Social Planner II

Requisition ID: 42350

Organization

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world's most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

Main Purpose and Function
The Social Planner II is responsible for coordinating across multiple teams and departments to lead the integration of cultural, social, childcare, and public art amenities within the development and roll out of new Provincial Legislation (specifically Bill 46, Bill18), and major infrastructure project planning. This includes confirming development needs, service levels, and social and cultural infrastructure and policy priorities.

The position plays an important role in long range planning for major social and cultural amenities such as negotiating, securing, and developing new, renewed, retention, and expansion of cultural, social-purpose, and childcare facilities within the context of new financing models, legislation and the development of a new Official Development Plan. The position leads, plans and implements a variety of programs and project specific work.

This position works within the City's processes for planning, development, and financing, often involving complex and sensitive issues, including developing long-range policies, plans and bylaws. The position brings expertise to a range of complex issues and needs, working collaboratively to support critical decisions, partnerships, projects, plans and strategies. The work requires significant coordination of interests across City departments, the private sector, non-profit sector, advocacy groups and other external stakeholders.

The position helps to advance and support policies related to social infrastructure, childcare and cultural spaces, including Council approved Social Infrastructure Strategy, Childcare Strategy and Making Space for Arts and Culture Strategy as well as the work of inter-related City policy, priorities and guidelines, including, but not limited to the City of Reconciliation Framework, the Equity Framework, the Women's Equity Strategy, the Healthy City Strategy, Poverty Reduction, and the Vancouver Food Strategy. In future, this position may be reassigned to focus on other Social Planner II related work within the division based on operational need.

Reports to Planner III in Arts and Culture and may supervise one or more junior staff positions. The position works closely with internal and external stakeholders on a regular basis, and requires considerable liaison with government representatives and officials, members of boards, private agencies and community organizations, with considerable independent judgement. The role will include supervisory responsibilities and oversee a Policy Analyst.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Leads the implementation of City strategies, policies, plans and guidelines related to culture, childcare and social infrastructure and the new legislation and Official Development Plan
• Provides project management, planning, research and data analysis and policy response of Bill 46: Housing Statutes (Financing Growth) and Bill 18: Vancouver Charter Amendment Act as it relates to social and cultural priorities
• Collaborates with other departments (e.g. Planning, Urban Design & Sustainability, Real Estate and Facilities Management, Finance, Law) in developing recommendations and policy response
• Works within the City's processes for planning and development (including rezoning and development permit processes)
• Convenes internal and external stakeholders, development community, senior government, non-profit organizations and agencies and makes recommendations
• Prepares and manages work programs, including supervising other professional and technical staff and external consultants
• Leads the development of recommendations, reports and presentations to City Council, and Council Committees
• Oversees project staff including planners, analysts, and consultants
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications
Education and Experience:

• A University degree in Urban Planning, Social Sciences or related field (Masters level preferred) with considerable experience at a professional level, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience, preferably supplemented by supervisory experience or an equivalent combination of training and experience

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated commitment to working towards reconciliation, equity, and inclusion
• Knowledge and experience of City processes and tools to deliver new social infrastructure or cultural spaces, including thorough knowledge of the development planning processes (e.g., City By-laws and regulatory processes, community benefits from development, legal agreements, etc.)
• Knowledge of Provincial Legislation and Land use economics
• Knowledge of trends and challenges facing social non-profit and cultural sectors in Vancouver, including space needs, funding, operational and budgetary concerns, service gaps, etc.
• Knowledge of current planning policies of the City of Vancouver and other levels of government, as well as municipal development approval processes and regulations
• Working knowledge of development and rezoning processes and a working knowledge of zoning and land-use regulations, land development economics and urban design principles is strongly preferred
• Considerable knowledge of Vancouver's cultural and social non-profit organizations, agencies, business and community groups, particularly those serving equity-denied populations preferred
• Ability to create and maintain collaborative working relationships with partners to address complex capital and infrastructure issues, including partners in senior government, non-profit organizations, and staff and managers across other City departments
• Ability to manage complex projects and issues, exercising considerable independent judgment, strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; must demonstrate ability to prepare detailed and complex memos, reports and deliver presentations to Council, senior management, external agencies, and the public
• Ability to develop new procedures, and to evaluate needs and priorities to meet the objectives of the Department
• Ability to prepare complex reports and information to Council and present complex material to City staff, senior management, external agencies, the public
• Ability to prepare and manage work programs, including supervising professional and technical staff assigned to various projects and directing the work of consultants engaged on projects
• Ability to deal with sensitive issues with diplomacy and tact
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a dynamic work environment
• Ability to adjust to a complex organizational structure with shifting priorities on highly politicized issues
• Ability to receive and give constructive feedback on diverse, high-performance, equity-oriented teams

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work remotely 1 - 4 days a week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite. At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

Business Unit/Department: Arts, Culture and Community Services (1200)

Affiliation: CUPE 15 Non Pks

Employment Type: Temporary Full Time

Position Start Date: November, 2024

Position End Date: January, 2026

Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-031: $56.27 to $66.55 per hour

Application Close: October 18, 2024

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

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In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx. 5-10 minutes. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a summary of skills and experience related to the position.