Strong and efficient writing skills with the ability to quickly draft and review plan documents and tailor other communications to a range of audiences.
Preferred:
- Knowledge and a solid understanding of digital equity, including equitable access to reliable, high-speed internet connections, access to devices, and digital literacy;
- Understanding of and interest in city and regional planning;
- Familiarity with communities around Greater Boston;
- Experience with and/or demonstrated ability to learn and effectively use professional collaboration tools (including Slack, Microsoft Office, Airtable, and other tools) and web content management tools (especially WordPress);
- Experience conducting qualitative research;
- Understanding of and interest in broadband and networking technology, online privacy and security, digital literacy, and related topics.
Per MAPC COVID-19 Vaccine Policy, all employees, including remote employees, must be fully vaccinated. This position will require the selected candidate to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, including the Bivalent booster. MAPC is an equal opportunity employer and will consider reasonable accommodation to those individuals who are unable to be vaccinated consistent with federal, state, and local law.
Compensation and Benefits:
The salary ranges from $65,000 – $75,000 depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time 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 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. A Criminal Offenders Records Information (CORI) request must be completed if offered this position. A criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at MAPC, but it will be reviewed in light of the position and other elements of an applicant’s resume.
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.
As an MAPC employee you’re offered a great career opportunity serving the people who live and work in the 101 cities and towns of Metropolitan Boston – but it’s more than a paycheck. Our total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits which you should consider towards your overall compensation, including:
- 75% MAPC paid medical insurance premium
- Reasonable Dental and Vision Plans
- Flexible Spending Account for Health Care and Dependent Care
- Public transit commuter subsidy up to $225
- Low cost basic and optional life insurance
- Retirement Savings plans: Defined Benefit Pension plan through Mass. State Employees Retirement System (MESRB) and a Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan
- 11 paid holidays per year and competitive Sick and Vacation Time
- Up to 5 Discretionary days per year (based on hire date)
- 20 MAPC-paid days for FMLA qualifying events, including parental leave.
- Tuition assistance
- 100% Short-Term Disability and optional Long Term Disability coverage
- Mass4You Wellness Programs and Employee Assistance Program
- Professional Development
- Payment of professional dues and memberships
- On site drop-in yoga, lactation room, and work well fitness challenges
- Mass State employee cell phone data and equipment discounts
- Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program