Social Planner II - Cultural Planner

Township of Muskoka Lakes; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative and inclusive workplace in Vancouver is seeking a Cultural Planner II to lead significant arts and cultural infrastructure projects. This role involves directing multi-year initiatives, engaging with community stakeholders, and developing policies that support the arts sector. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in arts management and community planning, with a passion for fostering equity and inclusion within the cultural landscape. Join a dedicated team committed to enhancing the quality of life for all residents while navigating complex planning issues and facilitating community engagement.

Qualifications

• University degree in arts or community planning, preferably at the Master’s level.
• Extensive experience in the arts and culture sector.

Responsibilities

• Directs major arts and cultural infrastructure projects and policy development.
• Leads community planning projects and engages with stakeholders.
• Drafts policies and presents recommendations to City Council.

Skills

Policy Development

Community Engagement

Project Management

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Education

Master's Degree in Arts Management

Bachelor's Degree in Community Planning

Job description

Social Planner II - Cultural Planner

Requisition ID: 43720

Organization
Located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver is committed to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most livable and environmentally sustainable cities. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity, and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our dedicated team and being part of an innovative, inclusive, and engaging workplace. Working at the City of Vancouver and within the public service offers a rewarding career where you play a key role in ensuring impartial and equitable access to services, upholding ethical governance, and addressing the needs of citizens with integrity and dedication.

Main Purpose and Function
The Cultural Planner II in Arts, Culture, and Community Services is responsible for directing and delivering multi-year major arts and cultural infrastructure projects, planning, and policy development. This includes overseeing arts and cultural aspects of community, area planning, and major re-zonings. The role involves designing, directing, and implementing interdepartmental work, as well as reviewing and modifying City processes to better support the arts and culture sector, which can be complex and politically sensitive.

Within the Cultural Spaces team, this position oversees program development and policy to support the cultural sector, including planning processes, regulatory policies and bylaws, area and community planning, major project development, cultural infrastructure grants, awards, and long-range capital planning. Specific projects include supporting the Rupert Renfrew plan, implementing the FLATS plan, and developing new cultural spaces throughout the city (Eastside Arts District, Dance Centre site acquisition, Firehall Arts Centre, and Arts Starts space).

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides policy advice on complex cultural and social issues based on experience and knowledge from cultural infrastructure delivery, data and research, stakeholder/partnership consultation, including regulatory and policy reviews, and efforts of civic, community, and other government agencies to implement improvements.
• Leads various area and community planning projects, involving consultation with arts and cultural stakeholders and the community to identify cultural priorities and develop policies and public benefit strategies to achieve cultural goals.
• Leads major cultural infrastructure projects involving community stakeholders, staff, consultants, architects, and developers.
• Performs policy research and studies, engaging consultants on best approaches to deliver community and Council priorities.
• Coordinates with internal/external government representatives, private sector interests, creative industry representatives, artists, non-profit organizations, cultural communities, and citizen groups.
• Drafts policies, prepares departmental responses, authors reports, and presents recommendations to civic departments, senior staff, City Council, and other agencies.
• Facilitates non-profit and public cultural facilities through City processes.
• Analyzes, interprets, and provides input into legal agreements, bylaws, zoning, policies, rezoning, permits, licenses, and budgets.
• Assists with cultural facility planning and development assignments.
• Coordinates and chairs meetings, representing the department on interdepartmental reviews and projects.
• Responds to inquiries and performs other work as required.
• Provides supervisory oversight over staff and consultants as needed.
• Advises staff in other civic departments on major projects.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
Education and Experience:

• University degree in arts, arts management, or community planning, preferably at the Master’s level, with considerable experience, or a combination of education and relevant experience.
• Extensive experience working within the arts and culture sector, with knowledge of Vancouver’s arts and culture ecosystem.
• Experience with complex planning issues within the public sector and municipal processes.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge of the arts and culture sector, including community-based non-profit organizations, especially those with a capacity-building mandate serving populations with barriers to equity and inclusion.
• Deep understanding of the living culture and history of the Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh Nations, and urban Indigenous Peoples.
• Knowledge of municipal land use planning, land and development economics.
• Familiarity with grant and award programs, budgeting, and financial statements.
• Strong methodological, analytical, creative, and conceptual skills, with experience facilitating complex issues.
• Ability to apply core equity lenses: Indigenous Rights, Racial Justice, Intersectionality, and Systems Change.
• Capacity to develop innovative policies and solutions impacting City priorities related to cultural infrastructure.
• Ability to develop and present evidence-based recommendations to senior staff, Council, and stakeholders.
• Proficiency in organizing, coordinating, and tracking multiple complex projects and stakeholder relationships.
• Diplomatic and persuasive communication skills, including managing public meetings on sensitive topics.
• Effective response to media inquiries.
• Excellent multitasking skills in fast-paced environments, with strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and in teams, with conflict resolution skills.

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