Contribute to the City of Hamilton, one of Canada’s largest cities - home to a diverse and strong economy, an active and inclusive community, a robust cultural and dining scene, hundreds of kilometers of hiking trails and natural beauty just minutes from the downtown core, and so much more. Join our diverse team of talented and ambitious staff who embody our values of sensational service, courageous change, steadfast integrity, collective ownership and being engaged empowered employees. Help us achieve our vision of being the best place to raise a child and age successfully. #BeTheReason

• Job ID #31570 Senior Planner - Community Planning
• Union: CUPE Local 5167
• Job Description ID #: 1185
• Close date: Interested applicants please submit your application online at www.hamilton.ca/city-council/jobs-city by 4:00 p.m. on December 24, 2025. 
• Internal applicants should apply with your work e-mail address. External applicants are considered only after the internal posting process has been completed. Only applicants chosen for an interview will be contacted.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES

Reports to the Community Planning Program Lead – Sustainable Communities Section.  Prepares and administers secondary plans, neighbourhood plans and community strategies; formulates and expedites public consultation processes; co-ordinates and conducts research and formulates policies related to long-range land use and policy planning; undertakes and co-ordinates project work in multi-disciplinary teams; and prepares and present reports and recommendations.

GENERAL DUTIES

• Prepare new complex Secondary Plans and review existing Secondary Plans including policy and mapping, in coordination with other Departments, agencies and stakeholders.
• Develop study frameworks and prepare terms of reference for projects, policy initiatives and other land use/development planning related matters for various geographic scales to be undertaken by staff or consultants.
• Undertake project management tasks for projects, including establishing and directing project teams in task coordination and project deliverables; monitor and report on project progress.
• Direct the preparation of graphic materials for inclusion in reports, presentations and other planning related documents.
• Review, provide comments and recommendations on complex reports, studies, proposals, planning policy documents and federal, provincial or municipal planning documents to evaluate impacts on planning and development in the City of Hamilton.
• Interprets legislation and Provincial policy such as the Planning Act.
• Determines compliance of Capital Works, local improvements and development applications with Official Plans and Secondary Plans.
• Undertake and/or coordinate research, surveys and complex studies by collecting, evaluating, summarizing and reporting on data.
• Compile and analyze information from various sources to identify and evaluate alternatives, formulate conclusions to balance competing interests including planning and municipal objectives; and prepare and present recommendations for consideration by Committees and City Council.
• Collect, compile, analyze and interpret planning related data from sources such as the census, surveys, and development applications for input into various departmental and corporate projects.
• Develop, coordinate and/or lead public engagement processes such as public information meetings, open houses and stakeholder/neighbourhood meetings. Summarize and report on the outcomes of the public engagement process.
• Research and write complex reports on planning policy, zoning and other municipal issues for a variety of geographic scales.
• Conduct site inspections; take notes and photographs to ensure accurate assessments of the site/area.
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary teams.
• Liaise with ministries, municipalities, developers and other agencies on planning matters.
• Receive and answer written and verbal inquiries from staff, the public, elected officials, other departments, agencies municipalities, other levels of government, developers and from community groups and outside agencies including receiving and answering inquiries at counter, in accordance with Departmental and corporate procedures.
• Act as the Department’s representative to provide planning support and expertise at meetings such as technical steering committees, advisory Committees of Council, meetings with other planning staff, senior management, developers, clients, other departments and the public regarding Development Applications, the Official Plan, by-law amendments and/or other planning related initiatives.
• Prepare, coordinate and present evidence as an expert witness at hearings, such as Ontario Land Tribunal hearings.
• Periodically train, co-ordinate and provide technical planning support and expertise to planners and technicians as dictated by the needs of the Section.
• Periodically direct and provide planning support and expertise to students; recommend the hiring of and evaluate students as dictated by the needs of the Section.
• Work in accordance with the provisions of applicable Health and Safety legislation and all City of Hamilton corporate and departmental policies and procedures related to Occupational Health and Safety.
• Perform other duties as assigned which are directly related to the major responsibilities of the job.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Degree in Planning or related discipline from a University.
2.  Applicant must be a full member of the Canadian Institute of Planners and have a minimum of 5 years of progressive planning experience in Official Plan policy and Zoning By-law regulation development and project management experience.
3.  Some supervisory experience would be desirable.
4.  Considerable knowledge of the principles, practices and objectives of municipal planning with focus on policy planning, knowledge of the principles and practices of the multi-disciplinary areas of municipal planning.  Knowledge of the current literature, trends and developments in the area of secondary and community planning.
5.  Considerable knowledge of the Planning Act and Municipal Class EA processes.
6.  Knowledge of the principles and practices of the multi-disciplinary areas of municipal planning.
7.  Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and to motivate subordinates.
8.  Demonstrated ability to plan, assign and supervise the work of subordinates in a team environment.
9.  Demonstrated ability to express ideas effectively, orally and in writing.
10.  Demonstrated ability and experience in formulating and expediting a public consultation process.
11.  Demonstrated ability in preparing Official Plan Amendments.
12.  Demonstrated experience preparing and giving oral presentations to the community (eg. Public Information Centres).
13.  Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
14.  Demonstrated experience co-ordinating, preparing and presenting evidence as expert witness on Official Plan and related matters at OLT Hearings.

Disclaimer:

Be advised that Human Resources frequently audits resumes of internal/external applicants to ensure/validate information provided is consistent and trustworthy. Falsification of information provided at any time throughout the recruitment process may be grounds for disqualification, and for internal applicants, subject to discipline up to and including termination.

Terms:

The City is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes. Consistent with our Values and Corporate Culture Pillars, the City of Hamilton is committed to providing equitable treatment to all with respect to barrier-free employment and accommodation without discrimination. The City will provide accommodation for applicants in all aspects of the hiring process, up to the point of undue hardship.  If you have an accommodation need, please contact Human Resources as soon as possible to make appropriate arrangements. 

About City of Hamilton

Contribute to the City of Hamilton, one of Canada’s largest cities - home to a diverse and strong economy, an active and inclusive community, a robust cultural and dining scene, hundreds of kilometres of hiking trails and natural beauty just minutes from the downtown core, and so much more. Join our diverse team of talented and ambitious staff who embody our values of sensational service, courageous change, steadfast integrity, collective ownership and being engaged empowered employees. Help us achieve our vision of being the best place to raise a child and age successfully.

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