Senior Planner - Policy (202657)
Reporting to the Director of Planning Policy, you will be responsible for policy research and formulation, and the project management of a broad range of municipally initiated planning projects.
Description:
You are a professional planner who has excellent communication skills, a strong command of the fundamentals of professional planning along with several years of experience and a desire to work in a collaborative, positive team environment where you can make a difference and continue to grow your career.
Accountabilities:
- Project management, coordination, and administration of a broad range of municipally initiated growth management and policy projects, including managing the activities of consultants
- Providing professional planning advice on matters related to various policy projects to customers, other Departments, agencies, Senior Management, Town Council, Town Committees, and associated boards/committees in accordance with obligations and competencies specified as a professional planner certified to practice in the Province of Ontario
- Preparing detailed planning reports to Council on policy matters, and attending Council meetings to present/explain these reports including formal presentations
- Preparing Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments establishing Town-wide land use policy and regulatory standards, and conducting policy research as required
- Providing policy analysis on Provincial and Regional planning initiatives in terms of implications for the Town’s programs and strategic objectives
- Researching and preparing policy planning studies
- Developing effective public consultation programs for policy planning initiatives
- Developing tabular and spatial planning information to support policy planning, and providing value-added information to other departments for planning purposes
- Attending on-site, off-site, virtual, and evening meetings to represent the Town as required, including inter-agency committees and reporting to the Director of Planning Policy
- Attending Ontario Land Tribunal hearings and other hearings conducted under Provincial legislation on behalf of the Town, providing oral and written evidence, and defending the same under cross-examination
- Mentoring of other Policy and Planning staff
- Special Projects assigned by the Director of Planning Policy
- Other job-related duties as assigned
Qualifications:
- Ten years of land use planning experience, preferably in a municipal environment
- Four-Year University Degree in Urban & Regional Planning or a related field
- Membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners and O.P.P.I as a Registered Professional Planner (RPP)
- In-depth knowledge of Provincial, Regional, and Conservation Authority planning.
- Specific knowledge/expertise in environmental planning an asset.
- Proven project management experience leading the preparation and coordination of policy projects such as Official Plan Reviews, Secondary Plans, and Scoped Subwatershed Studies.
- Ability to undertake complex assignments with minimal supervision
- Effective time management/organizational skills to prioritize competing tasks, conflicting due dates and meet legislated and corporate timelines
- Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills including presentation skills and ability to present evidence at the Ontario Land Tribunal, other Boards and Committees and in Court on planning matters
- Ability to formulate/develop sound planning policy to guide Council decision-making that is defensible at the Ontario Land Tribunal
- Strong dispute resolution and negotiation skills to balance divergent interests in the planning process
- Ability to think creatively and use ingenuity to resolve unique problems pertaining to policy formulation matters
- Excellent researching and statistical analysis skills.
- Ability to utilize computer software as necessary, including MS Word, Excel, Access and Power Point at an intermediate level and ArcGIS skills considered an asset
Position Details:
This posting is for an existing vacancy.
Compensation:
The salary for this position (35 hours per week) is $113,709 - $135,367 per annum.
Location:
This position allows for a blend of working onsite and remotely based on the needs of the business.
Application:
Qualified candidates may submit a detailed cover letter and resume in confidence to the Town by 4:30 p.m., October 1, 2026. Please quote Posting 202657 on your cover letter.