Development Planner 2

Canadian Institute of Planners; New Westminster; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

City of New Westminster is seeking an experienced Planner 2 to join the Planning and Development team. You will lead complex development reviews, coordinate with multiple departments, and guide projects through the City's review process.

The role requires a Master's in Urban Planning and CIP membership eligibility, strong communication and negotiation skills, and a collaborative approach to shaping housing, amenities, and sustainable urban design in a hybrid work environment.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Urban Planning or related discipline.
• CIP membership eligibility.
• Experience in development planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead the review and processing of complex development applications.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary reviews with internal departments and external partners.
• Prepare planning reports, bylaw amendments, and Council recommendations.
• Help develop and improve planning policies, regulations, and development review processes.
• Participate in negotiations related to community amenities and development agreements.
• Provide planning advice to applicants, City staff, and the public.
• Present projects and recommendations to Council and advisory committees.
• Mentor junior planning staff and contribute to a collaborative team.
• Lead updates to key development bylaws, policies, and processes.
• Support Land Use and Housing Planning with policy creation and updates.
• Pursue continuous improvement initiatives for development planning practices and customer service.

Skills

Communication

Relationship-building

Collaboration

Negotiation

Customer service

Facilitation

Education

Master’s degree in Urban Planning

CIP membership eligibility

Job description

The City of New Westminster has earned a proud reputation for civic leadership, service delivery and outstanding employee relations. We offer our employees competitive salaries and benefit plans (including pension); education and training opportunities; a hybrid work environment; and challenging, meaningful work that makes a difference.

As a central hub in the Metro Vancouver area, the City of New Westminster delivers a broad spectrum of urban services to over 92,000 residents. It is a city rich in history with a viable and thriving economy, a population representative of the diversity of the region, and is staffed by talented and dedicated employees who work together to implement its strategic vision.

Our Planning and Development team plays a vital role in shaping that future, and we’re looking for an experienced Planner 2 to join our collaborative group!

At the City of New Westminster, you’ll find more than a job, you’ll have the opportunity to shape a growing community alongside supportive colleagues who value collaboration and innovation. As part of our Development Planning team, you’ll tackle complex planning challenges, contribute to projects that have a lasting impact, and continue to grow your career in a collaborative and forward-thinking environment.

About the Role:

Reporting to a Supervisor of Development Planning, you will help lead the review of a diverse range of development applications and guide projects through the City’s application review process. Working closely with colleagues across the organization, applicants, consultants, community members, and Council, you’ll play an important role in delivering high-quality development that reflects the City’s vision and strategic priorities. You will also lead updates to the City’s development planning related policies and bylaws; be a key subject matter expert on the development of City policies, including those from the Land Use and Housing Planning sections; and, be closely involved in development application process streamlining.

This is an exciting opportunity for a planning professional who enjoys balancing technical expertise with collaboration, problem-solving, broad application of planning knowledge and city-building. Your work will influence projects that advance housing, community amenities, environmental sustainability, economic development, reconciliation, urban design, and complete communities.

As a Planner 2, you will:

• Lead the review and processing of some of the most complex development applications from submission through approval.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary reviews with internal departments and external partners.
• Prepare planning reports, bylaw amendments, and recommendations for Council.
• Help develop and improve planning policies, regulations, and development review processes.
• Participate in negotiations related to community amenities and development agreements.
• Provide planning advice to applicants, consultants, City staff, and the public.
• Present projects and recommendations to Council, advisory committees, and community groups.
• Mentor junior planning staff and contribute to a collaborative, supportive team environment.
• Lead and advise updates to key development bylaw, policies and processes.
• Support the Land Use and Housing Planning team with the creation and update of various policies and plans.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that enhance development planning practices, processes and customer service.

What You Bring:

You are an experienced planning professional who combines strong technical knowledge with excellent communication and relationship-building skills. You thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy working on complex projects, and are motivated by the opportunity to help shape great communities.

You have:

• A Master’s degree in Urban Planning or a related discipline, along with meaningful experience in development planning, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Full membership, or eligibility for full membership, with the Canadian Institute of Planners.
• Strong knowledge of municipal planning principles, legislation, bylaws, and development processes.
• Experience managing complex development applications and preparing professional reports and recommendations.
• Experience developing or updating planning policies, regulations and guidelines.
• Strong collaboration skills and experience working with multidisciplinary teams and a wide range of stakeholders.
• Excellent facilitation, negotiation, conflict resolution, and customer service skills.
• The ability to communicate complex planning concepts clearly, both verbally and in writing.
• Sound judgment, initiative, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• A commitment to building positive relationships with colleagues, community members, consultants, and development partners.

If you’re passionate about creating vibrant, sustainable communities and want to help shape the future of New Westminster, we’d love to hear from you.

This position will remain open until filled.

Tagged as: Hybrid | Hybride