City of Ellsworth Planner

Start Date: March 17, 2025 | End Date: May 26, 2025
County: Hancock County
Job Type: Planning
More Information: Click here

Job Title: City Planner
Department: Planning
Reports To: City Manager
Salary Range: $70,000-$90,000
Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Position Purpose

The City of Ellsworth is seeking a dynamic and dedicated City Planner to join our team. This individual will play a key role in shaping the growth and development of the City, ensuring that it remains a thriving, sustainable community for years to come. The ideal candidate will be an experienced urban planner with a passion for working collaboratively with City officials, residents, and stakeholders to develop and implement plans that reflect Ellsworth’s vision for the future.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the long-term growth and development of our community.  If you're ready to make a difference and contribute to the growth and development of

our City, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive plans, zoning ordinances, and land-use regulations for the City.
• Lead community engagement initiatives to gather input on planning projects and development proposals.
• Review and evaluate land-use applications, zoning amendments, and development proposals for compliance with City policies.
• Work closely with City departments, government officials, and local organizations to coordinate planning initiatives.
• Provide guidance on urban design, transportation planning, and environmental sustainability.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and recommendations for City council and other stakeholders.
• Ensure that planning projects align with state and federal regulations and funding requirements.
• Manage planning-related grants and funding opportunities.
• Monitor and assess the impact of new developments on City infrastructure and community services.
• Acts as the primary liaison to the Planning Board.
• Leads and manages the Technical Review Team (an internal interdisciplinary group charged with ensuring timely and efficient processing of development projects).

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Planning, Urban Studies, Public Administration, Legal Studies, or related field required (Master’s degree is a plus).
• One to two years of professional or internship experience in planning, community development, building, or zoning activities at the municipal level strongly preferred.
• Consideration may be given to equivalent professional experience and training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with elected officials, department heads, employees, and community members.
• Knowledge and understanding of the theory, principles, practices, laws, and trends in community planning and zoning.  
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to present complex information to diverse audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, work under pressure, and maintain confidentiality.
• Proficiency with standard office software, including word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Job Environment

The City Planner’s work is performed under typical office conditions. This position may require frequent work outside of business hours, including evening meetings and occasional weekends.

Benefits

Work-Life Balance

• Generous paid time off. Employees can earn up to 7 weeks of paid time off per year! Carry over option up to 480 hours.
• 12 paid holidays per year.

Retirement Options

• Retirement savings plan with City matching contributions, to help employees plan for a secure future. Additional option to be part of the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MPERS).

Career Development

• Opportunities for professional growth through training programs and workshops.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education, empowering employees to further develop their skills and knowledge.

Financial Security

• Short Term Disability to cover non-work related injuries or illnesses for up to 52 weeks per year.
• Life Insurance options for employees and dependents.

Health and Wellness

• Competitive and affordable health insurance plans including medical and dental coverage to ensure employees, and their families stay healthy. Employer covers 93% of the monthly medical insurance premium!
• Wellness program to support our employee’s physical and mental well-being.
• Employee Assistance Program.

About the City of Ellsworth

As the “Biggest Little City in Maine” (97 square miles but only around 9,000 people), Ellsworth offers a unique blend of historic charm and rapid modernization. Ellsworth is not just a gateway to nearby Acadia National Park but a destination in its own right, offering residents and visitors a rare mix of past and present.

Incorporated in 1800 and named after Oliver Ellsworth, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitutional Convention, the city boasts a quality of life unmatched in Maine. As the economic, professional, and cultural hub of Downeast Maine, Ellsworth serves as the primary retail service center for over 80,000 residents across Hancock and Washington Counties—a landmass more than twice the size of Rhode Island.

With its historically preserved downtown, scenic landscapes along the Union River, and access to three lakes and a coastal marina, Ellsworth is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. The city is also rich with recreational and cultural opportunities, offering an affordable cost of living, a highly skilled workforce, and excellent public schools. Institutions such as churches, Rotary Clubs, and the Chamber of Commerce remain pillars of the community, fostering a strong sense of belonging and civic pride.

Ellsworth also faces unique challenges and opportunities. As a service hub, the city experiences significant infrastructure pressures, with over 4 million visitors passing through annually en route to Acadia National Park, and millions more accessing Downeast Maine each summer. At the same time, Ellsworth ranks as the second-best city in the nation for short-term rental investments, presenting an opportunity to grow its year-round tax base through expanded business and residential development. Unlike surrounding areas that are projected to see stagnation or decline, Ellsworth is expected to experience rapid population growth over the next five years, reinforcing the need for innovative economic development strategies.

How to Apply

Application Process:

Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit a cover letter, resume, and references to the HR Manager, Kerri Taylor at ktaylor@ellsworthmaine.gov. The position is open until filled, but interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by April 7th, 2025.  Preference will be given to those who apply by Monday, March 31st. The City of Ellsworth is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals.