Planner I - Park Board

City of Vancouver; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking city committed to sustainability and equity as a Planner I in the Park Board’s Strategic Initiatives team. This role is vital in shaping the future of parks and recreation facilities through innovative planning and collaboration. You will engage in major projects, strategic planning, and policy initiatives that enhance community spaces and promote inclusivity. With a focus on reconciliation and environmental sustainability, you will enjoy a fulfilling career while directly impacting the quality of life for all residents. If you are passionate about urban planning and community engagement, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

Flexible Work Program

Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

Accommodations for Disabilities

Qualifications

• A degree in planning or related field with 1+ years in recreation facilities or urban planning.
• Experience in interdisciplinary teams and community engagement processes.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate service planning and facility-related planning for parks and recreation.
• Support major project assignments and develop strategic planning efforts.

Skills

Park Planning

Urban Planning

Project Management

Report Writing

Community Engagement

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Education

Degree in Planning or Related Field

Tools

MS Office Suite

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

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 rewarding workplace.

Main Purpose and Function

Working within the Park Board’s Strategic Initiatives staff team, the Planner I is responsible for service planning for parks and recreation facilities. This position contributes to the development and coordination of major projects, strategic planning efforts, and policy initiatives, including supporting the renewal, renovation, and design of existing and new parks and recreation facilities executed by Real Estate and Facilities Management (REFM) staff.

Specific Duties/Responsibilities

• Supports and coordinates service planning and facility-related planning, design, and renewal, as well as capital planning, both current and long-range;
• Coordinates and collaborates with REFM to help ensure Park Board interests are represented and addressed during the planning and execution of capital projects/initiatives;
• Supports the prioritization of a broad array of building-related capital maintenance and renewal requests based on asset conditions, service needs, and policy;
• Performs major project assignments on any aspect of facility planning by investigating problems and identifying issues, assists in developing study and strategy processes and policies, conducts, analyzes and evaluates research studies and surveys, formulates recommendations, and prepares reports summarizing moderately complex issues for presentation to senior management and the Park Board.
• Supervises, as required, Planning Assistants and technical staff engaged in the technical and/or clerical aspects of project assignments.
• Supports physical master planning, site planning, and feasibility options that test land use and built form;
• Works with Planner II and/or Planner III on complex projects including organizing and developing project terms of reference, scope and requests for proposals, oversees consultant teams and supervises professional, technical, and clerical staff engaged on project and administers budget.
• Supports integration of recreation and parks interests, strategies, priorities and policies in the development of community plans, official development plans, large-site redevelopments, rezonings, development permits and other city-wide planning initiatives.
• Works with Planner II or III to design and conduct consultation with the public, stakeholders and other departments and agencies on matters related to assignments and answer enquiries from the public.
• Represents parks and recreation interests at various cross-departmental staff technical teams, working groups and internal and external committees.
• Attends Park Board, City Council and staff meetings as required, and other civic and outside meetings to represent the department and make presentations and answer questions (including weekday evenings and weekends).
• Coordinates project communication channels internally and externally (web, written etc.)
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• A degree in planning or a related field, and a minimum one year of professional experience in recreation facilities and/or urban planning.
• Experience with working in interdisciplinary project teams, facilitation, evaluating proposals, communicating complex ideas and making sound recommendations.
• Experience with developing and supporting a range of engagement processes to include a broad range of public and stakeholder groups.
• Eligibility for membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners is preferred.
• Experience with diversity, inclusion and equity considerations in a workplace environment is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of park planning, facilities planning, urban planning; policy development; municipal parks and recreation trends; municipal planning and development processes; municipal capital development processes; and environmental planning and urban sustainability initiatives.
• Working knowledge of the principles in reconciliation and decolonization.
• Good knowledge of planning and social research methodologies, and of community recreation resources and programs.
• Ability to achieve multiple program objectives within defined timelines, work on complex projects, budgets and consultant teams effectively.
• Ability to manage complex and controversial planning and policy projects.
• Ability to communicate ideas effectively, both orally and in writing including excellent report writing skills.
• Ability to perform moderately complex technical research and prepare reports independently.
• Ability to supervise or provide direction to planning analysts/assistants and technical staff.
• Ability to develop ideas, synthesize large amounts of information, evaluate options and make recommendations on parks and recreation.
• Ability to work effectively within the Park Board and with City officials and other interested groups including citizen groups.
• Excellent information and data management and analytical skills, including the ability to interpret and map census data.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to adapt to priorities and meet prescribed deadlines in a changing environment.
• Proficiency in the use of MS Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work remotely 1 – 4 days a 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: Board of Parks & Recreation (1400)

Affiliation: CUPE 15 Parks

Employment Type: Temporary Full Time

Position Start Date: March, 2025

Position End Date: June 30, 2026

Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-029: $51.70 to $61.13 per hour

Application Close: February 16, 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 genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process.