Planner II (Landscape)

British Columbia Society of Landscape Architects; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Planner II (Landscape) to engage in complex urban design and landscape planning for the vibrant city of Vancouver. This role involves providing expert landscape advice on significant planning initiatives, managing development proposals, and collaborating with diverse stakeholders. You will play a crucial role in shaping the public and private realms through innovative design policies and guidelines. If you are passionate about sustainable development and have a strong background in landscape architecture, this is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Considerable knowledge of urban design, site planning, and landscape architecture.
• Strong skills in communicating urban design concepts graphically.

Responsibilities

• Manages landscape input for development proposals from inquiry to approval.
• Undertakes ecological design policy development and process improvements.

Skills

Urban Design

Landscape Architecture

Ecological Design

Communication Skills

Critical Thinking

Negotiation Skills

Project Management

Education

Post-graduate degree in Landscape Architecture

Degree in Urban Design

Degree in Community and Regional Planning

Tools

AutoCAD

Sketch Up

Photoshop

Job description

Main Purpose & Function
The Planner II (Landscape) is responsible for highly complex professional urban design and landscape planning work related to the physical design and development of Vancouver’s public and private realm.

The position provides landscape advice on planning initiatives, rezoning applications and development applications involving medium and large-scale development. This work will include review and assessment of formal development proposals; development and implementation of urban design and landscape policies and guidelines; consultation and negotiation with internal and external stakeholders; presentations to panels, committees and Council; and continuous improvement of associated processes.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

1. The work is undertaken in a multi-disciplinary team environment and involves both independent thought and co-operative decision-making. The subject matter can be controversial and requires thorough, conceptually clear and accurate responses to varied stakeholder interests.
2. Manages and coordinates senior landscape input and direction for development proposals from the initial enquiry stage through to final Development Permit approval, including:
1. Evaluation and communication of advice and recommendations related to the City's ecological design policies and objectives.
2. Consultation with internal and external stakeholders (e.g. Engineering Department or Public Open Houses).
3. Consultation with relevant advisory bodies (e.g. Urban Design Panel or Persons with Disabilities Advisory Committee).
4. Co-ordination of internal and external multi-disciplinary, multi-stakeholder design advice to ensure optimal overall urban design outcome.
5. Development of project specific design directions and exploration of potential solutions.
6. Presentation of final development proposals (written, verbal and visual) to relevant approving body (e.g. City Council, Development Permit Board or Director of Planning).
3. Undertakes and/or manages ecological design policy development including:
1. Refinement of adopted policy, regulations and guidelines.
2. Support creation of new policy, regulations and guidelines.
3. Participation in major planning initiatives involving complex projects and often politically sensitive.
4. Undertakes and/or manages process improvements including providing professional landscape design input for a range of area plans, major projects, and rezonings at the single-site and complex multi-site scale.
5. Works within a multi-disciplinary team environment dealing with highly complex and controversial landscape design and development planning matters.
6. Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Considerable knowledge of urban design, site planning and landscape architecture.
2. Considerable knowledge of several of the following as they relate to landscape planning: urban design, social sciences, law, sustainable development practices and municipal finance.
3. Considerable knowledge of governmental, legal and financial procedures for municipal development and of the City By-Laws relative to landscape planning activities.
4. Considerable knowledge of sustainable landscape design and construction practices.
5. Strong skills in communicating urban design concepts graphically both digitally and by hand.
6. Strong graphic skill, including use of AutoCAD, Sketch Up, Photoshop, etc.
7. Strong verbal, written and presentation skills.
8. High degree of design skill as well as critical thinking ability.
9. Ability to establish effective co-operative working relationships, undertake negotiations and resolve conflicts with developers, consultants, arborists, City departments and the general public.
10. Ability to analyze complex situations, determine appropriate course of action and make recommendations to senior management.
11. Ability to organize and co-ordinate multiple projects with tight timelines.

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: Planning, Urban Design & Sustainability (1275)

Affiliation: CUPE 15 Non Pks

Employment Type: Regular Full Time

Position Start Date: April, 2025

Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-031: $56.27 to $66.55 per hour

Application Close: April 13, 2025

Education:

University graduation, preferably with a post-graduate degree in Landscape Architecture, Urban Design or Community and Regional Planning or equivalent combination of post-secondary education and experience.

Membership or eligibility for membership in the British Columbia Society of Landscape Architects is preferred.

Membership or eligibility for membership in the Planning Institute of British Columbia is desirable.

Experience:

Professional experience in landscape architecture and urban design is preferred, including extensive experience in the private sector, with demonstrated experience in management of large-scale projects.