Senior Planner - Policy (202657)

Town of Halton Hills; Halton Hills; Hybrid; CAD 114,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of Halton Hills is seeking an experienced Professional Planner to lead policy research, formulation and the project management of municipal planning initiatives.

You will collaborate with staff, consultants, and Council to advance Official Plan reviews, zoning amendments, and public consultation programs, drawing on a strong Ontario planning background and excellent communication skills. Hybrid onsite/remote work available.

Qualifications

• Ten years of land use planning experience, preferably in municipal settings.
• Four-year university degree in urban and regional planning.
• RPP certification and CIP/OPPI membership.
• In-depth knowledge of provincial, regional planning and conservation authorities.
• Experience leading Official Plan reviews, zoning amendments and related studies.
• Strong communication and ability to present at hearings and meetings.

Responsibilities

• Project management, coordination and administration of planning projects including consultants.
• Provide professional planning advice to customers, departments, agencies and Town Council.
• Prepare planning reports to Council and present them formally.
• Develop Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments and conduct policy research.
• Provide policy analysis on provincial and regional initiatives for Town programs.
• Research and prepare policy planning studies and public consultation programs.
• Develop planning information and support other departments with data.
• Represent Town at meetings, hearings, and inter-agency committees; mentor staff.

Skills

Policy research

Project management

Policy analysis

Public speaking

Report writing

Interpersonal communication

Time management

ArcGIS

Data interpretation

Education

Four-Year University Degree in Urban & Regional Planning

Registered Professional Planner (RPP)

CIP/OPPI membership

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Access

PowerPoint

ArcGIS

Job description

Reporting to the Director of Planning Policy, you will be responsible for policy research and formulation, and the project management of a broad range of municipally initiated planning projects.

You are a professional planner who has excellent communication skills, a strong command of the fundamentals of professional planning along with several years of experience and a desire to work in a collaborative, positive team environment where you can make a difference and continue to grow your career.

Accountabilities:

• Project management, coordination, and administration of a broad range of municipally initiated growth management and policy projects, including managing the activities of consultants
• Providing professional planning advice on matters related to various policy projects to customers, other Departments, agencies, Senior Management, Town Council, Town Committees, and associated boards/committees in accordance with obligations and competencies specified as a professional planner certified to practice in the Province of Ontario
• Preparing detailed planning reports to Council on policy matters, and attending Council meetings to present/explain these reports including formal presentations
• Preparing Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments establishing Town-wide land use policy and regulatory standards, and conducting policy research as required
• Providing policy analysis on Provincial and Regional planning initiatives in terms of implications for the Town’s programs and strategic objectives
• Researching and preparing policy planning studies
• Developing effective public consultation programs for policy planning initiatives
• Developing tabular and spatial planning information to support policy planning, and providing value-added information to other departments for planning purposes
• Attending on-site, off-site, virtual, and evening meetings to represent the Town as required, including inter-agency committees and reporting to the Director of Planning Policy
• Attending Ontario Land Tribunal hearings and other hearings conducted under Provincial legislation on behalf of the Town, providing oral and written evidence, and defending the same under cross-examination
• Mentoring of other Policy and Planning staff
• Special Projects assigned by the Director of Planning Policy
• Other job-related duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Ten years of land use planning experience, preferably in a municipal environment
• Four-Year University Degree in Urban & Regional Planning or a related field
• Membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners and O.P.P.I as a Registered Professional Planner (RPP)
• In-depth knowledge of Provincial, Regional, and Conservation Authority planning.
• Specific knowledge/expertise in environmental planning an asset.
• Proven project management experience leading the preparation and coordination of policy projects such as Official Plan Reviews, Secondary Plans, and Scoped Subwatershed Studies.
• Ability to undertake complex assignments with minimal supervision
• Effective time management/organizational skills to prioritize competing tasks, conflicting due dates and meet legislated and corporate timelines
• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills including presentation skills and ability to present evidence at the Ontario Land Tribunal, other Boards and Committees and in Court on planning matters
• Ability to formulate/develop sound planning policy to guide Council decision-making that is defensible at the Ontario Land Tribunal
• Strong dispute resolution and negotiation skills to balance divergent interests in the planning process
• Ability to think creatively and use ingenuity to resolve unique problems pertaining to policy formulation matters
• Excellent researching and statistical analysis skills.
• Ability to utilize computer software as necessary, including MS Word, Excel, Access and Power Point at an intermediate level and ArcGIS skills considered an asset

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

Compensation:

The salary for this position (35 hours per week) is $113,709 - $135,367 per annum.

Location:

This position allows for a blend of working onsite and remotely based on the needs of the business.