PLANNER POLICY & RESEARCH

Responsibilities

• Initiates and completes planning studies, policy analysis and / or research assignments and determines recommendations, and prepares reports for City Council and its Standing Committees.
• Provides support to community planners undertaking reviews of development applications and significant planning studies.
• Assesses, formulates and implements policies and / or programs, which includes drafting amendments to the City's Zoning By-laws to effect an up-to-date regulatory planning framework and undertaking technical review and consolidation of existing and proposed zoning by-laws.
• Develops and implements project plans for work assignments (e.g. preparing terms of reference and study designs to support planning, research and policy studies).
• Balances and delivers on a diverse and challenging work program, while meeting deadlines.
• Develops databases (e.g. compiling and analyzing data in support of planning studies and maintaining public zoning information).
• Identifies issues, assesses the required resources, and develops strategies. Researches current and projected needs for communities and makes recommendations for meeting those needs including implementation strategies.
• Liaises with staff from City Planning and other City departments, citizens, community groups, individuals, property owners, planning professionals such as consultants, planners, solicitors and other stakeholders.
• Represents the City Planning Division by making presentations to the general public, committees of City Council, stakeholders and agencies of local and / or senior governments.
• Advises Divisions on existing and emerging policy matters and provides policy leadership and cooperation.
• Acts as an expert witness on behalf of the City at the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal.

Key Qualifications :

Your application must describe your qualifications as they relate to :

• Post-secondary education in planning, urban geography, or public policy, or in a professional discipline pertinent to the job function, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Considerable experience reviewing and interpreting planning legislation, policy, and regulations and issues affecting municipal planning policy.
• Experience formulating and implementing planning and policy analysis and recommendations while balancing political, community and other stakeholder interests.
• Experience organizing study designs for planning, policy and research studies and / or external consultant studies.
• Experience interpreting and applying zoning regulations and / or other regulations affecting the use and development of property.

You must also have :

• Ability to use critical judgement, analytical thinking and problem solving skills to complete assignments.
• Ability to interpret Zoning By-law regulations.
• Adaptability to prioritize project assignments and perform effectively, working both independently and as part of a team, and ability to be accountable for completing assignments
• Highly developed verbal and written communications skills with the ability to present information to a variety of audiences.
• Proficiency in applying conflict resolution skills in multi-stakeholder situations.
• Prioritization and organization skills to work within and meet tight deadlines.
• Interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and maintain solid internal and external relationships, as well as a customer focus.
• Proficiency with computers and the ability to use software packages relevant to supporting the division's core requirements.
• Applied knowledge of the Planning Act, provincial policies and legislation related to land use planning, as current regulations and evolving policy trends in the City, Occupational Health and Safety Act and other relevant legislation.
• Membership in the Ontario Provincial Planners Institute or another provincial professional planners institute and / or the Canadian Institute of Planners would be an asset.
30+ days ago