CRAIG BEAVERS, AICP Candidate
Urban Planning and Community Development
ABOUT CRAIG
Craig Beavers is an energetic and multi-disciplined municipal planner and community leader based in the Lehigh Valley. Craig has a diverse background and professional training in several different areas. He currently serves as the Acting Director of Planning for Palmer Township in Northampton County, Pennsylvania.
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In his former role, Craig served as the Assistant City Planner and Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Scranton, managing long-range planning initiatives in the fields of climate action, active transportation initiatives, and sustainable land use. An advocate for engagement, Craig has presented to countless numbers of community groups, university classes, and peer professionals to educate and inform others on important issues facing the Scranton community.
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Craig received his B.A. in Administration and a minor in Business from Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania. His coursework focused on administration and event/project management, encompassing professional work in production management, marketing and outreach, finance and budgeting, and non-profit administration. He is currently pursuing a Master in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Florida, with a Certificate in GIS.
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Outside of planning, Craig works in a variety of artistic fields, ranging from technical theater to freelance musician. He professionally performs in various musical ensembles on electric bass, trombone/tuba, and voice, and has held roles as a soloist and featured performer in many ensembles. He toured professionally with jazz ensembles, choir groups, concert bands, and orchestras. He currently lives in Allentown with his partner Cheyenne and cat Bella.
SAMPLE WORK EXPERIENCE
ACTING DIRECTOR OF PLANNING, PALMER TOWNSHIP
May 2023 - Present
- Receives and processes applications for subdivision plans, land development plans, site plans,
conditional uses applications and rezoning requests. Prepares and coordinates the distribution of
applications and plan submissions for review and comment by the Township engineer, solicitor,
consultants, and other Township departments and boards, as necessary.
- Reviews land development, subdivision plans, site plans, conditional use applications and rezoning
requests for compliance with relevant sections of the SALDO, zoning ordinance and
Comprehensive Plan and provides written and verbal reports and recommendations to the Planning
Commission and Board of Supervisors.
- Creates and distributes agendas for monthly Planning Commission meetings, and ensures
attendance of Commission members, applicants, and engineers. Attends Planning Commission
meetings, manages logistical support and provides comments. Oversees preparation of meeting
minutes.
- Schedules planning applications for review by the Board of Supervisors. Attends meetings of the
Board of Supervisors and presents written and verbal reports on the findings of the Planning
Commission.
- Works closely with the Township solicitor and engineer offices to keep track of project statuses
and deadlines for applications, decisions, approvals, outside agency permits, agreements, and
financial securities.
- Coordinates the process of having approved plans and agreements signed and recorded with the
Northampton County Recorder of Deeds.
- Participates in construction meetings and site inspections with developers, contractors, and
Township engineers to ensure compliance with plans, approvals and ordinance requirements.
Tracks statuses of applications, reviews, inspections and site construction activities. Corresponds
by email, telephone or in person with various agencies, applicants, developers, engineers,
attorneys, land use professionals, and other government officials.
- Corresponds and coordinates reviews and discussions with outside agencies such as Lehigh Valley
Planning Commission, LANTA, PennDOT, DEP, Northampton County Conservation District,
Easton Area School District, and adjoining municipalities, as necessary.
Responds to public inquiries and complaints regarding applications, ordinance requirements, and
construction activity.
- Oversees the maintenance of physical and electronic files for subdivision/land developments,
conditional use applications, rezoning requests and recorded plans.
- Researches and recommends amendments to the zoning ordinance, SALDO and other Township
ordinances may which relate to land use and development.
- Communicates with the Township Finance Director concerning management of developer-related
financial accounts, payment of outside consultant bills, tracking escrow account balances and
invoicing for account replenishment, tracking of financial security accounts and letters of credit,
refunds and close-outs of accounts.
- Attends seminars/conferences to improve skills and knowledge and enhance professional growth.
- Coordinates with the Community and Economic Development team on long-term planning
projects.
- Provides information and recommendations to the Township
Manager, other Township departments and Board of Supervisors about
planning or land use projects or issues.
ASSISTANT CITY PLANNER/CLIMATE COORDINATOR, CITY OF SCRANTON
April 2022 - April 2023
Coordinated studies and projects in the preparation and implementation of comprehensive plans, neighborhood plans, and other planning efforts; processed and analyzed data regarding land use, transportation, environmental factors, and other planning related areas.
Oversaw the development and execution of the City’s Climate Action and Sustainability Program, including planning, project identification, policy development, internal and external stakeholder facilitation, and progress tracking; performed Environmental Review Records on behalf of the Department of Community Development; conducted environmental assessments of federally funded projects under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, National Historic Preservation Act, and associated laws, executive order, and regulations.
Developed plans, guidelines, and policies involving urban design and active transportation, including bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, open streets, living alleys, Vision Zero, and similar programs; coordinated education and community involvement opportunities.
Provided technical support in areas of historic preservation, such as serving as staff to HARB, reviewing Certificate of Appropriateness applications and demolition orders, corresponding with the State Historic Preservation Office, implementing design guidelines and historic master plans, and other related activities.
Examined all projects, initiatives, and development plans for their effective on comprehensive and neighborhood plans; provided recommendations and reports as requested for the Planning Commission, Zoning Hearing Board, HARB, Mayor, and/or City Council; explains recommendations to civic organizations and private citizens.
Assisted the City Planner in the preparation and administration of current planning regulations, such as Land Development, Zoning, Floodplain Management, and Stormwater Management.
Worked with and served as staff to Planning Commission, Zoning Hearing Board, Historical Architecture Review Board, and other City Planning and Zoning boards; prepares reports, agendas, and meeting times for monthly meetings.
Managed the City’s GIS database; assists with updating the City website and OpenGov platforms
Attended intra-agency and inter-agency meetings.
Served as a member of various committees.
Performed other duties as required.
MARKETING COORDINATOR, THE THEATER AT NORTH
September 2021 - April 2022
• Worked alongside theater staff to develop and manage marketing and communications campaigns​
• Coordinated media schedules, rates, placement, coverage, etc.​
• Cultivated and maintained relationships with advertising and media partners​
• Worked with graphic designers to create marketing and advertising materials​
• Actively promoted both the theater as well as the theater’s events and performances​
• Spread the word about the theater’s mission and relationship to Goodwill​
• Set and managed an advertising schedule for all events​
• Wrote and distributed press releases, announcements, and other materials for promotion​
• Wrote and edited copy for programs, mailings, newsletters, and digital/print campaigns​
• Worked with renters to assist with advertising rental events​
• Created and distributed engaging social media content​
• Reached and expanded audiences​
EVENT COORDINATOR, MISERICORDIA UNIVERSITY
August 2021 - April 2022
Coordinated and implemented project management and administration for events in Alumni and Development
Maintained event budgets and provided budget reconciliation, and negotiated contracts for artists and vendors
Arranged hospitality, including hotels, lodging, transportation, catering, event space, and printed materials
Supervised and coordinated event staffing, including volunteers, student work crews, and outside contractors
Provided administrative support including, but not limited to, meeting preparation, scheduling meetings, recording meeting minutes, preparing reports, processing purchase order and check requests.
DEPARTMENT SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER, MARYWOOD UNIVERSITY
May 2019 - May 2021
Actively promoted and marketed events and performances in the Performing Arts Center
Wrote and developed engaging social media content, marketing copy, and press released
Created a marketing plan to increase community awareness and event attendance
Developed a new concert series program to publicize university performances
INTERNSHIPS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
November 2024 - Present
AICP Candidate, AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED PLANNERS
Professional certification through the American Institute of Certified Planners awarded after passing a board-certified exam in the areas of Research and Assessment Methods, Fundamental Planning Knowledge, Communication and Interaction, Plan and Policy Development, Plan Implementation, Administration and Management, Leadership, Areas of Practice, and Ethics.
October 2022 - Present
CERTIFIED FLOODPLAIN MANAGER, ASFPM
Professional certification through the Association of State Floodplain Managers awarded after passing a board-certified exam in the areas of Floodplain Mapping, NFIP Regulatory Standards, Regulatory Administrative Procedures, Flood Insurance, Flood Hazard Mitigation, Natural and Beneficial Floodplain Functions, and Overall Context of Floodplain Management.
February 2024 - Present
CERTIFIED ZONING OFFICER, PAAZO
Professional certification through the Pennsylvania Association of Zoning Officials awarded after passing a board-certified exam in the areas of Legal Aspects of Zoning Inspection, Administrative Aspects of Zoning Inspection, Zoning Plan Review, Sign Regulations, and Land Development and Subdivision.
June 2020Â - September 2020
CULTURAL EQUITY LEARNING COMMUNITY PARTICIPANT
Engaged in a 12-week training program, learning how to reduce harm towards Black, Indigenous, queer, trans and person of color arts leaders, increase skill sets and accountability of white arts and culture sector leaders, deeply examine what it means to build anti-racist co-conspiratorship within the sector, and actively build anti-racist arts and culture organizations through compassionate accountability and community.
June 2020
EASTMAN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY PARTICIPANT
EASTMAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC
I was selected to be one of 25 music leaders to participate in this program. Skills I learned include:
Identifying and analyzing the most critical issues and challenges facing musicians and musical arts organizations now and in the future
Developing successful strategies for implementing initiatives designed to meet these challenges
Developing career skills that complement musical skills
Exploring and implementing best practices for effective leadership in music
Understanding the leader’s role in fulfilling the vision of a musical arts organization
Developing skills for building, leading and engaging successful teams
Demonstrating an understanding of the essential operational and business components of musical organizations
EDUCATION
My Studies
August 2023 - Present
MURP - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
Master of Urban and Regional Planning
Certificate in GIS Studies
August 2017 - May 2021
BAÂ - MARYWOOD UNIVERSITY
Major in Administration
Minor in Business
Summa Cum Laude
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Marywood Players - Treasurer
National Association for Music Education - Treasurer
Jazz Educators Network - Event Coordinator
Delta Epsilon Sigma
Alpha Psi Omega
August 2013 - June 2017
NORTH POCONO HIGH SCHOOL
Honors Graduate
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Section Leader - Marching Band
Secretary - Gay Straight Alliance
