Position Summary:
As a senior member of the Planning and Development Department, the Senior Planner provides expert professional leadership in current development, long-range planning and complex project work in support of the City’s overall operations and growth. The Senior Planner leads the analysis, coordination and delivery of statutory and non-statutory plans, subdivision and development permit applications against the appropriate principles, regulations and policies; leads major statutory planning initiatives; leads and participates in intermunicipal planning processes; advances the implementation and continuous improvement of the City’s statutory planning framework; and provides authoritative planning advice to staff, developers, the general public and Council.
Operating with minimum supervision, the Senior Planner leads complex planning projects, exercises rational, well-reasoned and defensible decision-making, and develops creative solutions to complicated planning problems. As the most senior professional planner in the team, the Senior Planner leads, guides and mentors Planner I, Planner II and other junior and support staff, and may lead a team of planners on major initiatives.
Key Accountabilities:
- Lead, coordinate and mentor a team of planners - including Planner I’s, Planner II’s and other junior and support staff; set priorities, review work, motivate the team toward continuous improvement, and support professional growth and development.
- Lead complex statutory planning projects, including Land Use Bylaw rewrites, Municipal Development Plan amendments and comprehensive rewrites, and the preparation of Area Structure Plans, Area Redevelopment Plans and Intermunicipal Development Plans, in alignment with the Municipal Government Act and Alberta’s statutory plan hierarchy.
- Lead the development, review and implementation of municipal planning policies, statutory and non-statutory documents, and land use and development guidelines and processes, in alignment with provincial legislation and municipal objectives.
- Exercise sound, rational and defensible professional judgment and develop creative, practical solutions to complicated, sensitive and contentious planning problems, with minimum supervision.
- Oversee the review and processing of complex development permit and subdivision applications, ensuring compliance with municipal bylaws, regulations and planning principles; prepare and present reports and recommendations to Council, Committees, Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB), Land and Property Rights Tribunal (LPRT) and others, as required.
- Lead public consultation and stakeholder engagement processes, facilitate and mediate to guide quality outcomes, and gather community input on significant planning initiatives and development proposals.
- Conduct and oversee land use analysis, site assessments and feasibility studies; evaluate proposed developments, subdivisions and land use changes for their impact on the community, environment and infrastructure, providing recommendations to municipal decision-makers.
- Manage planning projects and programs from initiation to completion, including defining project scopes, timelines, budgets and resource allocation, while ensuring quality and compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Collaborate with internal departments such as engineering, transportation, environmental services, parks and economic development to integrate planning considerations into broader municipal initiatives and projects.
- Interpret municipal bylaws, policies and regulations for developers, property owners and other stakeholders, and support compliance through inspections, enforcement actions and legal proceedings when necessary.
- Provide authoritative technical expertise and guidance on planning matters to municipal staff, Council, advisory committees and the public, serving as the subject matter expert on planning issues and processes.
- Stay well-informed of current planning trends, best practices and legislative changes, and pursue ongoing professional development in urban planning, sustainability and community development.
- Maintain confidentiality and security of information related to the City; uses confidential information appropriately and responsibly.
- Ensure a safe and healthy work environment for staff, visitors, the community and stakeholders (e.g., participates in workplace safety initiatives, participates in formal and informal worksite safety and environment inspections and audits), ensures compliance with the City’s Health and Safety Management System, reports and assists in the analysis of near misses or incidents.
- Participate as a member of the Chestermere Emergency Response team in preparing and enabling the community to respond in the event of a local or regional disaster.
- Other similar duties, as assigned from time to time.
Note: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent of this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and activities required of this position.
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in Urban and/or Regional Planning or a related discipline (e.g., geography, environmental design) is required.
- Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in municipal land use planning, including land development in a municipal environment is required.
- Direct experience leading and mentoring a team of planners and managing complex statutory planning projects (e.g., Land Use Bylaw and Municipal Development Plan preparation/amendment, Area Structure Plans) is preferred.
Certifications and/or Documentation:
- Full membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners (MCIP) and the Registered Professional Planner (RPP) designation through the Alberta Professional Planners Institute (APPI) are required.
- Valid Class 5 Alberta Driver’s Licence and Driver’s Abstract deemed satisfactory by the City is required.
- Criminal Record Check deemed satisfactory by the City is required.
Expected Skills and Attributes:
- In-depth knowledge of statutory planning, land use bylaws and the development and subdivision approval processes, with a strong understanding of the Municipal Government Act and the planning framework and hierarchy commonly used in Alberta.
- Strategic, analytical and creative thinking skills; proven ability to develop creative solutions to complicated problems, make rational and well-informed decisions, negotiate and deal effectively with people in difficult or contentious situations.
- Proven leadership and workflow coordination capability; ability to lead, mentor and motivate a team of planners toward continuous improvement and to encourage staff to make recommendations.
- Ability to act as an advocate, balancing the needs of staff and stakeholders with the needs of the City.
- Comprehensive knowledge of governance issues, e.g., policy development and interpretation.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including strong report-writing and public-presentation skills; ability to maintain ongoing communication to anticipate and prevent potential problems and to build positive, effective working relationships with Council, staff, the public and other stakeholders.
- Business acumen, including budget management and grant or contract management skills; ability to make effective decisions that are well-informed and reflect the input gathered from stakeholders.
- Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, site and engineering plans, Real Property Reports and specifications related to planning, land use and subdivision applications.
- Strong work ethic and highly motivated; ability to work in a fast-paced environment and respond to action requests and competing deadlines in a timely manner.
- Proficiency with MS Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) is required; working knowledge of GIS is considered an asset.
Working Conditions:
- When in the office, normal office conditions; long periods of sitting, reading, and concentration.
- May be required to attend Council, Committee and community meetings, which may extend beyond regular work hours, as well as occasional meetings or site visits outside regular hours.
Union: CUPE Local 5592
Position Type: Full Time, Permanent
Location: City Hall
Pay: $115,000.00 per year. Pay Grade will be determined by position placement.
Days of Work: Monday to Friday
Pay: Up to $115,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision care
- Wellness program
Work Location: In person
