Planner

Job Details

POSITION TITLE: Planner
REPORTS TO: Director of Corporate Services/Clerk

POSITION SUMMARY:
Reporting to the Director of Corporate Services/Clerk, the Planner will process planning applications including zoning amendments, official plan amendments, plans of subdivisions, condominiums, Consents, site plans, and minor variance applications. The Planner will also manage key projects for the department including reviews of the Official Plan, Comprehensive Zoning By-law, and Site Plan Guidelines. The position requires the provision of excellent customer service in responding to zoning and planning related inquiries, liaising with Municipal, and Provincial governments, and providing professional planning advice to the Corporation, the public and potential applicants. The Planner will also provide interpretation and recommendations on various planning matters, and
present comments and recommendations to the Committee of Adjustment and Council.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Support and manage resources for the planning department.
2. Ensure compliance with relevant legislation requirements.
3. Manage, analyze, and make recommendations on a range of development applications, including conducting site visits.
4. Prepare notices, planning reports, zoning by-laws and official plan amendments and defend the position at the Ontario Land Tribunal.
5. Directs the Township’s Official Plan and zoning by-law review, processes long range planning objectives and strategies, identifying, and overseeing the review of special study areas, facilitating, and ensuring public consultation/participation on same, and reviewing and/or preparing associated reports and recommendations to Council.
6. Develops and facilitates implementation of annual departmental goals and objectives that are aligned with Council’s direction and annual operating budgets.

DESCRIPTION OF DETAILED DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Prepares reports and memorandums and makes recommendations for consideration by Council and Committee; attends Council and Committee meetings, building and development related meetings and other meetings as required; makes presentations and provides advice/guidance on applications, zoning issues and new or pending legislation and regulatory standards/guidelines.
2. Responsible for the Committee of Adjustment, provides recommendations and professional planning advice to the Committee of Adjustment for Minor Variances, acts as Secretary/Treasurer which includes preparing agendas, minutes, and staff reports, attending meetings and presenting information to the Committee.
3. Processes Zoning Amendments, Official Plan Amendments, and Site Plan Applications, which includes meeting with applicants, preparing applications for circulation and preparing staff reports.
4. Reviews and provides recommendations to Council regarding draft plans of subdivisions, condominiums, and consents from the Parry Sound Area Planning Board.
5. Coordinate fulfilling conditions with external clients (i.e. surveyors, lawyers, applicants, agents,), and respond to inquiries on the files.
6. Responds to inquiries from and/or liaises with the development/building community, internal departments, other governments/agencies, residents, elected officials and others on Municipal planning matters.
7. Assists in major planning projects for the department, including reviews of Comprehensive Zoning By-law, Official Plan, Site Plan Guidelines and other policies.
8. Prepare Notices as required by the Planning Act, including the key plan and appropriate maps.
9. Prepares for and represents the Municipality at LPAT hearings, as necessary.
10. Assists in the preparation of and makes recommendations for annual operating and capital budgets and longer-range forecasts for the mapping and planning application related functions.
11. Serves as staff contact for the Aggregate Resources Act.
12. Performs site visits for planning applications and assists with Zoning inspection activities, including monitoring administration of the Municipality’s Zoning By-law and providing guidance on interpretation of permitted uses and associated development standards.
13. Assists in the review and evaluation of Planning Services Branch administrative and service delivery processes with a view to streamlining/updating practices and fostering excellence in customer service.
14. Undertakes special projects and performs other duties as assigned, in accordance with departmental or corporate objectives.
15. Works in a friendly and courteous manner and communicates effectively with coworkers, supervisors, elected officials, and the general public.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS
1. Thorough working knowledge of the Planning Act and other building/zoning/property maintenance- related legislation/regulations/standards and related enforcement processes.
2. Significant demonstrated experience in review and preparation of various planning applications.
3. Excellent interpersonal, project/time management, analytical, communication, presentation, problem-solving/mediation, and staff leadership and supervisory skills.
4. Excellent written and verbal communication, administrative, organizational, analytical, problem- solving, research, and time management skills.
5. Ability to work effectively within a municipal environment and with staff teams and external alliances/partners.

CREDENTIALS REQUIRED/DESIRED
1. Applicants must have a University degree in Planning or related planning discipline.
2. Membership eligibility with the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI), with preference for full member.
3. Minimum of three years of municipal experience as a Planner.
4. Excellent computer skills using the Microsoft Office Suite.
5. Class “G” Driver’s License.
6. Availability to attend evening and/or weekend meetings or other events as required.
7. Advanced experience working with Microsoft Office products.
8. Experience working with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software considered and asset.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:
1. Physical demands require computer usage, walking, sitting, and occasional lifting and moving file boxes and other records weighing up to 20 lbs.
2. Working conditions vary from a normal office environment to exposure to dust while working with file storage and some climbing of stairs and possible exposure to public criticism.
3. Mental alertness to ensure the safety of others.
4. Exposure to public criticism.
5. Work outside normal working hours will be required for matters such as attending evening meetings.

We thank all applicants for their interest and advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted. In accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act and will only be used for the purpose of candidate selection.

Please submit your resume to

Lori West, Director of Corporate Services/Clerk

Municipality of McDougall

5 Barager Blvd.

McDougall, ON P2A 2W9

(705) 342-5252 

lwest@mcdougall.ca 

Review of applications will begin immediately, and continue until the position is filled.

ATTENTION JOB SEEKERS • The job description presented in this posting is solely that of the employer. The YMCA Employment Service is not responsible for the accuracy, reliability or currency of this information and does not accept any liability for the conduct and/or practices of employer.