The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (a public sector agency in Boston, MA) seeks a Full-Stack Developer to join the MAPC Digital team to support and build web-based digital tools. We are looking to hire a versatile individual to meet a range of software development and digital infrastructure needs, both backend and frontend.
The Digital team—a small working group that includes 1-2 full stack developers, and is typically supported by designers, and an intern or fellow—is part of MAPC’s Data Services Department, a team of planners, analysts, researchers, software developers, and IT professionals dedicated to using data and technology to support informed civic decision-making. The developer in this role will work in a collaborative, respectful environment on a small team using modern web technologies and open-source frameworks. The tools we build and maintain serve a variety of users and purposes related to our agency’s mission to advance smart growth, equitable development, and municipal collaboration within the Greater Boston region.
Some of our products include:
TrailMap: provides transparent access to regional trail data and supports planners and advocates advancing a more connected trail network for pedestrians and cyclists. (website | GitHub)
Homes for Profit, Speculation and Investment in Greater Boston: allows users to explore data on investor activity in Massachusetts at different spatial scales, download the data in different formats, and read an accompanying report on findings from the underlying research behind the data. (website | GitHub)
Zoning Atlas: aggregates and maps standardized zoning data for the MAPC region, fostering greater transparency and supporting research and analysis of policy. (website | GitHub)
DataCommon: helps stakeholders and the broader public access, explore and utilize MAPC published open data. (website | GitHub)
To learn more about our work products, take a look at the data tools showcased on our website, check out some of the more creative web apps we’ve built, or view our organization‘s repositories on GitHub to get some insight into the tech stacks we use.
This is an ideal position for a technology generalist with an interest in local government and/or public policy who is seeking a mission-driven organization where they can apply and practice a diverse set of software development skills.
About MAPC:
MAPC is the Regional Planning Agency (RPA) serving the people who live and work in metropolitan Boston. Our strategic priorities involve sustainable development, advancing equity, regional collaboration, and creating a climate-friendly 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 www.mapc.org
Responsibilities (including but not limited to)
While the focus of this role will be coding, responsibilities will range from design and development to data analysis and digital infrastructure management, and everything in-between. As part of a small, interdisciplinary group, the Developer will also be involved in all aspects of the product delivery cycle and will have the opportunity to engage directly with partners and clients to develop valuable relationships with municipal planners, government officials, community members, and other technologists. Since this position often draws on a wide variety of skillsets, they will have opportunities to learn and develop skills in backend and frontend software development, user-centered product design, DevOps, data engineering, QA/performance testing, GIS, and more.
- Develop solutions for users. At the direction of the Digital Services Manager, work in close collaboration with other teams (researchers, planners, policy analysts) to deliver software products within project budgets and timelines, striking a balance between strategies that optimize for arriving quickly at an MVP, but also planning for future code reuse and maintainability.
- Iterate towards defined features. Utilize a lean approach to transform specs, concepts, sketches, and ideas into effective features, minimum viable products, and user-validated, production-ready digital tools.
- Maintain and build on existing code. Become familiar with and take ownership of existing, mature code bases with relative ease; identify and evaluate tradeoffs associated with code changes, including mitigating potential risks or and taking advantages of opportunities for improvement; integrate existing and new services.
- Foster effective data infrastructure. In collaboration with colleagues responsible for spatial and tabular data management, provide architectural guidance and system implementation support; apply technical skills to support the hosting and management of our data and application infrastructure; manage integrations and seamless movement of datasets between applications.
- Evaluate and provide feedback. Perform analysis and provide feedback on reported bugs and defects and implement solutions; perform thoughtful code reviews and provide constructive, positive feedback with the interest of improving code quality, performance, and building the team.
Limited local travel may be asked for this position. MAPC provides support for travel, including MBTA passes, a Zipcar account and subsidized BlueBikes memberships.
Qualifications
Successful candidates for this position will demonstrate all or most of the following:
- Proficiency with modern web technologies: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and front-end frameworks (ideally React)
- Experience building database-backed APIs using server-side languages/platforms (Ruby/Rails, JS/TS/Node.js, Python)
- Experience with basic use and administration of AWS and other cloud hosting options like Heroku or GitHub Pages
- Comfort using Git and GitHub for source control in a team context
- Familiarity with geospatial data, software and APIs
Preferred:
- Demonstrated experience working with geospatial data, software, and APIs (especially ESRI products)
- Familiarity with best practices in iterative development and user centered design
- Experience creating data visualizations for the web
- Experience mentoring and guiding more junior developers
- Familiarity or interest in urban planning topics, public policy, and regional planning issues, municipal agencies and Metro Boston communities
Per MAPC COVID-19 Vaccine Policy, all employees must be fully vaccinated. This position will require the selected candidate to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, including up to date boosters. 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 $83,000 – $95,000, depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time exempt position. MAPC offers excellent Massachusetts state employee benefits, a flexible, supportive, and family-friendly work environment and a commitment to 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 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.