Community Development Job Listing

With Sarah Marchant leaving as Amherst's Community Development director to become Community Development director for Nashua, the town posted the job listing last week and the closing date is May 9.

Marchant's last day in Amherst is May 8.

Below is the job listing as it is posted on the town's website:

The Town of Amherst is seeking an exceptional individual to lead its Office of Community Development. Amherst with a population of approximately 11,200 is located in southern New Hampshire.

The Community Development Office strives to effectively manage community change in accordance with the Master Plan and the Town’s ordinances and regulations. We do this by providing professional advice and technical expertise in a consistent and fair manner to citizens, boards, commissions, departments, and regional agencies on the implementation of land use ordinances, regulations, and policies for both the short- and long-term physical, economic, and community development of the Town. The office provides a variety of services including:

• Land development review.
• Master planning/long-range planning.
• Building permitting and inspections.
• Health and safety.
• Economic Development: Commercial, Industrial, and Small Business.

The Community Development Office includes the Building, Code Enforcement, Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Departments. It also provides support to the Town’s Zoning Board of Adjustment, Planning Board, Historic District Commission, Conservation Commission, and the Heritage Commission. In support of the commissions and boards, the Office has become the central repository for all land use related plans and documentation, and the central communication hub for all land use boards. The Office is operated by a team of three full time staff members and several part-time board secretarial support personnel.

The Director serves as a member of the Town Administrator’s management team supporting the overall town government mission and as such interacts with citizens, volunteers, developers, and regional and state level organizations.

Bachelor degree in Planning, Geography or comparable degree in a related field is required, with 7 -10 years of progressive experience in planning, zoning, building and the NH regulatory system. A Master’s Degree and AICP certification are preferred.

Email cover letter and resume to tdemanche@amherstnh.gov. The position is a Labor Grade 19 with a salary range of $70,532 to $85,987, depending on qualifications, and includes a comprehensive benefit package. The Town of Amherst is not part of the NH State Retirement System.