Senior Policy Planner

Town of Canmore; Canmore; On-site; CAD 117,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

A Municipal Government in Canmore is seeking a Senior Policy Planner to lead the development of planning documents in alignment with community goals. This position will involve managing projects, mentoring staff, and collaborating with various stakeholders. The ideal candidate will possess a degree in planning, significant experience, and strong communication skills. Attractive salary package included, alongside benefits and a commitment to work-life balance.

Benefits

Competitive Salary

Benefits package

Personal wellness plan

EDO - Earned Day Off program

Personal development opportunities

Work-Life Balance

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible and varied planning experience required.
• Experience presenting and facilitating meetings with stakeholders and council required.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative environment is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute project work plans from design to completion.
• Investigate and analyze complex urban planning issues.
• Lead cross-disciplinary teams and manage planning staff.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Project management

Analytical problem-solving

Collaboration and teamwork

Education

Graduate or bachelor’s degree in planning or a related field

Registered Professional Planner or equivalent

Tools

MS Office Suite

Basic mapping/GIS

Job description

Why work for the Town of Canmore?

Our Planning & Development team are a dedicated and passionate group of professionals committed to building community within the magnificent Rocky Mountain environment we call home. Our planning landscape includes a unique variety of issues and considerations that fill our work with new challenges, and an opportunity to apply concepts and approaches that are unique to Canmore. As an organization, the Town of Canmore exists to serve the community and visitors to Canmore, to support a sustainable future for all, and to ensure the most efficient and effective use of taxpayer dollars.

Position Overview

The Senior Policy Planner is responsible for the development of a variety of statutory and secondary planning documents that ensures development takes place in alignment with the Town’s Municipal Development Plan and other policies, and advances the community goals around planning for human use and growth management. As a senior team member, this position acts in a supervisory role for staff and provides additional oversight and mentorship of the work in the department to ensure support and achievement of strategic Planning directions.

This is the perfect role for an active leader with a collaborative work style, who can translate visionary and strategic planning and development priorities into concrete policies that meets or exceeds the objectives set by Town Council.

Core Responsibilities

Research, analysis and reporting

• Investigate, analyze and identify solutions to complex urban planning and policy issues.
• Develop plans, strategies and frameworks that build the capacity of local partners on a wide range of planning matters, such as climate change, housing, development regulation, and urban growth
• Researches, reviews, recommends, produces, and presents statutory and regulatory planning documents for consideration by Council
• Ensures alignment with the provisions of the Municipal Government Act, Town Bylaws and policies, as they apply to achieving strategic planning goals within the community
• Research and draft reports on special projects as assigned by the Manager
• Acts as the Planning and Development representative on inter‑disciplinary projects and studies, as assigned by the Manager
• Design and implement engagement activities with public and stakeholder organizations such as through workshops, focus groups, advisory groups, surveys and interviews.
• With the collaboration of the Town’s Communications Department, lead, facilitate and oversee the planning and execution of meetings and public and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Provide planning advice, recommendations and presentations to Administration and Council on strategic planning policy and implementation measures required to achieve planning goals and objectives within the community
• Make presentations at public meetings (e.g. Council, committees, community engagement)
• Collaborate with other departments on the development of strategic planning policy to identify synergies and operational impacts

Project management

• Develop and execute project work plans, from project design to implementation.
• Manage project budgets and organize project resources to ensure deliverables meet scope, schedule, quality requirements.
• Lead and manage cross-disciplinary teams that include multiple sub-consultants and stakeholder groups.
• Manage and oversee planning staff and interns, including consultants.
• Work with communications staff to develop and design communication and outreach materials such as newsletters, websites, posters, press releases and social media content.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with local partners and stakeholders.

Education & Qualifications

• Graduate or bachelor’s degree in planning or a related field – required
• Registered Professional Planner or equivalent - required

Experience

• Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible and varied planning experience – required (3-5 years in the development of planning policy)
• Strong communication skills – demonstrated listening, negotiation, written and oral abilities; specifically, the ability to clearly articulate and transform complex ideas into clear narratives – required
• Experience presenting and facilitating meetings with council, public, community engagement and stakeholder groups – required
• Intermediate to advanced computer skills, including MS Office Suite, basic mapping/GIS – required
• Demonstrated progression of responsibility, including direct supervision of staff and/or consultants – preferred
• Demonstrated ability to work in a customer‑oriented and collaborative teamwork environment – required
• Analyzes and solves problems systematically – required
• Organizational habits to understand, realistically plan for and meet deadlines, while adapting to changing demands and priorities – required

Salary & Benefits

• Salary Range- $117,335.40 – $123,851.00 per year
• Competitive Salary, benefits package, & personal wellness plan
• Generous RSP matching plan
• EDO‑Earned Day Off program
• Personal development & learning opportunities
• Work‑Life Balance

Closing Date for Applications

This posting will remain open until filled

How to Apply

To apply, please combine your cover letter and resume into a single document (PDF or Word) and click the “ Apply Now ” button be

To help us learn more about you, in your cover letter please clearly detail the following:

• Why do you want to work as a Senior Planner for the Town of Canmore?
• What skills, experience, and (most importantly) attitude will you bring to enhance the team and enrich our community?

Prior to beginning work, the successful candidate will be required to submit all required certifications and documentation, including driver`s abstract and records checks. The Town of Canmore wishes to express our appreciation to all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for this position. However, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

The Town of Canmore is committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and make employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, family status, ancestry, place of origin, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

We believe diversity strengthens our organization, and we encourage applications from all qualified individuals. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [e-mail]