Planner Jobs

Job Details:

Full-Time (CUPE 1329)

Posting Status:

Current area of focus: 2 Development, 1 Policy, 1 Environmental

This posting is open to current Town of Oakville employees and external applicants

Closing Date:

Applications for this position must be received at oakville.ca in the employment section by no later than 11:59 pm on May 8, 2023.

We offer:

• A hybrid work schedule

• A defined benefit pension plan (OMERS)

• Comprehensive health plan complemented by life and disability insurance

• A progressive work environment that promotes a work/life balance and strives to be a great place for great people to do great things

Reporting to the Manager, Planning – Planning Services, Planners provide advice and direction on a variety of planning, development, policy, and growth issues, and which may include:

• Undertake work on cultural heritage planning matters.
• Undertaking planning work related to policy research, formulation, and implementation;
• Processing, evaluating and making recommendations on development proposals and applications;
• Environmental planning duties, including technical review of development applications and advising on environmental-related matters;

Job Responsibilities:

• Reviews, evaluates and presents the town’s planning position through reports and studies before Town Council, including various committees, agencies, municipalities, ministries, Boards, Tribunals and the general public.
• Works with minimal supervision, examining, analyzing and evaluating development applications for conformity to legislation, as well as resolve conflicts on planning and development matters through negotiation and mediation.
• Liaise with Conservation Authority partners on various matters including co-ordination of development applications, town studies, and other related material.
• Provides assistance and advice to other planners on policy proposals and development applications;
• Establishes a co-ordinated position working with other departments and agencies on various planning matters including the Planning District teams.
• Recommends and prepares amendments to the Oakville Official Plan(s) and Zoning By-law(s).
• Co-ordinates projects with Strategic business staff and/or clerical staff.
• Works with minimal supervision, examining, analyzing and evaluating a wide range of development applications including but not limited to plans of subdivision, plans of condominium, Official Plan and Zoning by-law amendments, site plan applications, part lot control exemptions, as well as Committee of Adjustment applications (variances and consents).
• Performs other duties and special projects as assigned.
• Provides expert planning opinion before the Ontario Land Tribunal and other tribunals.
• Reviews and evaluates planning studies, policies, and programs, and provides comments and recommendations to Council and various authorities.
• Develops and facilitates public and stakeholder engagement of planning applications, projects and policy matters as well as natural heritage planning matters, both related to development applications, but also furthering public knowledge and understanding of the natural environment.
• Review and manage Environmental-related studies and reports such as Subwatershed Studies, Subwatershed Impact Studies and Environmental Implementation Reports and Environmental Assessments
• Prepares and presents reports and studies with recommendations on a wide range of policy planning matters for consideration by Town Council;
• Composes and delivers written and oral reports to municipal officials, the public, Committees and Council.
• Resolves conflicts on planning and development matters through negotiation and mediation.
• Working in a collaborative, professional team environment, interprets and provides advice on the Town’s Official Plan(s), Zoning By-law(s), the Planning Act, Ontario Heritage Act and other planning related legislation.
• Works directly with consultants on planning studies;
• Undertakes background research and analysis which may include land use, growth management, demographic, economic, environmental, cultural heritage, development-related issues, climate change, natural heritage, environmental, ecological, biological, and water resource-related issues.;
• Monitors, evaluates and responds to existing and emerging Provincial, Regional and other planning initiatives.
• Provides assistance to persons inquiring about various planning matters.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to address planning applications which require the resolution of technical issues.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a team member, and has excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to respond to multiple, conflicting and shifting priorities and deadlines.
• The ability to think strategically, problem solve, negotiate and mediate to resolve conflicts is essential.
• Experience in providing expert testimony at the Ontario Land Tribunal.
• Working knowledge of Planning Act and other provincial legislation (i.e. Condominium Act, Municipal Act) and provincial policies.
• The successful candidate is able to foster and sustain positive internal and external relationships.
• A post-secondary degree in Planning, or a related discipline such as Geography, Environmental Studies, combined with at least three years of relevant experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills, able to present complex issues to a variety of audiences, with attention to detail.
• Essential for the candidate to be flexible and capable of working extra hours, attend evening meetings,
• Strong preference for Membership in OPPI (or eligible for full membership); full membership in Canadian Institute of Planners would be considered an asset.
• A solid understanding of legislation, policy and implementation instruments is required and the ability to interpret and understand technical reports and drawings, and relate them to Provincial, Conservation Authority, and Town policies
• The successful candidate will be required to supply their own personal vehicle for performing job duties and corporate business

Additional preferred qualifications for Planner with environmental focus:

• Working knowledge of agriculture, forestry principles, trails management, karst topography, and climate change are assets.
• Identification skills of native and invasive species in Ontario, including knowledge of federal and provincial species at risk.
• Working knowledge of Conservation Authorities Act, Environmental Assessment Act, Provincial Policy Statement and Provincial Plans, and other related environmental / Provincial legislation, plans and policies.
• Strong working knowledge of current biological/ecological protocols or industry standards (i.e., Ontario Wetland Evaluation System and Ecological Land Classification), as well as the natural resources of watersheds, ecological principles, terrestrial assessment techniques.
• Knowledge of fish, wildlife, and natural habitat monitoring and inventory techniques including equipment and tools.

DATED: April 17, 2023

This job profile reflects the general requirements necessary to perform the principal functions of the job. This does not include all of the work requirements of the job. Applicants are required to demonstrate through their application and in the interview process that their qualifications match those specified. The minimum threshold score for the interview is 75%.

We thank all applicants and advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.