SENIOR PLANNER POLICY & RESEARCH

Toronto Business Enterprise.; Toronto; On-site; Full time

Job summary

A leading government organization is seeking a Senior Planner to lead complex policy and planning initiatives in Toronto. This full-time role emphasizes community infrastructure policies and requires extensive planning experience. The successful candidate will engage with community stakeholders and facilitate public participation in planning processes, making critical contributions to urban development.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading and delivering complex projects related to planning.
• Knowledge of the Planning Act and community engagement processes is crucial.
• Ability to analyze strategic planning issues and develop innovative solutions.

Responsibilities

• Leads and coordinates complex planning and policy projects in the City Planning Division.
• Conducts research and prepares policy recommendations for community infrastructure.
• Facilitates major community engagement initiatives to gather public input.

Skills

Planning

Policy Development

Research

Community Engagement

Critical Thinking

Education

Post-Secondary education in planning, architecture, urban geography, or public policy

Job description

1 month ago Be among the first 25 applicants

• Job Category: Policy, Planning & Research
• Division & Section: City Planning, CP Strategic Initiatives Policy&Analysis
• Job Type & Duration: 2 Temporary vacancies (ending July 25, 2026 & August 25, 2026)
• Hourly Rate and Wage Grade: $66.15 - $72.47, TFS286, Wage Grade 18
• Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week
• Affiliation: L79 Full-time
• Number of Positions Open: 2
• Posting Period: 06-May-2025 to 23-May-2025
  
  

Amendment Type: Amendment #1

Amendment Date: 05/13/2025

Amendment Reason: Posting was extended.

Job ID: 55181

• Job Category: Policy, Planning & Research
• Division & Section: City Planning, CP Strategic Initiatives Policy&Analysis
• Work Location: Metro Hall, 55 John Street
• Job Type & Duration: 2 Temporary vacancies (ending July 25, 2026 & August 25, 2026)
• Hourly Rate and Wage Grade: $66.15 - $72.47, TFS286, Wage Grade 18
• Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week
• Affiliation: L79 Full-time
• Number of Positions Open: 2
• Posting Period: 06-May-2025 to 23-May-2025
  
  

Major Responsibilities

Reporting to the Manager and/or Project Managers in the Policy Unit in the Strategic Initiatives, Policy & Analysis section, the Senior Planner leads and coordinates complex planning, policy and research assignments and initiatives in the City Planning Division.

The emphasis for this position will be on policy development and implementation related to securing new community infrastructure and/or affordable and rental housing matters, including advancing policy frameworks and supporting associated development review.

• Conducts complex planning studies, policy analysis and/or research, including the coordination of staff and consultant teams to support the preparation and evaluation of planning policy, research and analysis and provides advice for policy and community planning activities.
• Leads and coordinates other planners and support staff to ensure project delivery. Prepares and coordinates the development of terms of reference and study designs to support planning, research, and policy studies.
• Represents the Division at Community Councils, Standing Committees and meetings with community groups, citizens, elected officials and managers of other divisions and departments in regards to corporate initiatives, planning and policy studies and in the review of development applications to Council.
• Facilitates stakeholder meetings and major community engagement initiatives. Leads public engagement activities and ensures broad public participation and documentation of feedback.
• Identifies, analyzes and makes recommendations on emerging planning issues and informs colleagues, elected officials and the public of changing trends.
• Maintains current knowledge of municipal policy and research activities and critically analyzes development trends and activity, identifies and advances proactive, innovative solutions and planning policy tailored to address issues and opportunities for practical implementation through the development review process, and/or to inform capital projects.
• Acts as an expert witness on behalf of the City at the Ontario Land Tribunal.
• Prepares reports and a broad range of presentation material for consideration by City Council and its Standing Committees.
• Carries out special planning assignments as required.
  
  

Key Qualifications

Your application must describe your qualifications as they relate to:

• Post-Secondary education in a professional discipline pertinent to the job function (e.g. planning, architecture, urban geography, public policy) or any equivalent combination of education and experience, including membership or eligibility for membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners and Ontario Professional Planning Institute.
• Extensive experience leading and delivering complex projects related to planning, policy and research studies related to community infrastructure and/or affordable and/or rental housing, which includes coordinating assigned staff and overseeing consultants.
• Extensive experience undertaking planning, area-based and infrastructure-related analysis.
• Extensive experience with community engagement and working in a multiple-stakeholder environment.
• Experience in development review processes and/or large-scale revitalization projects.
  
  

You Must Also Have

• Extensive knowledge of the Planning Act, provincial policies and legislation related to land use planning, the Official Plan as well as current regulations and evolving policy trends in the City.
• Knowledge of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and other regulations/legislation that apply to the job duties.
• Highly developed communication skills, both verbally and in writing, with the ability to effectively present the division’s interests at community meetings and in other public forums.
• Highly developed presentation and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization and with elected officials, and the public.
• Ability to use critical thinking skills to identify, develop and analyze strategic and creative solutions on issues related to planning.
• Ability to balance political, community, and other stakeholder interests.
• Ability to develop and maintain solid internal and external relationships.
• Excellent strategic and conceptual skills to develop creative solutions in combination with strong research, analytical and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent technical and project management skills with proven ability to prioritize and complete multiple project assignments.
• Proficiency in research methodologies and their connection to long range policy formulation. Maintains current knowledge of municipal policy and research activities and develops information management techniques and methodologies
  
  

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity.

Accommodation

The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request. Learn more about the City’s Hiring Policies and Accommodation Process.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Other

• Industries

  Government Administration

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