Planner 2 (Development)

City-of-New-Westminste; New Westminster; Hybrid; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salaries

Pension plan

Education and training opportunities

Hybrid work environment

Work-life balance

Job summary

The City of New Westminster is seeking an experienced Planner 2 to join our Planning and Development team. You will guide complex development applications, collaborate with departments, consultants, and the public, and lead updates to policies and bylaws that shape housing, sustainability and city-building.

Qualifications include a Master’s in Urban Planning and eligibility for CI Planner membership, with strong communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Urban Planning or related discipline and relevant development planning experience.
• Full membership or eligibility for full membership with the Canadian Institute of Planners.
• Strong knowledge of municipal planning principles, bylaws, and development processes.
• Experience managing complex development applications and preparing reports.

Responsibilities

• Lead review and processing of complex development applications through the approval stage.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary reviews with internal departments and external partners.
• Prepare planning reports, bylaw amendments, and Council recommendations.
• Develop and update planning policies, regulations, and guidelines.
• Mentor junior planning staff and foster a collaborative team environment.
• Present projects to Council, advisory committees, and community groups.
• Advise updates to development bylaws, policies and processes.
• Support Land Use and Housing Planning with policy development.

Skills

Communication skills

Relationship building

Facilitation

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Urban planning knowledge

Education

Master of Urban Planning

CI Planner membership eligibility

Tools

GIS

EDMS

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.

What You'll Do

• 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.
• Experience using digital permitting systems, GIS, and electronic document management systems (EDMS) to support efficient development review and service delivery is an asset.

Why Join Us?

We know that great work starts with supporting great people. That's why we offer:

• Work-life balance: A 35-hour work week, generous vacation, optional compressed day off program, and optional hybrid work schedule.
• Health and wellness: Extended health, dental, life insurance, paid sick leave, and wellness-focused programs.
• Retirement security: Membership in the Municipal Pension Plan.
• Career growth: Ongoing learning, professional development, and opportunities to build your career within a progressive municipal organization.

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.