City of Vancouver

The City of Vancouver is striving to become the greenest city in the world, and a city powered entirely by renewable energy before 2050. We are proud to be one of BC's Top Employers, Canada's Best Diversity Employers, and one of Canada's Greenest Employers. With employees that have helped Vancouver consistently rank as one of the world's most livable cities, the City values a diverse workforce which represents the vibrant community we so proudly serve.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

Main Purpose and Function

The position primarily works on rezoning applications and major planning projects throughout the city. The work is complex professional city planning work in the investigation and development of solutions with regard to planning matters. The position is responsible for reviewing major rezoning applications and for advising on and preparing policy, zoning and guidelines. The position may also work as part of other major planning projects or areas within Planning, Urban Design and Sustainability as required.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

This position will report to a Senior Planner within the Rezoning Centre, Planning, Urban Design and Sustainability. The position is responsible for leading and coordinating the work of an interdepartmental team of professionals and technical support staff. The work will require interaction across Planning, Urban Design and Sustainability and other City Departments. Other key contacts include the public, developers and their consultants. 

This position: 

• Responds to public enquiries regarding rezoning potential, and reviews, evaluates and processes rezoning applications from enquiry through to enactment.
• Supervises professional and technical support staff.
• Establishes collaborative working relationships with community organizations, businesses, residents, property owners, developers and other stakeholders.
• Manages the public consultation process; designs, attends and facilitates community events that could include community. forums, public engagement, workshops and meetings (including weekday evenings and weekends).
• Co-ordinates and synthesizes input from internal and external review groups and members of the public.
• Advises and negotiates with applicants.
• Presents complex material and information to staff, the public and City Council.
• Prepares rezoning and other complex reports for Council; drafts proposed by-law amendments.
• Prepares and manages work programs.
• Advises on and prepares policy, zoning and guidelines for area planning initiatives.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• A graduate degree in planning recognised by the Canadian Institute of Planners
• Minimum of two years professional experience in the planning field in either municipal experience undertaking rezoning and development application review or private sector experience preparing rezoning and development applications, preferably supplemented by supervisory experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities 

• Considerable knowledge of urban planning, architecture or related fields of study, and a working knowledge of other subjects applicable to planning work.
• Considerable knowledge of several of the following as they relate to planning: urban design, social sciences, law, economics, development practices and municipal finance.
• Considerable knowledge and understanding of governmental structures and systems.
• Good knowledge of sources of information and external resources.
• Ability to perform fairly difficult technical research and prepare reports independently.
• Ability to be creative and use sound judgment.
• Ability to supervise staff.
• Ability to organize and coordinate projects.
• Ability to communicate ideas and make recommendations to governmental officials.
• Ability to act in a coordinating capacity internally within the department and with City officials and other interested groups including citizen groups.
• Ability to lead a participatory public consultation process and to negotiate and mediate among various interest groups on potentially contentious issues.
• Ability to exercise considerable judgment and demonstrate professionalism, diplomacy, tact and discretion.
• A working knowledge of the City’s Zoning and Development By-law, Official Development Plans and Policies and Guidelines, plus a broad knowledge of City services, programs and processes.
• Demonstrated effective analytical skills and written communication and public speaking skills.
• Knowledge of land use, urban design, and policy issues facing the City of Vancouver are important and necessary assets.
• Demonstrated experience in urban design and community planning and the ability to prepare design guidelines and policy documents and to produce and communicate with visual material are also required.
• Demonstrable skills and proven ability in the following software are requirements: word processing (Word), quantitative analysis (Excel), presentations (PowerPoint), preparation of visual materials (Adobe Creative Suite), and Urban Design Analysis (SketchUp), and MapInfo.
• Membership or eligibility for membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners is desirable.

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

Affiliation: CUPE15 

Employment Type: Temporary Full Time 

Number of Positions: 2

Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-031: $47.82 to $56.57 per hour

Application Close: September 14, 2018

Requisition ID: 11742 & 11838

Please APPLY here: https://jobs.vancouver.ca/job/Vancouver-Planner-II-%28Current-Planning%29-Brit/501924100/?locale=en_US

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion.