Job Brief: Provides professional planning analysis and advice. Coordinates complex planning, policy and research assignments including the coordination of staff and consultant teams to support the preparation and evaluation of planning policy, research and analysis.

The Development Services Department - Planning Division is hiring a permanent full-time Senior Planner to join our dynamic team.

When you come to work for the City of Kawartha Lakes, you are joining a community of municipal workers who take pride in knowing that every day you are having a positive impact in the community.  Our mission is to deliver the highest standards of municipal services while creating a healthy and sustainable future for all Kawartha Lakes’ residents and businesses. We work to our values of Accountability, Respect and Teamwork and we want you to Jump In with us!!

We are an equal opportunity employer which values equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. We foster a safe and creative work environment, where training and skill development are prioritized, with opportunities and support for career advancement. As a team member at the City of Kawartha Lakes, you may be entitled to the following: flexible work hours, remote and hybrid working arrangements, OMERS pension (defined benefit), employer paid benefits package including short and long term disability income replacement, education reimbursement and other programs that foster innovation, leadership, and career advancement.

Under the direction of the Manager of Planning, this role is key to providing effective leadership and direction in the coordination and management of Pre-consultation and Planning Act Applications. A number of exciting initiatives are underway with regards to site plan control and urban design guidelines.  This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys leading, motivating, and supporting a team, providing staff direction and assisting with the resolution of contentious issues.  In addition to leading the Development Planning team, you will also conduct research, prepare reports, documentation and presentations to Council and Committees and work alongside consulting services.  This is a hybrid position and may require some visibility in our Lindsay office location.

Job Title:              Senior Planner

Wage:                  $46.46 to $50.24 (2024)

Reports to:           Supervisor, Development Planning; Supervisor, Policy Planning 

Department:        Development Services 

Location:              180 Kent St. W, Lindsay, ON

Hours:                  35 hours per week

Position Summary

This position provides professional planning analysis and advice in the coordination of complex planning, policy and research assignments and initiatives, including the coordination of staff and consultant teams to support the preparation and evaluation of planning policy, research and analysis. The Senior Planner will also be expected to facilitate development applications as assigned.

Essential Duties

Specific to this role:

• Perform and coordinate complex professional policy research, analysis, and development in the areas of land use planning, growth management and development
• Review, analyze, process and report on advanced, complex and priority planning applications
• Mentor and provide advice to other Planners
• Coordinate the preparation of notices, draft documents and agency circulation for complex planning applications
• Prepare reports for larger more complex planning applications including official plan and zoning amendments, plans of subdivision and condominium, site plan approval and exemptions, pits and quarry licenses, removal of holding, deeming by-laws, part lot control by-laws, consents and minor variances
• Meet with and present to Council, Committees, government agency staff and the public on planning matters
• Act as the primary contact for the larger more complex planning applications
• Prepare and present at Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) hearings and act as facilitator to resolve disputes involving planning matters

As a member of the professional team:

• Assist management in the development of policies and procedures; administer procedures and recommend resources to achieve strategic objectives
• Complete continuous research and analysis of industry trends and issues to make recommendations to management and remain current in area of specialty; keeping informed of current trends in the planning legislation, practice and techniques, evaluating their impact on the Municipality and recommending any needed policy and procedural improvements
• Manage stakeholder interactions in the supply and receipt of information, analysis, and resolution of issues; respond to enquiries from Council, staff, public, development consultants and related professionals
• Partner with internal process or program owners to share program objectives, analyze gaps, provide advice on actions to be incorporated in other’s processes
• Manage customer service concerns, investigating, problem solving and responding as appropriate
• Maintain documentation and or databases and corporate records in accordance with policy and divisional practice; consider legislative municipal requirements such as the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA)
• Provide data to allow reporting and decision making
• Contribute to the development of annual program need
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Upon a conditional offer of employment, a Criminal Record Check will be required

Interested applicants are encouraged to apply by September 27, 2024 through the Careers page on our website: https://tre.tbe.taleo.net/tre01/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=CITYOFKA&cws=37&rid=2320

The City of Kawartha Lakes will accommodate the needs of applicants in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. Please advise People Services to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated throughout this process.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree in Urban, Rural or Regional Planning or a related field
• Minimum five (5) years of related progressive planning experience, preferably in a municipal environment
• Registered Professional Planner (RPP) designation and member of the Canadian Institute of Planners and the Ontario Professional Planners Institute
• Thorough knowledge of the Planning Act and regulations, planning principles, statutory requirements, by-laws, provincial policies and plans and other regulations applicable to municipal planning, including familiarity with current literature and trends, express knowledge/experience with the Aggregate Resources Act, Condominium Act, Heritage Act and Municipal Act required
• Excellent knowledge of the principles of administrative coordination and techniques required in the administration of planning programs, technical staff, and consultants
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, which include preparation of technical and administrative reports, and extensive experience of addressing public forums
• Demonstrated professional and ethical responsibility to protect privacy, use confidential information appropriately, treat sensitive situations with appropriate degree of tact and discretion
• Demonstrated customer-service and interpersonal skills at a level to develop and to maintain cooperative/collaborative working relationships both within and outside the organization
• Excellent time-management skills with the ability to prioritize workload and meet deadlines, and the ability to deal with multiple demands
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Ability to demonstrate initiative consistently with commitment to quality improvement, sharing process improvement initiatives with management
• Demonstrated proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite of applications, the internet, and any other related software
• Possess and maintain a valid Ontario Class “G” Driver’s Licence or the ability to frequently attend work related activities at various sites within the municipality or at other sites within Ontario

About City of Kawartha Lakes

Why work for the City of Kawartha Lakes? We are an equal opportunity employer which values equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. We foster a safe and creative work environment, where training and skill development are prioritized, with opportunities and support for career advancement. As a team member at the City of Kawartha Lakes, you may be entitled to the following: flexible work hours, remote and hybrid working arrangements, work-life balance, pension plan, benefits package, employee assistance program, and other programs that foster innovation, leadership, and career advancement. The City of Kawartha Lakes is located on the Trent Severn Waterway in central Ontario, and offers a unique mix of urban, rural and waterfront living to its growing population of 80,500. The City is a progressive, forward-thinking community with a positive business environment and a thriving artistic community. Recognized as a prime tourist area for its year-round leisure opportunities, Kawartha Lakes is rich in culture and heritage, a strong agricultural community, and abundant in all the amenities being sought by residents and visitors alike.

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