Planner I

City of Vancouver; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Vancouver is seeking a Planner I to work in the Special Projects Office, focusing on policy drafting, community engagement, and liaising with stakeholders. The role requires a post-secondary degree in planning, with a preference for candidates who demonstrate analytical and communication skills. This full-time position offers a competitive hourly wage and is part of the city's commitment to sustainability and equity.

Qualifications

• Minimum of one year professional experience in planning preferred.
• Ability to prepare policy documents and visualize content.
• Membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Draft policy and reports for planning projects.
• Provide advice on rezoning inquiries and applications.
• Participate in community engagement activities.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Cultural awareness

Negotiation

Project coordination

Education

Post-secondary degree in planning

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

ArcGIS

Excel

PowerPoint

SketchUp

Word

Job description

Requisition ID:43928

Organization

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and engaging workplace. Working at the City of Vancouver and within the public service can be a rewarding career where you play a key role in ensuring impartial and equitable access to services, upholding ethical governance, and addressing the needs of citizens with integrity and dedication.

Main Purpose and Function

The Planner I will work as part of the planning team in the Special Projects Office. Key focus areas of the role will be to draft policy and reports, provide policy advice for rezoning enquiries and applications, participate in community engagement activities, prepare work plans, and supervise consultant studies. The incumbent is an integral part of the Special Projects Office and plays a key role in liaising with other City departments and external agencies. The position will become involved in a variety of Special Projects Office work as required. Current projects include the implementation of the Broadway Plan and Northeast False Creek Plan, Central Waterfront planning, UBCx planning and the Jericho Lands.

Specific Duties/Responsibilities

• Provide a range of professional services and some technical support as part of the planning team in the Special Projects Office
• Provide advice to internal and external parties on area plan policy in relation to rezoning enquiries and applications
• Assist with developing and refining area plan policy in response to Council directions
• Prepare amendments to zoning by-laws and guidelines
• Prepare reports and formulate recommendations to senior staff and to Council
• Prepare and give presentations to internal and external audiences
• Assist with preparation of work plans
• Supervise consultant studies
• Prepare research, data collection and other technical assignments
• Undertake community engagement activities and build connections with key stakeholders
• Supervise and coordinate the work of junior staff
• Liaise with other City Departments including Engineering, Arts, Culture and Community Services, Parks, and Real Estate and Facilities Management.
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Education and Experience:

A post-secondary degree in planning recognized by the Canadian Institute of Planners is preferred and a minimum of one year professional experience in the planning field, or an equivalent combination of post-secondary education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as an effective member of a team; to cooperate with other employees, officials and the public; and to complete assignments using sound professional techniques and judgment is required.
• Ability to design and lead a participatory public consultation process and to negotiate and mediate among various interest groups on potentially contentious issues.
• Working knowledge of the City’s Zoning and Development By-law, Official Development Plans and Policies and Guidelines, plus a broad knowledge of City services, programs and processes.
• Knowledge of City policies, particularly related to land use, is an important asset.
• Demonstrated effective analytical skills and verbal and written communication skills, including writing and public speaking skills.
• A strong cultural awareness of Indigenous and diverse cultural communities.
• Demonstrated experience in land use planning and community planning and the ability to prepare policy documents and to produce and communicate with visual material are also required.
• Demonstrable skills and proven ability in the following software are requirements: word processing (Word), quantitative analysis (Excel), presentations (PowerPoint), preparation of visual materials (Adobe Creative Suite). Urban design analysis (SketchUp) and spatial analysis/mapping (ArcGIS) are desirable.
• Membership or eligibility for membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners is desirable.

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work a hybrid work week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite. At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

Business Unit/Department:Planning, Urban Design & Sustainability (1275)

Affiliation:CUPE 15 Non Pks

Employment Type:Regular Full Time

Position Start Date: July 2025

Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-029: $51.7to $61.13per hour

Application Close: June 15, 2025

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve . Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all gendersand persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more aboutour commitment to diversity and inclusion.

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In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx. 5-10 minutes. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a summary of skills and experience related to the position.