Senior Planner (Full-Time)

City of Thunder Bay; Northwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Pension plan

Health, vision, and dental coverage

Paid vacation and holidays

EFAP and wellness programs

Leadership development and tuition

Recognition and staff events

Job summary

City of Thunder Bay is seeking a Senior Planner to apply expert planning knowledge to complex development matters that shape our neighbourhoods and community spaces. You’ll provide senior-level guidance on development approvals, policy initiatives, and stakeholder engagement to support responsible growth and informed decisions.

This role emphasizes leadership, technical direction, and collaboration with developers, city departments, elected officials, and the public, driving sound planning

Qualifications

• Four-year Honours Degree in Land Use Planning or related discipline.
• Minimum four years of land use planning experience in municipal setting.
• Extensive knowledge of the Ontario Planning Act and provincial legislation.
• Ability to provide senior-level technical direction to staff.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior-level planning advice on complex development proposals.
• Assist with planning policy matters and community development initiatives.
• Evaluate proposals and support decisions for responsible growth.
• Lead and mentor Planning staff and coordinate teams.
• Represent Planning Services on committees and with external partners.

Skills

Project management

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Public speaking

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Honours Degree in Land Use Planning

Equivalent combination of education and experience

Job description

The City of Thunder Bayprovidesexceptional quality of life to those wholive, work, and play in Thunder Bay–a culturally vibrant, economically diverse community with a metro population of over 120,000. Located on the north shore of Lake Superior, under the protective watch of the Sleeping Giant, Thunder Bay isrich in people and resources, and connects Northwestern Ontario to the world. We valueourhigh quality of lifeand promote a clean, green, beautiful, and healthy community that provides economic opportunity, respects diversity, and provides affordable and safe neighbourhoods that are accessible to all.

The City of Thunder Bay is a place where art, culture and nature come together!

Watch this video to learn more about our City at:

Job Description

Shape Growth & Development for Our Community & Make an Impact.

At the City of Thunder Bay, Our City Runs on People Like You. Together, we are building a workplace where everyone belongs, where your planning expertise, analytical thinking, and professional judgment help support responsible growth and informed development decisions across our community.

As a Senior Planner, you'll apply your expertise to complex planning matters that influence how neighbourhoods, businesses, and community spaces develop and evolve. Working on a diverse range of development approvals and policy initiatives, you'll provide professional planning advice, technical guidance, and thoughtful analysis that supports sound decision-making and long-term community development.

Thunder Bay offers more than a fulfilling career. With its natural beauty, affordability, and strong sense of community, it's a city where you can grow personally and professionally while contributing to meaningful planning work that helps shape the places where people live, work, and thrive.

Where You’ll Make a Difference Every Day

As a Senior Planner, you'll provide senior-level planning expertise on complex development applications, planning policy matters, and community development initiatives. Working closely with developers, consultants, City departments, elected officials, agencies, and community stakeholders, you'll help evaluate proposals, navigate planning processes, and support decisions that contribute to responsible growth and development.

This is an opportunity to combine technical planning expertise, policy analysis, project leadership, and stakeholder engagement in a role that allows you to work on complex and meaningful planning matters while supporting the broader objectives of the Planning Services Division.

How You'll Support the Team

In this role, you will:

• Provide leadership and planning expertise to project teams.
• Review complex development proposals, provide professional planning opinions and make recommendations on sound planning principles.
• Provide technical direction and guidance to Planning staff.
• Prepare and provide technical directions and guidance related to the preparation of comments, reports and by-laws for presentation to Committees and Council.
• Perform and provide technical direction and guidance related to the detailed analysis and work associated with the processing and the review of subdivision and condominium applications.
• Negotiate and prepare site plan, subdivision, condominium, development charge, development and other agreements
• Represent Planning Services on internal and external committees and at community meetings related to planning matters.
• Provide expert planning evidence before the Ontario Land Tribunal and other tribunals.
• Provide guidance on the Planning Act, Official Plan, and Zoning By-law t staff. Provide information to the public and the development community on matters relating to land use planning.

Senior Planner - Job Description

What You Can Count On With Us

When you join us, you will be in receipt of the following amazing benefits:

• A competitive salary that reflects your expertise
• A matching pension plan to help you build long-term financial security
• Comprehensive health, vision, and dental coverage, plus life insurance for peace of mind
• Generous paid vacation and holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave days when you need more time off
• Access to a confidential Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) and wellness initiatives to support your overall health
• Leadership development and tuition reimbursement programs, so you can continue to grow your skills and career
• A culture of recognition and appreciation, with staff events and programs that celebrate your contributions

What You'll Bring to the Team

Here’s what will help you succeed as a Senior Planner:

• A four-year Honours Degree in Land Use Planning or a related discipline; and
• At least four years of land use planning experience in progressively responsible positions with a focus on development approvals, preferably in a municipal environment; or
• Equivalent combination of education and experience
• Must have extensive working knowledge of the Ontario Planning Act and other relevant provincial legislation
• Proven ability to provide effective senior level technical direction and guidance to staff
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with members of City Council, superiors, co-workers, and the general public in a courteous and professional manner
• Excellent project/time management, analytical/critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making skills

Ready to Make An Impact?

General Information:

As an equal opportunity employer, the City of Thunder Bay encourages applications from Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minority groups, women and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

ONTARIO HUMAN RIGHTS CODE: It is a contravention of the Human Rights Code of Ontario to discriminate on the basis of: race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, disability, age, record of offences, gender identity or gender expression. Therefore, a resume submitted to the City must not include references to any of the above characteristics. Do not include:

• Photos
• Any certificates that have photo identification
• Driver’s licences
• Police records checks

Note: The above documentation will be requested by the Human Resources Division should you be the successful applicant. If a Criminal Record Check is required, it will be requested by Human Resources should you be the successful applicant. Please do not submit your Criminal Record Check with your application.

ACCOMMODATION: Reasonable accommodations are available upon request for all parts of the recruitment process.

PRIVACY:Personal information on this form is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act, c. 302, as amended, and will be used to determine eligibility for employment. Questions about this collection of personal information should be directed to the Human Resources Division, 125 Syndicate Ave Suite 42, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7E 6H8, Telephone: [phone]