Small Housing

Small Housing is a non-profit organization working to accelerate the uptake of gentle density housing throughout British Columbia and Canada. From laneway homes to houseplexes, pocket neighbourhoods to infill rowhomes – Small Housing has been a strong and steady voice for Gentle Density Housing (GDH), working at the intersection between policy, planning, and practice.    

With groundbreaking legislation passed, and significant policy and regulatory changes made in recent years, the momentum is building.  Small Housing has worked hard to build awareness of gentle density as an option for delivering the communities of our future—ones that are more sustainable, affordable, and vibrant. Despite challenging market conditions, governments at all levels are exploring and enabling gentle density housing options, and industry is coming to the table with innovative solutions and capacity. There is still much more to be done to make gentle density a widespread reality in our communities, and Small Housing is rolling up our sleeves to bridge those gaps. 

The Senior Planner role is a key member of the organization and will act as a subject matter expert to develop and communicate professional knowledge of GDH, support innovation in both the government and development sectors, and enable the growth of GDH supply.   
 
Our ideal candidate is passionate about catalyzing gentle density housing options in residential communities across Canada and has a track record of driving innovative or transformative initiatives within their planning practice.  We are seeking a candidate with a strong knowledge of local government planning principles, current planning practices, exposure to and/or experience in local government advising, and previous work with industry actors and/or on cross-disciplinary teams.  

If you are a results-oriented team player who thrives in a fast-paced, small-team environment, then you may be a fit. A competitive salary ($120,000 - $125,000) and comprehensive benefit package are offered.  

Qualifications 

• Graduate degree, or equivalent, in Planning or other related discipline 
• Minimum of 7-8 years experience working in a local government setting and/or government consulting position, or in combination with development or other related sector experience 
• Progressively responsible professional planning experience with an emphasis on development planning 
• Planning experience in British Columbia; additional experience in other provinces is a strong asset 
• Registered Professional Planner (RPP) designation an asset 

Specific Duties and Responsibilities 

• Technical and strategic support services to municipal clients for policy development, zoning and regulatory reform, approvals process updating, pre-reviewed design programs, and other initiatives that enable gentle density housing 
• Research, writing, and tool development (comparative policy analysis, how-to guides, dynamic resources) 
• Project management and oversight of consultant teams  
• Delivery of education and engagement sessions (webinars, presentations, peer-to-peer online discussions) to build capacity across the planning sector and related professions 
• Facilitation of cross-sector technical tables to address GDH implementation challenges  
• Advising on pilot and demonstration project development, with industry and municipal partners 
• Acting as a subject matter expert to advance policy and regulatory changes at various levels of government  
• Performing other related duties/responsibilities as assigned 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Thorough knowledge of municipal planning legislation, policies, and regulations including the Local Government Act, Official Community Plans, zoning bylaws, and development permit guidelines 
• Knowledge of development approval processes, building permitting processes, infrastructure servicing, and interdepartmental coordination 
• Understanding of development feasibility, pro forma considerations, and development cost drivers    
• Familiarity with design and site planning principles for gentle density  
• Ability to understand and respond to legal opinions and government policy documents 
• Familiarity with municipal governance processes and council decision-making frameworks 
• Ability to deal tactfully on political issues and present professional recommendations and advice to various levels of elected officials and public audiences 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to make complex concepts digestible to a variety of audiences 
• Consultation and facilitation skills 
• Experience with detailed project scoping and work planning, time and budget estimation, project management, and contract administration 
• Ability to work remotely, and travel for in-person staff sessions and external meetings and events 

Additional Skills and Knowledge that would be useful, but not required 

• GIS analysis 
• Land use economics 
• Digital permitting systems 
• Prefabrication/ modular building literacy 

What to Expect: 

Reports to: Co-Executive Lead, Planning Innovation 

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, full-time, flexible, occasional evenings

Location: Remote, with some travel 

Applications will be reviewed and candidates will be contacted on a rolling basis to facilitate hiring the role as soon as possible. Candidates can expect the process to move along the following path: 

1. Telephone introduction and screening - 30 minutes 
2. First Interview - online interview with brief presentation; 60 minutes; questions provided in advance 
3. Second Interview - online interview; 60 minutes; questions provided in advance 
4. Reference checks 
5. Final hiring decision