City of Coquitlam

PLANNING TECHNICIAN 1

Regular Full Time & Temporary Full Time (1 year)

About Us

One of BC’s Top Employers, the City of Coquitlam offers meaningful career opportunities to make a difference within the local community.  As the sixth largest city in BC, we are home to more than 150,000 residents. Our diverse municipality is a great place to work as it continues to grow through innovative urban design, inspiring arts, culture and recreation programs, and state-of-the-art transportation systems. Our brand is built on managing our resources in a responsible and sustainable manner, while supporting a vibrant, growing regional urban centre.  We envision a bright future in Coquitlam that we hope includes you!

About You / What We Are Looking For

Are you an early career urbanist, who wants to help shape the future of the City? The City of Coquitlam is currently recruiting for one regular full-time and one temporary full-time Planning Technician 1 to join our team of professionals in the Development Planning Division of the Planning and Development Department. These are unionized positions.

Working with a Senior Planner, your responsibilities will focus on processing development applications. This work will include moderately complex technical and administrative tasks related to examining and checking plans and development applications for compliance with the City’s Zoning Bylaw, Official Community Plan and other relevant bylaws and policies. You will discuss your work with senior staff, clarify problem areas and make recommendations for revisions. You will also provide assistance and support on complex development applications and communicate bylaw requirements and related policies to homeowners, developers, the general public, internal departments and external agencies. You will conduct research, prepare background material and prepare reports on various planning topics; participate in public consultation events; and provide assistance to senior staff as required. 

Minimum Qualifications

The ideal candidate should possess a diploma or university degree in planning or a related discipline, supplemented by technical courses related to the work, plus sound related experience, preferably in a municipal government setting, or an equivalent combination of training and experience. The ideal candidate should demonstrate: 

• Knowledge of Zoning Bylaws, Official Community Plans, and the Local Government Act. 
• Sound knowledge of planning principles. 
• Knowledge of research, statistical and analytical principles/practices. 
• Sound knowledge of department, political functions, objectives, policies and procedures. 
• Proven experience in customer service. 
• Ability to interpret moderately complex technical information, policies and procedures and explain them to the public. 
• Ability to read, understand and interpret various construction plans and specifications. 
• Ability to conduct accurate and independent research in support of planning issues and be able to analyze, interpret and make recommendations based on information obtained. 
• Ability to use software applications such as Adobe Creative Suite, Bluebeam, AutoCAD, ArcGIS, and Sketch-Up would be considered an asset. 
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in written form, to prepare and present reports and maintain records. 
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment. 
• Ability to function as part of a team.

What We Offer:

This CUPE position has an hourly rate range of $39.12 - $46.06 (2024 rates). The rate of pay is based on a variety of factors including qualifications, knowledge, experience and skills. 

You will have the chance to join a rapidly growing and diverse team dedicated to supporting the local community, and be able to engage in variety of learning and development opportunities. Additionally, there is an opportunity to participate in an earned day off program. This position is based in Coquitlam with some flexible, hybrid work options available. The City offers an attractive vacation and extended benefits package, including the ability to contribute to the Municipal Pension Plan.

Accessibility / Equal Opportunity Employer 

The City of Coquitlam is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer working towards enhancing equitable practices in our recruitment and retention processes. As an organization we are committed to creating an inclusive work environment to support our growing and diverse work force. To learn more about what equity, diversity, and inclusion means, and the City’s efforts in support of these principles, please visit coquitlam.ca/edi for more information.

If at any time during the application or recruitment process you require additional assistance or an accommodation, please contact our team for confidential support. Staff can also provide in-person support if required. 

Applicants under consideration may be required to undergo a police information check (with no adverse reports). 

Good people make Coquitlam great, sign up for career alerts through our recruitment portal to stay up to date about opportunities within our team, or follow us on LinkedIn to learn more about how #YouCouldWorkHere too!

Please apply online at www.coquitlam.ca/careers by 11:55 pm on February 16th, 2024. 

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.