Development Officer

Lac Ste. Anne County; Sangudo; Hybrid; CAD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local authorities pension plan (LAPP)

Job summary

Lac Ste. Anne County is seeking a Development Officer to provide professional planning services with emphasis on current planning, development review, and policy implementation.

The role supports compliance with MGA, LUB, and statutory plans while assisting with land use planning across the County. Key duties include handling development and subdivision applications, coordinating with internal staff and the public, and preparing documents and reports aligned with County goals.

Qualifications

• Completion of an Applied Land Use Planning Certificate or equivalent.
• Minimum of 2-3 years of planning experience, preferably within a municipal environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide planning information to residents, landowners, developers, and stakeholders.
• Review, evaluate, and process development permit applications for compliance with MGA, LUB, statutory plans, and County policies.
• Assist in pre-application meetings with applicants, developers, and consultants.
• Functions as Development Authority (as delegated) for development permit decisions.
• Provide subdivision information and guidance to internal staff, applicants, and the public.
• Function as Development Authority (as delegated) for subdivision permit decisions.
• Lead and support planning projects, including statutory plans, policy development, and special initiatives.
• Coordinate project planning, interdepartmental coordination, and consultant management where required.
• Prepare planning documents, Development Agreements, reports, and recommendations aligned with County policies and objectives.
• Prepare and register land titles documents with Alberta Land Titles.

Skills

Planning knowledge

Regulatory frameworks

Project management

Interpersonal skills

ArcGIS

Education

Applied Land Use Planning Certificate

Tools

ArcGIS

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Development Officer is responsible for delivering professional planning services, with a focus on current planning, development review, and policy implementation.

This position supports the Manager in administering Part 17 of the Municipal Government Act (MGA), the County’s Land Use Bylaw, and statutory planning documents. The role assists with compliance, development applications, subdivision applications, supports planning projects, and provides technical and administrative assistance in land use planning.

This position contributes to interdepartmental coordination, supports stakeholder engagement, and helps ensure development aligns with County objectives, legislation, and approved plans.

Duties and Responsibilities

Customer Service & Advisory Role

• Provide planning information to residents, landowners, developers, and stakeholders.
• Deliver high‑quality responsive and professional customer service related to land use, development permits, subdivision, municipal property matters, and planning processes.
• Assist with resolving non‑compliance issues or concerns in a responsive and professional manner.

Development Application Review

• Provide general planning information and guidance to internal staff, applicants, and the public.
• Review, evaluate, and process development permit applications for compliance with the Municipal Government Act, Land Use Bylaw, statutory plans, and County policies and function as Development Authority (as delegated) for development permit decisions.
• Assist in pre‑application meetings with applicants, developers, and consultants.
• Functions as the Planning & Development Assistant as required by the Manager of Planning and Development.

Subdivision & Natural Resource Extraction Application Review

• Provide subdivision information and guidance to internal staff, applicants, and the public.
• Function as Development Authority (as delegated) for subdivision permit decisions.
• Review, evaluate, and process subdivision applications for compliance with the Municipal Government Act, Land Use Bylaw, statutory plans, and County policies.
• Assist the Senior Planner with the review, evaluation, and processing of Natural Resource Extraction applications for compliance with the Municipal Government Act, Land Use Bylaw, statutory plans, and County policies.
• Assist in pre‑application meetings with applicants, developers, and consultants.
• Lead and support planning projects, including statutory plans (e.g., MDP, ASPs etc.), policy development, and special initiatives.
• Coordinate project planning, interdepartmental coordination, and consultant management where required.
• Prepare planning documents, Development Agreements, reports, and recommendations aligned with County policies and objectives.
• Ensure the provision of administrative and operational support services as it applies to the Safety Codes Act with respect to Lac Ste. Anne County Quality Management Plan.
• Prepare and register land titles documents (e.g., endorsements, caveats, discharges) with Alberta Land Titles.

Project Support & Planning Initiatives

• Provide research, analysis, and administrative support for planning projects, including statutory plans (e.g., MDP, ASPs), and policy development initiatives.
• Support data collection, background research, and report preparation for planning studies and projects.
• Assist in preparing planning documents, reports, and recommendations aligned with County goals.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders on land use planning and development initiatives.
• Coordinate internal and external circulation of planning applications and projects.
• Assist in the coordination of engagement with internal departments, external agencies, developers, and the public.
• Communicate planning information clearly and professionally to a variety of audiences.
• Participate in public meetings, open houses, and engagement sessions as required.
• Provide input into planning processes, policy development, and land use optimization strategies.

Compliance & Regulatory Support

• Review, evaluate and process certificates of compliance applications based on current Land Use Bylaw, statutory plans, and County policies.
• Support compliance monitoring activities and collaborate with enforcement staff where required.
• Identify encroachments, unauthorized use, or hazards on private and municipal lands.
• Provide input into bylaw amendments, planning policies, and process improvements.
• Provide administrative and operational support services as it applies to the Safety Codes Act with respect to the Lac Ste. Anne County Quality Management Plan.

Records Management & Administration

• Prepare reports, correspondence, and documentation for Council, Municipal Planning Commission, and appeal boards.
• Maintain accurate planning records, files, and databases.
• Support continuous improvement of planning processes and systems.

Other Duties

• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Planning & Development Manager.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Completion of an Applied Land Use Planning Certificate or equivalent.
• Minimum of 2-3 years of progressively responsible planning experience, preferably within a municipal environment.

Skills & Attributes:

• Strong knowledge of land use planning principles, development processes, and regulatory frameworks in Alberta.
• Ability to interpret and apply legislation, bylaws, and statutory plans.
• Working knowledge of Alberta Land Titles registration processes.
• Demonstrated project management and organizational skills.
• Attention to detail, strong analytical, research, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build effective working relationships, with the ability to convey complex information clearly.
• Ability to interpret legal agreements, maps, plans, and statutory documents.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a demanding environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with geographic information systems software (ArcGIS) is an asset.

Preferred Skills

• Experience in a municipal or public sector environment.
• Familiarity with statutory planning documents, with statutory planning, including Municipal Development Plans (MDPs), Area Structure Plans (ASPs), and policy development, and Land Use Bylaw.
• Experience with Alberta Land Titles registrations.
• Experience managing complex development applications and planning projects.
• Membership in, or eligibility for, the Registered Professional Planner (RPP) or Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) designation is an asset.

Conditions of Employment

• Membership or eligibility for membership in the Alberta Development Officers Association (ADOA).
• Membership or eligibility for membership in the Community Planners Association of Alberta (CPAA).
• Valid Alberta Class 5 Driver’s License with an acceptable driver’s abstract.
• Satisfactory Criminal Record Check.

Working Conditions

• This is a full‑time, permanent position working 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
• Standard working hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Office Work: The position is based in a professional, business‑casual office environment, requiring extended periods of sitting, use of a computer, and regular interaction with staff, elected officials, and the public.
• Field Work: Occasional site visits and attendance at public meetings or engagement sessions.
• Flexibility is required based on operational needs, including occasional evenings for meetings or public engagement.

Compensation

• Participation in Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP)

• Location Lac Ste. Anne County Administrative Office, located at 56521 Range Road 65, Sangudo, AB