Planner 1

City of Niagara Falls; Niagara Falls; On-site; Full time

Job summary

A municipal government is seeking a Planner 1 to join their team in Niagara Falls, Ontario. This position involves formulating planning policies, processing development applications, and conducting studies. Candidates should possess a minimum four-year degree in Planning or Geography, along with at least two years of planning experience. The position offers a competitive salary ranging from CA$41.87 to CA$43.31 annually, and applicants are encouraged to apply via the city’s website.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years planning experience required.
• Sound knowledge of official plans, zoning, and provincial planning legislation.

Responsibilities

• Formulates comprehensive planning policies and reports on planning matters.
• Processes development applications and conducts planning studies.
• Prepares public notices and professional testimonies on planning matters.

Skills

Planning policies

Analytical skills

Legislation knowledge

Communication skills

Environmental review

Education

Minimum four-year University degree in Planning or Geography

Provisional or Registered Professional Planner in Ontario

Tools

General office equipment

Computer and related software

Job description

Overview

Join to apply for the Planner 1 role at City of Niagara Falls.

City of Niagara Falls provided pay range. This range is provided by City of Niagara Falls. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range: CA$41.87 / yr - CA$43.31 / yr. Closing Date: September 5, 2025.

Proud to be recognized as one of Hamilton-Niagara’s Top Employers for 2025!

Location: St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada (city of Niagara Falls)

Type of Vacancy: CUPE Permanent Full-time • Hours per Week: 35

How to apply: To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume at www.niagarafalls.ca / jobs.

Accessibility: The City of Niagara Falls is committed to an accessible and inclusive organization. In accordance with the Accessibility of Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process.

Position details

Position : Planner 1

Equipment and Tools Used : General office equipment, computer and related software and digital camera.

Responsibilities

• Formulates comprehensive planning policies, guidelines, by-law provisions and reports on planning matters in accordance with sound planning practices.
• Processes development applications, including but not limited to: zoning by-law amendments, condominium and condominium exemptions, consent, part lot control exemptions, site plans and sidewalk cafés. Exercises professional planning judgement in analysis and formulation of opinions on such applications.
• Conducts planning studies and research projects; undertakes planning programmes and processes development applications.
• Prepares public notices, reports, policies, by-laws, agreements and guidelines. Formulates Official Plan policy and zoning by-law provisions and implements general amendments.
• Prepares professional evidence and provides expert testimony before legislative committees, tribunals and commissions on minor planning matters; makes presentations to Council and committees as required.
• Interprets municipal and provincial planning documents for staff, agencies, developers and the public on minor planning matters.
• Monitors and reports on upcoming provincial and regional planning policy changes or other legislative initiatives and provides comments as appropriate.
• Investigates and maintains heritage property records; manages Municipal Heritage Committee and prepares reports on heritage matters.
• Reviews and comments on environmental matters and various applications (e.g., Niagara Escarpment permits, telecommunication towers, sign by-law amendments and variances, CIP applications) for committees and council.
• Administers the City’s sidewalk café and outdoor patio program, including application intake and agreement preparation.
• Creates and maintains project websites with background study information and responds to public inquiries on statistical, heritage and environmental matters.
• Provides support to team members on Official Plan and secondary plan initiatives; provides backup to zoning administration and Committee of Adjustment as required.
• Participates in the implementation of approved work programs.

Position requirements

• Minimum four (4) year University degree in Planning or Geography.
• Provisional or Registered Professional Planner in Ontario and Provisional or Full Membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) preferred.
• At least two (2) years of planning experience.
• Sound knowledge of official plans, zoning, by-laws, site plans and provincial planning legislation.

Working conditions

• Standard office environment (some site visits required).

How to apply

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume at www.niagarafalls.ca / jobs.

The City of Niagara Falls is dedicated to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process. Please contact [e-mail] or 905-356-7521. Personal information is collected under the authority of The Municipal Act and will only be used to determine suitability for this position.

We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those advancing through the selection process will be contacted.