Senior Planner

City of Calgary; Calgary; Hybrid; CAD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Calgary is seeking a Senior Planner to join the Local Area Planning team to lead greenfield policy work and guide policy development. You will manage complex projects, present recommendations to authorities, and collaborate with partners to align city goals with community needs.

Applicants should have a degree in Planning, six years of experience, and eligibility for APPI, with RPP preferred. Strong communication and leadership are essential.

Qualifications

• Degree in Planning recognized by APPI or equivalent
• At least 6 years progressively more responsible planning experience
• Eligibility for APPI membership required
• RPP designation preferred; Master’s degree is an asset
• Experience leading complex projects with strategic thinking
• Ability to communicate to diverse audiences including council and public

Responsibilities

• Lead planning policy initiatives and major projects; formulate agreements and author planning reports.
• Present planning advice to authorities, industry and community members.
• Evaluate key issues to Calgary Planning Commission and Council; influence policy outcomes.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to resolve policy issues.
• Negotiate city interests with external partners to align with City goals.
• Mentor and coach junior planners and support professional development.
• Serve as SME for process improvement projects.

Skills

Leadership

Policy experience

Communication

Mentoring

Stakeholder engagement

Decision making

Education

APPI-recognized Planning degree

RPP designation preferred

Master's degree asset

Eligibility for APPI membership

Job description

If you are committed to public service, enjoy collaborating with others, share our values and have a desire to learn and grow, join The City of Calgary. City employees deliver the services, run the programs and operate the facilities which make a difference in our community. We support work-life balance, promote physical and psychological safety, and offer competitive wages, pensions, and benefits. Together we make Calgary a great place to make a living, a great place to make a life.

The City is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and equitable workplace which is representative of the community we serve. We welcome those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism and reconciliation. Applications are encouraged from members of groups that are historically disadvantaged and underrepresented. Accommodations are available during the hiring process, upon request.

We are seeking a Senior Planner to join the Local Area Planning team to lead greenfield policy work. As a Senior Planner, you will play a key role in managing complex planning policy projects. You will also coach, mentor, and train staff on policies, processes, and technical content that supports the growth of the team's knowledge and skills. The position offers professional growth opportunities for individuals with strong, inclusive leadership and teamwork abilities, policy experience, and a high degree of political acumen. Primary duties include:

• Lead planning policy initiatives and major projects, formulate agreements, review technical reports, and author planning reports.
• Present professional planning advice and recommendations to the appropriate approving authorities, industry, and community members.
• Evaluate and make recommendations on key issues to the Calgary Planning Commission and Council.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to resolve process and planning policy issues.
• Negotiate city interests with external partners to ensure alignment on planning initiatives and to advance City goals and priorities.
• Serve as a resource to interested parties such as members of the public and community associations, providing information and guidance on planning policies and development matters.
• Mentor and coach junior planners, providing support and ongoing learning opportunities to foster their professional development.
• Work on or assigned as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for various process improvement projects.

Qualifications

• A degree in Planning or a related field that is recognized by the Alberta Professional Planners Institute (APPI) or another provincial or territorial institute or association representing the Planning profession in Canada.
• At least 6 years of progressively more responsible and varied experience in the planning profession, including experience working in an urban environment, delivering solutions and recommendations in complex planning and development initiatives, and providing advice and counsel to senior leadership teams.
• Eligibility for membership in the Alberta Professional Planners Institute is required.
• A Registered Professional Planner (RPP) designation or working towards a RPP designation is preferred.A master's degree is considered an asset.
• Experience leading complex projects that required a high level of expertise and strategic thinking.
• Ability to communicate to a wide range of audiences, such as City Council, committees, citizens and city building partners, including delivering clear and concise presentations to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of local area planning and planning application processes as well as provincial legislation and policies.
• The successful applicant will have a proven ability to make difficult decisions in a political and fast-paced environment on politically sensitive topics requiring diplomacy and sensitivity.

Pre-employment Requirements

• Successful applicants must provide proof of qualifications.

Workstyle

• This position may be eligible to work from home for at least part of the time as one of several flexible work options available to City employees. These arrangements depend on the operational requirements of the role, employee suitability, and are subject to change based on operational needs and corporate direction.