Regional Planner IV - Web Strategist

Who We Are as an Employer:

At EEA, we create meaningful, inclusive opportunities that empower our employees to make a real difference in shaping the environmental future of Massachusetts. We foster a workplace culture where diversity is valued, innovation is encouraged, and collaboration thrives. Our employees play a vital role in advancing sustainability, environmental justice, and clean energy solutions, ensuring a positive and lasting impact on Massachusetts and its residents.

The Web Strategy and User Experience Lead manages MassDEP's web presence and handles oversight, planning, review, and guidance for MassDEP's cross-bureau web development team on user interface (UI), structure, analytics, training, accessibility and site conformance with federal and state standards. Excellent communication skills are needed, as this role partners with public affairs, MassDEP program staff on stakeholder communications, public outreach and social media initiatives and user engagement across MassDEP's web platforms. This role plans and directs content audits and retrofits legacy content, manages site reviews to find and direct improvements based on key metrics and user data analysis, tests and implements solutions, tracks progress and reports regularly on status. As an integral part of the Mass.Gov user community, this individual collaborates with our agency partners (EOTSS/Mass.gov, and EEA) to identify and promote content management system (CMS) enhancements, to test and provide feedback on ongoing product improvements, and to contribute to content strategy efforts across the platform.

If you are interested in strategically using the web to help users and to solve problems, thrive at both managing projects and doing the hands-on work and value a collaborative approach that prioritizes broad input from a range of stakeholders, then you will enjoy this job.

Job Opening:

The Department of Environmental Protection, seeks applicants for a Regional Planner IV, Web Strategy and User Experience Lead to perform the following duties:

The Regional Planner IV in the Enterprise Information Office plans and oversees the content management system (CMS) -related work of MassDEP's cross-bureau web development team to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, policies and standards for web-based applications. The RP IV manages the enterprise application and assigns work to team members who are located in MassDEP's Bureaus and, coordinates the work of team members distributed throughout MassDEP to accomplish project objectives, tracks and reviews their progress and reports on performance. The RPIV plans and directs content audits, develops and keeps project documentation, manages retrofits of legacy content to meet established standards and accessibility requirements. The RPIV gathers and analyzes reporting and user data to identify issues and program needs, independently researches options and crafts innovative solutions. The Regional Planner IV works with internal team members to gather business requirements and define project goals and helps with the planning, development and implementation of products hosted on the mass.gov platform. The RPIV collaborates with teams across EEA and with local, state and federal partners on information exchange, product delivery, and on stakeholder engagement and communication across MassDEP's channels. This role consists of an individual with unique skill sets on a very specific area of expertise. While there are not direct reports, this role has a significant role indirectly overseeing and guiding web development staff in MassDEP's Bureaus.

DETAILED STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage web planning, governance, and content updates.
• Conduct content audits and organize content to meet user needs and project goals.
• Structure content to create user-friendly information and maintain documentation like wireframes.
• Ensure content meets federal and state standards and provide guidance on content management.
• Evaluate and improve website accessibility, including design and technical aspects.
• Develop and lead training on content management systems (CMS), analytics, content strategy, and accessibility.
• Use data tools to identify and fix errors in content.
• Improve user experience and track ratings.
• Support the creation of time-sensitive websites and documents, and work with outreach teams.
• Mentor staff on content strategy and digital outreach and teach tool usage to improve content quality.
• Organize stakeholder meetings to gather requirements, create project plans, and deliver designs.
• Oversee product testing, fix bugs, and ensure successful deployment.
• Identify and promote agency priorities on the Mass.gov platform and track improvements.
• Lead the Mass.gov user group and content strategy team.
• Track and analyze metrics to improve accessibility and content performance.
• Provide support and training on web tools, including CMS, accessibility, content strategy, and analytics

Qualifications

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Strong skills in web management, content structure, compliance, accessibility, and front-end development.
• Experience working with teams to gather requirements, find solutions, and manage schedules for timely delivery.
• Knowledge of HTML, content management tools, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Office 365.
• Excellent communication skills, able to explain technical concepts to non-technical staff and collaborate across all levels.
• Problem-solving skills, using research and analysis to make recommendations and improve ROI.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt to changes, and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-motivated, quick learner, and capable of training others on new tools.
• Strong skills in building consensus and coordinating tasks among team members.
• Mass.Gov implementation of Drupal CMS and rules for template use/selection, Siteimprove analysis, Smartsheet, Formstack, Gravity Forms, Caspio and Sharepoint
• Adapting readily to shifting requirements, and ability to quickly change course and try new approaches in a fast-paced deadline-driven work environment.
• Project team planning, leadership and cross-bureau coordination on digital product delivery Understanding of accessibility requirements, including WCAG 2.1, Enterprise Information Technology Policy and plain language, PII and privacy regulations, fair use and copyright, Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License, and related social media and appropriate use policies
• Managing the regulation updates listserv and support program email distribution via list management software

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) five years of full-time, or equivalent part-time technical or professional experience in urban or regional planning, environmental planning, transportation planning or land use planning, and (B) of which at least three years must have been in a professional capacity, and (C) of which at least one year must have been in a supervisory capacity, or (D) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in urban or regional planning, environmental planning, urban studies, architecture, landscape architecture, civil, environmental, or transportation engineering or environmental sciences may be substituted for two years d the required (A) experience.

II. A Graduate degree with a major in urban or regional planning, environmental planning, urban studies, architecture, landscape architecture, civil, environmental, or transportation engineering or environmental sciences may be substituted for three years of the required (A) experience and one year of the required (B) experience.

Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis on the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

NOTE: Educational substitutions will only be permitted for a maximum of three years of the required experience. Substitutions will only be permitted for a maximum of one year of the required (B) experience. No substitution will be permitted for the required (C) experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operator's License.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.