Planner, Policy

**Position Details**:
**Current Rate of Pay**: Min = $83,582, Max = $90,617

**Employment type**: Permanent, Full-Time

**Hours of work**: 35 hrs/week

**Work location**: Head Office

**Division**: Policy Planning

**Business unit**: Planning Policy and Regulation

**Remote Work**: Hybrid

**About TRCA**:
With more than 60 years of experience, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is one of 36 Conservation Authorities in Ontario, created to safeguard and enhance the health and well-being of watershed communities through the protection and restoration of the natural environment and the ecological services the environment provides.

TRCA works to protect the integrity and health of the rivers and creeks in the jurisdiction, develop a system of green and natural spaces that sustains local ecosystems, and advance sustainable practices that improve people’s lives within our growing region.

**How you will contribute as part of the TRCA team**:
Under the direction of Director/Senior Manager and reporting directly to the Senior Planner, the Planner, Policy is responsible for supporting senior staff with research, coordination and analysis of policy planning initiatives and advancing TRCA interests through the review of relevant federal, provincial and municipal and TRCA policy and regulation. This includes upholding corporate service delivery related to land use planning and regulatory functions and helping to ensure the objectives of the Conservation Authorities Act and TRCA Living City Policies are met with regard to natural hazard and water management, natural heritage protection and enhancement, and municipal growth management and planning for sustainable communities.

This position involves guidance of junior staff, including overseeing responses to property inquiries from law firms, real estate agents and the general public with respect to TRCA’s programs, policies, and Regulation, while maintaining quality control and timely service delivery. It also requires the provision of technical, communications and administrative support to senior staff for divisional programs related to planning policy and regulations and regulation mapping.

**Major Responsibilities**:

- Participate in research and analysis in responding to municipal requests for input on municipal planning updates (e.g., Official Plan reviews, Comprehensive Zoning By-law reviews) and on notices posted to the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) relevant to TRCA interests; Coordinate and consolidate comments and prepare draft responses for senior staff review;
- Conduct research relating to the delivery of policy, planning and regulation services, policy development and strategy formulation within a team planning setting for watershed plans, development and resource management-related policy and technical guideline initiatives; coordinate and consolidate internal comments and prepare preliminary comments on behalf of TRCA;
- Prepare briefing memos, draft reports and recommendations related to research and review of internal and external policy and planning consultation initiatives; mentor Planner I in their participation and support of senior staff on these initiatives.
- Assist senior staff with projects related to planning and regulation programs, including management of annual updates to Regulation mapping and coordination with technical staff (engineering, ecology, GIS) and municipal and other external partners. This may include developing work plans, preparing presentations and providing input to project management;
- Assist senior staff in facilitating meetings and training sessions related to TRCA policies and policies and regulations.
- Ensure accurate file and corporate records management;
- Participate on internal committees for corporate or departmental initiatives;
- Attend training workshops on government policy changes, TRCA projects, etc. to maintain up to date knowledge.
- Guide and oversee the Planner I in their responses to Solicitor Realtor property inquiries and maintenance of records and reporting of statistics, serving as back-up when necessary;
- Train new junior staff or interns/volunteers, as necessary.
- Provide effective, timely and professional client service delivery in the undertaking and completion of all project tasks assigned and resolve issues where possible;
- Maintain professional relationships with municipal partners, staff at provincial ministries and other stakeholders.
- Coordinate stakeholder consultation processes for policy projects, including preparing meeting agendas and invitations, arranging venues, advertising, etc., as needed;

**What will you need to succeed**:

- Completion of a post-secondary degree in planning or a related discipline (e.g., environmental studies/science/policy).
- Eligibility for membership in Ontario Professional Planners Institute
- Valid Ontario “G” Driver’s License in good standing
- Minimum five (5) years of relevant municipal, provincial and/or envi