Principal Planner

The City of Belleville; Belleville; On-site; CAD 83,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

A municipal government in Belleville is seeking a highly motivated Principal Planner to join its Engineering and Development Services Department. Candidates should possess a degree in Planning or Geography and have strong analytical and project management skills. This temporary full-time role involves analyzing planning policies and managing multi-disciplinary projects to support community development and improvement initiatives. Competitive salary and benefits are offered, along with opportunities for a hybrid work arrangement after probation.

Benefits

Competitive market salary

Employer-paid extended health benefits

OMERS Pension Plan

Opportunity for hybrid work arrangement

Qualifications

• Four (4) years of experience in a relevant field.
• Experience within municipal environments preferred.
• Supervisory experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Analyze complex planning policies.
• Manage special studies and long-range projects.
• Prepare reports for Council and Committees.
• Support the City’s Community Improvement Plan.

Skills

Strategic planning

Analytical skills

Communication

Project management

Education

Undergraduate Degree in Planning, Geography or related discipline

Registered Professional Planner designation (MCIP, RPP)

Tools

Planning software applications

Job description

PRINCIPAL PLANNER

The City of Belleville, known as the “Friendly City”, is located at the mouth of the Moira River where it meets the picturesque Bay of Quinte. Experience world‑class fishing, boating, cycling, and walking along approximately 14 kilometers of waterfront trails. Situated between Toronto and Montreal, and less than one hour from the U.S. border, the City truly is at the center of it all. Approximately 56,000 people make Belleville their home and over 220,000 live within 30 minutes of the City. We are in close proximity to Prince Edward County where you can discover award winning wineries and numerous beaches including Sandbanks Provincial Park. We are home to Loyalist College of Applied Arts and Technology as well as Albert College, Canada’s oldest co‑ed boarding independent private school. The historic downtown core provides numerous restaurants, shopping and live music and theatre venues for an amazing cultural experience. Our inviting blend of small town warmth and big city amenities, quality of life and affordable housing make Belleville the perfect place to live, work and play. More information is available at www.belleville.ca.

Currently, the City of Belleville has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated, strategic, and dynamic individual to join our Engineering and Development Services Department as a Principal Planner.

Position Type: Temporary Full Time (approximately 12 months)

Number of Positions: One (1)

Existing or New Vacancy: Existing – Backfill

Department: Engineering and Development Services Department

File Number: SV25-137

Location: City Hall (169 Front Street, Belleville, ON)

Hours: 35 Hours per Week; Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm

Employee Group: Union - CUPE

Salary: $83,128.45 – $98,961.48 per year (2026 rates)

Closing Date: Friday, January 9, 2026 at 4:30 PM

PURPOSE AND SCOPE

As a member of the Engineering and Development Services Department, reporting to the Manager of Policy Planning, the Principal Planner is responsible for analyzing complex planning policies, managing special studies and long‑range projects, and preparing reports for Council and related Committees. The role also involves supporting the City’s Community Improvement Plan, engaging with key stakeholders, providing strategic planning advice, and assisting with development applications as needed.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide professional advice and strategic input to management and Council
• Develop planning strategies that balance growth, economic development, community well‑being, and environmental sustainability
• Manage complex, multi‑disciplinary projects and studies such as Official Plan reviews, corridor studies, and other long‑range plans
• Lead a variety of the City’s Community Improvement Plans, which include areas such as housing, brownfields, and downtown revitalization
• Build and maintain relationships with provincial ministries, Indigenous communities, neighbouring municipalities, and the development industry stakeholders
• Support corporate initiatives that involve research, policy development, and changes to business practices or service delivery
• Prepare and deliver presentations and participate in discussions with staff, agencies, developers, and elected officials
• Assist staff of the Approvals Section in processing development applications for zoning amendments, site plans, subdivision and condominiums, consents and minor variances when required
• Implement the Council‑approved planning decisions and initiatives
• Act as the Manager, if required

EDUCATION/ TRAINING/ SPECIALIZED SKILLS

Minimum Qualifications:

• Undergraduate Degree or higher in Planning, Geography or a related discipline
• Full membership or eligibility for membership in Canadian Institute of Planners and Ontario Professional Planners Institute with a Registered Professional Planner designation (MCIP, RPP)
• Demonstrated thorough understanding of the Planning Act and other relevant legislation
• Demonstrated expert knowledge of Official Plans, Provincial Policy Statements, and Provincial Plans
• Satisfactory Criminal Record Check (“CRC”) prior to commencing work at the City of Belleville

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven ability to synthesize, evaluate and interpret highly complex planning issues, towards developing clear and concise planning recommendations
• Strong organizational, analytical, policy and data analysis skills
• Demonstrated leadership and project management experience
• Ability to effectively train, direct, mentor and supervise staff
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to respond to public concerns in a professional manner and maintain effective working relationships within the corporation and the broader community
• Negotiation/conflict resolution skills, problem identification and resolution in response to a wide variety of policy and development initiatives within a dynamic, fast‑paced, multi‑stakeholder environment
• Demonstrated proficiency with a variety of software applications
• The ability to work independently and as a member of a team
• Ability to facilitate discussion and exercise judgment in a rational and informed manner appropriate to the situation with awareness of consequences

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required Qualifications:

• Four (4) years of experience required

Preferred Qualifications:

• Four (4) years of experience within municipal environments
• Two (2) years supervisory experience
• Experience at Local Planning Appeal Tribunal/Ontario Municipal Board

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU

• Competitive market salary
• Competitive employer‑paid extended health benefits
• OMERS Pension Plan
• Opportunity to enter a hybrid work arrangement subject to applicable policies and approvals, following the successful completion of the probationary period
• Live, work, and play in the beautiful city of Belleville and experience all that it has to offer

HOW TO APPLY

www.belleville.ca/careers

We thank all applicants who apply but advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Please be advised that the City of Belleville uses email to communicate with their applicants for open job postings. It is the applicant’s responsibility to include an updated email address that is checked frequently and accepts emails from unknown users. As we send time‑sensitive correspondence regarding recruitments via email, it is imperative that applicants check their email regularly. If we do not hear back from applicants, we will assume that you are no longer interested in the job posting.

The City of Belleville is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive, barrier‑free recruitment and selection processes and work environments. We will accommodate the needs of applicants under the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. Please advise the Human Resources Division to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated throughout this process.

Personal information and any supporting material will be administered in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).