Planning Clerk

https:/www.thorold.ca/en/city-hall/jobs.aspx; Thorold; On-site; CAD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A growing municipality in the Niagara Region is seeking a Planning Clerk to support their planning division. This role involves performing administrative duties, ensuring compliance with the Ontario Planning Act, and serving as Secretary-Treasurer for the Committee of Adjustment. The ideal candidate should have relevant education in Urban Planning or a related field and a minimum of two years of experience in municipal planning or committee administration. This position offers competitive benefits and supports professional growth.

Benefits

Comprehensive pension plan

Benefits package

Supportive team environment

Qualifications

• Minimum of a two (2) year post-secondary diploma or degree in Urban Planning, Geography, or Public Administration.
• A minimum of two (2) years in a municipal planning or committee administration role.
• Willingness to obtain accreditation as Committee Secretary Treasurer and Commissioner of Oaths in Ontario.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for administration of the Committee of Adjustment.
• Ensure compliance with the Planning Act.
• Coordinate communications among stakeholders.
• Prepare and circulate notices for Committee meetings.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Knowledge of planning procedures

Education

Post-secondary diploma or degree in Urban Planning or related field

Job description

Working for City of Thorold

By joining the City of Thorold team, you will be choosing to become part of the fastest growing municipality in the beautiful Niagara region. Working with us means a great pension, benefits package and a supportive and collaborative team environment. We invest in our people and prioritize creating opportunities for our employees to learn and grow in their roles.

Are you looking for a career opportunity in a fast‑growing community? The City of Thorold is offering an exciting opportunity for a motivated individual to gain hands‑on experience in municipal planning. The Planning Clerk is an important contributor in the planning division supporting the division through a variety of administrative tasks, most importantly, holding the role of Secretary‑Treasurer to the Committee of Adjustment. This is a fantastic opportunity to grow professionally while contributing to meaningful work that helps shape our community.

Primary Function

Under the direction of the Development Coordinator, Planning Services, the Planning Clerk performs administrative duties related to the Planning Division and technical duties that support the planning application process, including serving as Secretary‑Treasurer for the Committee of Adjustment (CoA). This role ensures compliance with the Ontario Planning Act, manages planning files, and coordinates communications among stakeholders, including applicants, the public, and municipal staff. The incumbent assists in delivering efficient and transparent planning services to support Thorold’s growth and development objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Accountable for the overall administration and support of the Committee of Adjustment/Property Standards Committee
• Responsible for ensuring that Consent and Minor Variance applications meet the Planning Act prescribed timelines
• Ensuring that Consent and Minor Variance applications are compliant with Planning Act requirements
• Circulates Consent and Minor Variance applications; prepares circulations to internal and external agencies for review and comments; collects, tracks and files comments from departments and agencies and forwards to Planners
• Coordination of public notification for Committee of Adjustment applications including the preparation of public notice signs to be erected on the property, preparation and mailings of notice of hearing, notice of decision and appeal and final and binding notices
• Attend and administer Committee meetings, including both in person and/or remote/electronic meetings when required
• Implements Committee of Adjustment decisions, ensures conditions are fulfilled and issues clearances
• Certifies survey of consent as final, and issues final certificate of consent
• Collection and assembly of information for Ontario Land Tribunal appeals and hearings
• Process mail, daily cash receipts for the Committee of Adjustment and maintain departmental petty cash
• Book meetings and appointments as required
• Review and process invoices and undertake associated accounting duties
• Maintain office supply inventory
• File management including archiving of closed files
• Serves as the primary contact with the public for the submission and administrative procedures related to minor variance and consent applications
• Liaise with staff regarding planning files specific to Committee of Adjustment applications
• Provide administrative support to all division staff
• Other related duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Minimum completion of a two (2) year post‑secondary diploma or degree in Urban Planning, Geography, Public Administration, or a related field or a combination of equivalent related education and relevant work experience
• A minimum of two (2) years in a municipal planning, committee administration, or related administrative role, preferably in a local government setting
• Have, or be willing to obtain, accreditation as an Accredited Committee Secretary Treasurer (ACST) through membership in the Ontario Association of Committees of Adjustment (COA) and Consent Authorities; and become a Commissioner of Oaths pertaining to Committee of Adjustment duties
• Knowledge of the Committee of Adjustment procedures
• Good verbal and written communication skills required