Position: Team Leader – Community Planning (Temporary for up to 18 months)
Salary: Grade 8C ($92,019 to $107,649)
Reports to: Division Leader – Community Planning
Purpose of Position:
Reporting to the Division Leader – Community Planning, this position requires advanced professional planning experience of high complexity and variety. The Team Leader – Community Planning will be able to exercise greater independence and a high degree of objectivity, discretion and judgement in decision-making, receiving general supervision from the Division Leader – Community Planning.
The Team Leader – Community Planning will lead larger, more complex planning assignments, supervise, manage the activities and provide leadership and guidance to the Level I Planner and Level II Planner, provide professional planning advice on planning matters, foster a culture of innovation, engagement, collaboration and respect, represent the Municipality at Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) hearings, contribute to planning policy and budget development, and act as staff liaison to Council Committees established as related to the duties of the position.
Qualifications & Experience:
- Minimum 4 year university degree in Planning, or a related field
- Full membership or eligible for full membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners is required
- Minimum of 5 years of professional planning experience in a municipal setting, including 2 years progressive experience in supervising
- Experience with providing professional advice and evidence for judicial or quasi-judicial tribunals of bodies; direct experience preparing for and attending hearings to the Ontario Land Tribunal considered an asset
- Experience working in customer service environment
- Experience in long-range planning policy and related studies, and research supervision
- Extensive experience in development planning
- Must maintain a clear police clearance
- Ability to work independently, combined with well-developed organization and time management skills and the ability to deal effectively with tact, courtesy, discretion and diplomacy with all levels of staff and the public
- Advanced knowledge of the philosophies, principals, practices & techniques of planning
- Well-developed knowledge of the following planning disciplines, such as urban design, affordable housing, economic development, environmental hazards, sustainability, climate change, community improvement, heritage planning and land use etc.
- Knowledge and experience in construction processes
- Knowledge of principles, methodology, practices of research, statistics and data collection
- Knowledge of computer hardware and software programs, which may include Microsoft Office, Internet applications, GIS, Adobe, CityView, interactive web based mapping, laser fiche, general ledger
- Sound working knowledge of the Ontario Planning Act and related Acts, regulations, provincial policies and planning processes and best practices
- Demonstrate effective organizational ability, oral communication, and written communication skills
- Demonstrate effective problem solving skills to solve complex planning problems
- Demonstrate superior communication skills in report writing and presentations
- Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills in dealing with the public, staff, Councillors, committee members, outside groups and agencies
- Demonstrated skill in communicating ideas and concepts and facilitating discussions
- Knowledge of Community Improvement Plan (CIP) legislative framework, policies, procedures and practices
- Thorough knowledge of municipal zoning by-laws and related zoning maps, policies and procedures
- Demonstrate effective multitasking skills to manage several projects or issues simultaneously and meet firm deadlines
- Demonstrate ability to provide effective supervision and mentor other planning staff members
- Knowledge of legal documents and surveys
- Perform advanced professional planning expertise to a variety of planning assignments
- Manage complex planning studies, development applications and reviews consultant proposals
- Review and process complex comprehensive official plan amendments, re-zonings, site plans, plans of condominium or subdivision
- Support the Division Leader in the review and verification of contract expenditures and compliance
- Conduct research and prepares statistical reports on land use, physical, social & economic issues
- Perform field inspections to gather data relevant to the development review process and/or to verify that development projects comply with approved plans
- Schedule and conduct meetings with staff, the development industry and the public and outside agencies
- Present reports and other findings to staff, Committees and Council and serves as senior liaison to such committees such as the Committee of Adjustment
- Attend substantial number of evening and weekend meetings (Council, Committees, public consultations, Public Information Sessions, etc.)
- Explore development options and facilitating the resolution of issues arising during the planning process that require in-depth attention and a higher level of involvement dealing directly with applicants, stakeholders and internal and external agencies
- Conduct information/data gathering and research as assigned
- Facilitate development proposals through the development approvals process including liaising with affected stakeholders
- Provide planning related information and advice to internal and external bodies and agencies and the general public
- Conduct/coordinate interdepartmental and public consultation processes
- Prepare and present oral and written reports and makes presentations as directed
- Prepare and present expert evidence at Ontario Land Tribunal
- Undertake planning related special projects and studies as directed and assists in the development and implementation of planning policy and regulation
- Assist Leaders with development of planning studies and reports in support of new policy directions, programs and regulations
- Provide technical planning advice and information, to the public, applicants, internal departments, and government agencies
- Ensure Planning regulatory requirements are achieved, and resolve resident inquires and concerns
- Finalize draft documents including but not limited to by-laws, subdivision and site plan agreements, official plan and zoning by-law amendments, minutes, notices and decisions
- Evaluate summary of comments from within the Municipality for rezoning applications, site plans, variances and other land use proposals
- Prepare Council reports and by-laws
- Provide budget feedback to leaders as required
- Comment on and respond to the public on conceptual site plans and development proposals at the front counter or on the phone as required
- Keep abreast of updates to the Ontario Planning Act as required and other relevant statues, regulations and policies
- Assist the Division Leader with development and delivery of long-range planning and growth management projects including policy preparation, best practices research, implementation, public consultation, and monitoring. More specifically:
- Official Plan review, Zoning By-law review, planning approval policies, community plans, preparation of secondary plans, etc.
- Participate in preparing, implementing and monitoring of growth management policies and processes which include population projections, land needs assessment, provision of adequate municipal services, housing.
- Participate in the review of Master Plans prepared for the municipality including Water and Wastewater and Parks and Recreation Master Plans.
- Support the Division Leader by providing advice on the preparation of the County Official Plan, review of background reports and policy relating to growth management in the County as well as participating in associated committees and workshops.
- Review and provide comments on studies submitted to support development applications
- Perform other duties as assigned
- Work is performed under the general direction of the Division Leader.
- Works within established guidelines, policies, procedures, directives, bylaws and legislation.
- Displays good judgement and political acuity when dealing with members of Council, developers, members of the media and residents.
- Supervise, plan, prioritize and assign work for Planner I, Planner II and Planning Coop Students staff. This may be subject to change pending expansion in this division.
- Responsible for recruitment, training, and performance management of Planner I, Planner II and Planning Coop students staff.
- Sitting, standing
- Manual dexterity to operate a computer
- Daily contact with Division Leader and other office staff, other departments
- Daily contact with customers, provincial ministries, County of Essex as the Upper Tier approval authority to planning applications, Conservation Authorities, Utilities, School Boards, lawyers, contractors, professionals, and for exchanging information
Environment
- Works within an office environment
- Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (35 hours per week).
- Occasionally working outside these hours for Public Open Houses, Council meetings, etc.
- Occasional may be requested to work beyond normal office hours subject to the employee’s consent in order to meet deadlines
- Overtime is capped at 35 hours of time off in lieu.
Core Competencies
Accuracy and attention to detail Technical knowledge Self-motivated
Cooperation Professionalism Problem Solving
Prioritization Investigation and research Multitasking