Regional Planner

Are you looking for an opportunity to showcase your initiative and demonstrate your leadership, policy interpretation, problem solving and relationship building skills to resolve land use and resource management challenges? If so, consider this opportunity to further enhance your career within the planning discipline. This challenging and rewarding position requires knowledge of land use and resource management planning processes, and landscape level project management.

About Us

The Land Use Planning and Strategic Issues Section is the lead for land use planning, issues management and communication functions within the Regional Operations Division, Southern Region. The section is responsible for the implementation and delivery of provincial land use and resource management policy and programs on local and regional levels. Southern Region has a complex planning environment, with the majority of Ontario's population in a predominantly privately-owned landscape, diverse natural resources and significant development pressures.

We are looking for new team members who are keen to put their skills to work across a challenging portfolio of land use, resource management and project planning initiatives. Our team helps to deliver the ministry's business by providing planning expertise to a wide range of ministry and external parties and initiatives. We work closely together to support one another and bring diverse perspectives to the work we do.

The Ontario Public Service (OPS) is committed to being an employer of first choice, creating a positive and inclusive work environment.

We offer:

- a defined benefit pension plan
- maternity and parental leave top-up benefits which includes adoptive parents
- comprehensive health plan
- life and disability insurance
- flexible work arrangements
- collegial and professional work culture
- career growth and development opportunities across multiple business areas
- on-the-job training to support your success in the role

**OPS Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism**: We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

Visit the
**OPS Anti-Racism Policy** and the
**OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint** pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.

We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's
**Human Rights Code**. Refer to the "How to apply" section if you require a disability-related accommodation.

**What can I expect to do in this role?**: In this role, you will:

- lead and coordinate multi-disciplinary planning teams input and review of complex land use and resource management policy documents, regional or landscape level projects, to identify potential conflicts with ministry resource objectives
- obtain input from ministry program specialists, synthesize, analyze and consolidate input received and make recommendations and present options for decision making
- deliver land use planning, resource management planning and environmental assessment advice and training to integrated project teams, and staff across the region
- provide interpretation, explanation and advice to managers, staff, clients and stakeholders regarding Crown, municipal and resource management planning legislation, policy and procedures
- consult with colleagues across the Ministry, external agencies, groups and individuals on regional or landscape level land use and resource management plans, projects, issues to develop strategies, achieve program results and provide customer service for internal and external clients
- prepare analysis, briefing notes, Minister's letters for senior management and support issues management

**How do I qualify?**:
**Mandatory**:
**Analytical, Reasoning and Problem-Solving Skills**: You have:

- analytical skills to interpret, review and assess land use and resource management plans, broad scale projects/proposals, legislation and policies
- political and organizational awareness, including an understanding of ministry interests and government priorities to inform land and resource management decisions
- reasoning and problem-solving skills to identify implications, evaluate options and provide recommendations to facilitate resolution of land use and resource management challenges and impacts on Ministry interests

**Interpersonal and Collaboration Skills**: You have:

- skills to work collaboratively to form effective working relationships and possess leadership skills to support and provide guidance to integrated and diverse planning teams
- ability to negotiate, influence and reconcile diverse interests and perspectives of agencies, non-government organizations, proponents and the public to gain support for ministry