Senior Planner

International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Veterans; Yellowknife; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A municipal organization is seeking an experienced Senior Planner to guide Yellowknife's growth. This permanent, full-time position involves managing complex land use planning and development review responsibilities. Ideal candidates hold a degree in Urban Planning, RPP designation, and have at least 6 years of municipal planning experience. Enjoy a vibrant community while contributing to critical policy initiatives in a city known for its northern adventure and community values.

Benefits

Meaningful public service

Stability with influence

Cultural vibrancy

Outdoor adventure

Collaborative culture

Economic vibrancy

Qualifications

• 6+ years of planning experience, preferably in a municipal setting.
• Comfortable working in a unionized environment.
• Ability to communicate clearly with diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead and review complex development applications.
• Prepare reports and recommendations for Council and committees.
• Contribute to major policy initiatives.

Skills

Complex land use planning

Development review

Policy development

Project leadership

Mentorship

Collaboration

Public engagement

Education

University degree in Urban and Regional Planning or related field

Registered Professional Planner (RPP) designation

Active membership with the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP)

Job description

Overview

The City of Yellowknife is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Senior Planner to play a pivotal role in guiding the city’s growth at a defining moment in its evolution. This is a permanent, full-time, in-scope position within the City’s Planning and Development Department, offering professional challenge, stability, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a highly visible municipal environment.

As the capital of the Northwest Territories and the largest city in the region, Yellowknife is a dynamic hub of government, culture, commerce, and community life, a place that uniquely blends urban amenities with northern wilderness adventure. Positioned on the northern shore of Great Slave Lake, Yellowknife offers residents vibrant arts, rich Indigenous heritage, and immediate access to some of North America’s most spectacular natural landscapes and outdoor experiences, from watching the world-famous Aurora Borealis to hiking, boating, fishing, festivals, and year-round recreation.

Yellowknife is more than a workplace, it is a community where neighbours know one another, where local culture thrives, and where living in the North means being steps away from extraordinary natural wonder without sacrificing quality services, excellent schools, and a growing, resilient economy.

The Role

Reporting to the Manager, Planning and Environment, the Senior Planner is a professional role responsible for complex land use planning, development review, policy development, and project leadership. As an in-scope member of the organization, the position combines hands-on technical work with mentorship, collaboration, and public-facing responsibility.

• Leading and reviewing complex development applications, including rezonings, subdivisions, site plans, variances, and policy amendments.
• Preparing clear, defensible reports and recommendations for Council, committees, and appeal bodies.
• Contributing to major policy initiatives, including the Community Plan, Zoning By-law, Land Administration By-law, and related directives.
• Applying a complex legislative framework consistently, fairly, and with sound professional judgment.
• Working directly with developers, residents, Indigenous partners, agencies, and internal departments.
• Providing mentorship and technical guidance to junior planning staff.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• Meaningful public service: Planning decisions in Yellowknife are highly visible and genuinely matter to the community.
• Stability with influence: A permanent, in-scope role offering both job security and professional autonomy.
• Capital city lifestyle: Enjoy the cultural vibrancy of a territorial capital with festivals, galleries, performing arts, distinctive local cuisine, and community events unique to the North.
• Outdoor adventure at your doorstep: From aurora-viewing and winter festivals to summer boating on Great Slave Lake, endless trails, and world-class fishing, Yellowknife invites exploration every day of the year.
• Collaborative culture: Work within a values-driven municipal organization committed to reconciliation, accountability, and long-term stewardship.
• Economic vibrancy: Join a community that serves as the economic and governance hub of the Northwest Territories, with strong public, private and cultural sectors.

The Ideal Candidate

You are a seasoned municipal planner who values fairness, clarity, and professionalism in public decision-making. You are confident in your technical abilities, comfortable working within a unionized environment, and motivated by the opportunity to contribute to a community in a tangible, lasting way. You balance policy expertise with practical application, communicate clearly with diverse audiences, and bring a calm, solutions-oriented approach to complex and sometimes sensitive issues.

Qualifications Include

• University degree in Urban and Regional Planning or a related field.
• Registered Professional Planner (RPP) designation.
• Active membership with the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) in good standing.
• Minimum of 6 years of planning experience, preferably within a municipal setting.