Planner II - Housing Projects - REPOST

Main Purpose and Function

The Housing Projects Planner II position in the Housing Policy and Regulation Division is primarily responsible for advancing the delivery of affordable and social housing projects through the City’s planning and development approvals processes.

This position will work to secure affordable and social housing through major planning projects and development applications throughout the city.

The position is also responsible for the implementation of the City’s Tenant Relocation and Protection Policy. The position will contribute to delivering on the City’s new Housing Vancouver Strategy objectives and targets.

The work involves supervising junior staff and supporting the overall work of the team. This includes reviewing complex rezoning and development permit applications and preparing policy, zoning and guidelines for individual projects and area planning initiatives.

The position will require a range of professional and technical competencies.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Review and implement housing policies and strategies aimed at expanding the affordable and social housing stock in Vancouver
• Implement inclusionary housing policies, such as the Rezoning Policy for Sustainable Large Developments and inclusionary policies in recently adopted community plans (e.

g. West End, Cambie Corridor, Downtown Eastside)

• Implement the Tenant Relocation and Protection policy both City wide policies and the Broadway Plan specific tenant policies
• Provide technical analysis and coordination to support complex negotiations as part of the community amenity and public benefits process to secure on-site affordable and social housing
• Establish collaborative working relationships with a wide range of internal departments (e.g. Real Estate Services, Law, Finance, Social Policy, Engineering) and external stakeholders, such as community organizations, property owners, non-profit and co-op housing groups, senior government agencies, and the development industry
• Lead Housing input into proposed social, co-op and private rental projects, with the aim of facilitating the delivery of affordable housing that contributes to Housing Vancouver targets
• Prepare and manage work programs, including supervising other professional and technical staff and external consultants including reviews of economic and financial pro forma analysis
• Report writing, including complex Council reports; presenting complex material to staff, senior management, the public and City Council
• Develop and lead collaborative engagement and communication processes with internal and external partners and the public that includes designing, attending and facilitating public processes in a sometimes contentious environment (including weekday evenings and weekends)
• Employ a continuous improvement approach to the delivery of data collection and analysis, using a range of qualitative and quantitative techniques to enable effective implementation of housing projects and robust assessment of outcomes
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education and Experience :

• A post-secondary degree in Planning recognized by the Canadian Institute of Planners or related studies combined with considerable experience in and commitment to developing affordable housing
• Knowledge of current housing and tenant policies of the City of Vancouver and other levels of government, as well as municipal development approval processes and regulations
• Considerable professional planning experience, preferably supplemented by supervisory experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Familiarity with rezoning processes and a working knowledge of zoning and land-use regulations, land development economics and urban design principles is strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

• Strong knowledge of social and affordable housing legislative and policy context
• Strong knowledge of tenant protection policies
• Knowledge of development approvals processes in the Lower Mainland from feasibility through to completion and occupancy
• Understanding of development proforma and the implications for affordable housing projects, particularly the relationship between viability and affordability.
• Up to date knowledge of social, economic, political, technological, demographic and environmental trends, factors and issues related to housing needs of different groups in Vancouver and Metro area
• An in-depth knowledge of the factors affecting housing supply and demand, including land use planning, land and development economics, social safety net policies, and income distribution
• Ability to perform planning research and assess option feasibility through financial and social policy analysis
• Experience working with homeless residents, low-income and affordable housing communities is an asset
• Strong organizing and project management skills
• Strong communication skills (oral and written), including the ability to clearly articulate complex planning information to a variety of internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other staff, professionals, non-profit organizations, advocacy groups and the public
• Ability to supervise staff assigned to various projects and direct the work of consultants engaged on planning projects
• Ability to exercise considerable judgment and demonstrate professionalism, diplomacy, tact and discretion
• Demonstrated effective analytical skills and verbal and written communication skills including, writing and public speaking skills
• Ability to lead a participatory public consultation process and to negotiate and mediate among various interest groups on potentially contentious issues
• Ability to adjust to a complex organizational structure with shifting priorities on highly politicized issues
• Demonstrable skills and proven ability in the following software : word processing (Word), quantitative analysis (Excel), presentations (PowerPoint)
• Membership or eligibility for membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners is desirable.
• Ability to meet transportation requirements

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work remotely 1 4 days a week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite.

At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

Business Unit / Department : Planning, Urban Design & Sustainability (1275)