Junior Planner / Planner / Senior Planner (PFT) (CUPE 72.26)

Norfolk County; Central Ontario; Hybrid; CAD 60,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

Norfolk County, located in Southwestern Ontario, is hiring for Junior Planner, Planner, and Senior Planner to guide responsible growth and land-use decisions. You will review development applications, provide planning advice, prepare amendments, and engage with the public while supporting a collaborative planning team.

Successful candidates bring a four-year planning degree, strong communication skills, knowledge of Ontario planning policy, and the ability to work across departments.

Qualifications

• Minimum four-year post-secondary degree in Land Use Planning or related field.
• Knowledge of Ontario planning legislation and processes.
• OPPI membership within 5 years of hire.
• Valid Ontario driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Review and evaluate development applications.
• Prepare official plan amendments and zoning by-laws.
• Provide planning advice to stakeholders.
• Attend public meetings and present at hearings.

Skills

Organizational skills

Oral and written communication

Interpersonal skills

Computer skills

Education

Bachelors in Land Use Planning or related field

Tools

CityView or comparable software

Job description

Located in the heart of Southwestern Ontario, Norfolk County is where big vision meets unlimited potential.

As one of Ontario's largest single-tier municipalities and home to over 70,000 people, Norfolk is bold, diverse, and proudly local - a municipality that thrives on innovation, collaboration, and connection. Here, you'll find endless opportunities to grow your skills, expand your ideas, and shape your career.

As a Planner with Norfolk County, you'll review and evaluate development applications, provide professional planning advice, and help shape land use decisions that align with municipal and provincial policies. Your work will support responsible growth, informed decision-making, and meaningful public participation in building strong, sustainable communities.

Big vision. Real opportunities. Unlimited potential. That's Norfolk.

The Planning and Realty Services Department is looking to fill one (1) vacancy into the positions outlined below depending on candidate qualifications:

Junior Planner

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide planning services, primarily related to the processing of development applications including helping to deliver on all facets of a variety of planning applications from land use amendments, site plans and draft plans of subdivision
• Assist in implementing reviews of key development application processes and planning services to ensure Norfolk is at the forefront of new techniques to engage the community and deliver results for stakeholders
• Review new applications to deem complete and commence review process including the evaluation of development proposals through the use of professional judgment ensuring compliance with the requirements of affected agencies, planning principles and the interpretation of Provincial, County and other relevant land use policy and regulations
• Responsible for responding to general inquiries related to land use planning matters. Working with Service Norfolk to find process efficiencies
• Maintain and foster corporate goals by ensuring public access to and participation in the planning process
• Provide analysis and recommendations on planning applications including committee of adjustment related applications (consents and minor variances)
• Prepare recommendation reports and related documents such as by-laws or conditions related to report recommendations
• Site inspections in relation to planning applications
• Undertake special projects and other duties as assigned

Planner

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide planning services, primarily related to the processing of development applications under Planning Act
• Evaluate development proposals through the use of professional judgment ensuring compliance with the requirements of affected agencies, planning principles and the interpretation of Provincial, County and other relevant land use policy and regulations
• Maintain and foster corporate goals by ensuring public access to and participation in the planning process
• Prepare and administer development related agreements
• Provide analysis and recommendations on planning applications including, official plan amendments, zoning by-law amendments, site plans, severances and minor variances
• Prepare documents including official plan amendments and various by-laws
• Check land ownership using assessment roll numbers including the production of labels for circulation purposes
• Site inspections
• Undertake special projects and other duties as assigned

Senior Planner

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Facilitate and complete development planning applications including assistance and support for Committee of Adjustment, and all other types of applications including a focus on draft plan of subdivision, condominium, official plan and zoning bylaw amendments.
• Evaluate development proposals through the use of professional judgement ensuring compliance with the requirements of affected agencies, planning principles, and the interpretation of Provincial and County land use policies and regulations and to prepare planning reports and appropriate recommendations
• Assist in key long-range policy planning projects including, but not limited to Official Plan Updates, provincial policy conformity projects, land use and design plans, growth management studies.
• Provide guidance and information to County staff, Council, developers and citizens regarding Norfolk County's planning process, Official Plan policies, Zoning By-law and relevant provincial policy and regulations
• Oversee the day to day management/supervision of major planning development projects, reports and studies as assigned by the General Manager, Community and Development Services or the Director, Planning and Realty Services.
• Responsible for the processing and consolidation of recommendations related to planning applications including official plan amendments, rezoning applications, site plans, committee of adjustment, subdivisions/condominium and land division
• Provide analysis and recommendations on planning applications including official plan and zoning by-law amendments, subdivision, condominium, site plan and Committee of Adjustment applications
• Attend Council and other meetings, as required, to represent the Planning and Realty Services Department on planning interests of Norfolk County
• Coordinate and/or participate in County/Divisional initiatives including the periodic review and update of the County's Official Plan and Zoning By-law(s)
• Attend Committee of Adjustment meetings in rotation with other Senior Planners
• Review site plans under Section 41 of the Planning Act
• Maintain and foster corporate goals by ensuring public access to and participation in the planning process
• Prepare Official Plan Amendments and land use by-laws such as zoning, holding, interim control, part lot control, temporary use and site plan for consideration and approval by the County and subsequent approval by the Ministry of Affairs, if required
• Prepare and administer site plan agreements and other such agreements as deemed necessary for related development applications, in accordance with Norfolk County process and standards
• Coordinate public meetings pertaining to planning matters
• Present studies, policies and applications at Public Meetings, Public Information Sessions, and Committee meetings
• Act as a Departmental representative / Liaison on Committees as needed
• Mentor, coach and provide leadership to planners, planning students and department co‑op students
• Work after hours for Public Meetings, Council Meetings, Committee Meetings, and other Public Open houses on a project by project basis and when deemed necessary to meet deadlines and deal with crises
• Undertake special projects and other duties as assigned

Requirements

Junior Planner

Knowledge and Experience:

• Minimum four (4) year post‑secondary degree in Land Use Planning or related field such as Geography or Urban Studies
• Over three (3) months up to one (1) year related experience
• Candidate membership with the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) within 5 years of hire preferred
• GIS understanding or quantitative skills/ statistical analysis or visualization software and/or engagement tools is an asset

Planner

Knowledge and Experience:

• Minimum four (4) year post‑secondary degree in Land Use Planning or related field such as Geography or Urban Studies
• Over (2) two, up to and including three (3) years of related experience
• Candidate membership with the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) within 5 years of hire
• GIS experience and quantitative skills/ statistical analysis is an asset

Senior Planner

Knowledge and Experience:

• Minimum four (4) year post‑secondary degree in Land Use Planning or related field such as Geography or Urban Studies
• Over four (4) up to and including five (5) years' experience in land use planning
• Full Membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners in good standing
• Registered Professional Planner
• GIS experience and quantitative skills/ statistical analysis is an asset
• Experience in project management would be an asset

Junior Planner

Skills and Abilities:

• Proven organizational skills
• Working knowledge of Ontario planning legislation and process
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Sound interpersonal skills
• Understanding of relevant Planning and use related legislation and policy
• Excellent computer skills
• Ability to operate department specific equipment such as: scanner, printers, plotter, copier, etc.
• Valid Ontario G driver's license and access to a reliable vehicle including the ability to provide a drivers abstract when requested during the recruitment process
• Ability to gain computer expertise required in corporate standard software and department specific software including CityView or comparable software
• Must be aware of safe work practices as they relate to job responsibilities and work environment, and have the basic understanding of the Occupational Health and Safety Act

Planner

Skills and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of Ontario planning legislation and process
• Knowledge and ability to interpret and apply policies and regulations of the Planning Act, the Provincial Policy Statement and other applicable municipal and provincial legislation
• Well established writing skills with extensive experience in report writing
• Sound interpersonal skills with the ability to negotiate effectively
• Proven organizational skills
• Excellent computer and analytical skills
• Excellent communication skills in presenting information to individuals as well as larger audiences, e.g. OMB and/or public hearings
• Valid Ontario G class driver's license and access to a reliable vehicle including the ability to provide a drivers abstract when requested during the recruitment process
• Computer expertise required in corporate standard software and department specific software including CityView or comparable software
• Must be aware of safe work practices as they relate to job responsibilities and work environment, and have the basic understanding of the Occupational Health and Safety Act

Senior Planner

Skills and Abilities:

• Solid understanding of municipal government with a well-developed ability to interpret and apply policies and regulations of the Planning Act, the Provincial Policy Statement and other applicable municipal and provincial legislation including but not limited to the Condominium Act, the Municipal Act, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, and the Heritage Act
• Thorough knowledge and understanding in all types of development planning including Committee of Adjustment, Official Plan Amendments, Zoning Amendments, draft plan of subdivision, draft plan of condominium
• Expertise in writing and presenting development application related reports to Council including public hearings and recommendations to Council
• Knowledge and understanding in the facilitation and leadership of long range and policy related planning projects, including but not limited to official plan review, secondary plans, master plans, and population projection projects are a benefit.
• Knowledge and understanding in areas such as heritage planning, transportation planning, environmental planning, or brownfield planning, would be considered an asset
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of relevant planning and land use related legislation and policy
• Thorough understanding of planning policy matters and development approval process
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to negotiate effectively
• Unquestionable confidentiality regarding topics including Archaeological resources, Species-at-Risk data and development proposals
• The ability to work effectively in a team environment and the ability to work with members of the public
• Well established and refined writing skills with extensive experience in planning report writing with demonstrated ability to convey issues and concepts in a convincing manner
• Excellent communication skills and experience in presenting information to individuals as well as larger audiences, including Council, Committees and various public meeting forums
• Excellent evaluation and analysis/ judgement skills
• Demonstrated analytical and problem solving skills
• Ability to provide credible expert testimony at Ontario Municipal Board hearings and other legal proceedings
• Commitment to personal and professional development by actively pursuing further planning knowledge and skills
• Demonstrated ability to exercise significant discretion and sensitivity
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple files and/or projects with changing priorities and levels of complexity
• Valid Ontario driver's license and access to a reliable vehicle
• Computer expertise in corporate standard software (Microsoft Office) and department specific software to data search and entry and to create and modify word processed documents
• Must be aware of safe work practices as they relate to job responsibilities and work environment, and have the basic understanding of the Occupational Health and Safety Act

Benefits

Posting #: CUPE 72.26

Position: Junior Planner / Planner / Senior Planner

Status: Permanent Full Time

Number of Vacancies: 1

Employee Group: CUPE Local 4700

Wage:

• Junior Planner: $43.85 per hour (less $1 per hour for the probationary period)
• Planner: $54.12 per hour (less $1 per hour for the probationary period)
• Senior Planner: $58.66 per hour (less $1 per hour for the probationary period)

Hours Worked per Week: 35

Division: Community and Development Services

Department: Planning and Realty Services

Reports to: Manager, Planning Services

Location: Simcoe, ON (primarily in-office, with a combination of site work and potential flexible work arrangements based on operational requirements of the role)

Posting Period: September 17, 2026 - October 5, 2026

The Corporation of Norfolk County is an equal opportunity employer. Accessibility accommodations are available for all parts of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.

The Corporation of Norfolk County does not use Artificial Intelligence for the purpose of screening, assessing, or the selection of candidates.

Successful applicants are required to provide the Employer with a current Criminal Record Check, including a Vulnerable Sector where required and verification of education.

Thank you for your interest in this position. Only those to be interviewed will be contacted.