Reporting to the Chief Planner, the Senior Policy Planner/Project Manager position is responsible for leading strategic policy planning initiatives and projects including Official Plan updates, Secondary Plans, OP conformity and policy planning studies. As the policy lead, the Senior Policy Planner/Project Manager will provide leadership, guidance and technical competence with respect to research, policy analysis, and recommendation report writing while supervising the daily responsibilities and tasks of both the Planner and planning student positions.  As Project Manager, the Senior Policy Planner is responsible for developing Requests for Proposal to hire external consultants to undertake various policy planning related projects and overseeing the capital budget of consultants.

Planning Administration

• Supervising and leading the Planner and Student Planner positions in the policy branch of the Development Services Planning Division; ensure efficient/effective organization of work, staff resources and project timelines
• Review and author recommended policy amendments to the Official Plan and performance standards and regulations to the Comprehensive Zoning By-law to ensure conformity with provincial policies and plans, legislation, as well as the Regional Official Plan
• Research, analyze, and prepare written reports regarding industry best practices in policy development and municipal approaches
• Review Environmental Registry (ERO) for proposed legislation and decisions and recommend next steps and potential for a modified work program
• Monitor land use planning trends and emerging issues and municipal responses to a changing policy planning landscape
• Authorship of recommended Official Plan policies as part of housekeeping amendments and/or external consultant planning project
• Develop Requests for Proposals to hire external consultants to undertake various policy planning related projects, including preparing project scope of work and/or terms of reference
• Evaluate consultant submissions for Requests for Proposals and make recommendation for consultant selection
• Plan, lead and/or oversee external consultants work with respect to Secondary/Neighbourhood Plans, sub watershed studies, growth management, employment lands, affordable housing, climate change and other land use policy matters.
• Monitor and evaluate internal staff and external consultants performance
• Ensure projects are delivered on time and on budget
• Oversee the capital budget of consultant projects
• Lead public consultation events and activities related to annual work plan projects
• Prepare and present reports to Council, the public, and stakeholder groups on policy projects and initiatives
• Chair interdepartmental and/or Technical advisory committees/working groups dedicated to policy planning projects and initiatives
• Other duties as assigned.

• 4-year honours post-secondary degree in Planning or related field; graduate level Master’s degree in Planning or related field is preferred
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively more responsible policy planning experience
• Minimum of two (2) years of municipal planning experience is preferred
• Minimum of one (1) year experience in supervising professional staff is preferred
• Minimum of one (1) year experience in project management with external consultants is an asset
• Extensive knowledge of Provincial and Regional land use planning policies
• Experience with various GIS applications is an asset
• Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners and a Registered Professional Planner (MCIP, RPP) is preferred;
• Provisional/candidate membership with the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) and the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) will be considered, however future full membership will be a requirement of an employment contract.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification is an asset

About City of Thorold

Thorold, Ontario is a community rich in history! Our community is home to approximately 22,000 residents and has been recognized for the best weather in Ontario. Thorold has been the recipient of the Prince of Wales Prize for Municipal Heritage, awarded by the National Trust of Canada, one of the most prestigious awards a municipality can receive when it comes to Heritage. Locate centrally in the Niagara Region, Thorold is known for the Welland Canal's twinned flight locks, where ships climb the mountain. Each year, these three (3) locks attract thousands of tourists to our city. Residents enjoy a number of pristine parks including, the Battle of Beaverdams Park, DeCew House Heritage Park and the First Nations Peace Monument. When you are in our area, be sure to visit the Lock 7 Viewing Centre, climb aboard the Port Robinson Ferry, take a walk in our historic downtown and shop locally in our shopping district. Thorold is the perfect place to live, work and play.

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