Planning Assistant Iii

**Requisition ID**:38392

**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 cities and is working towards being the greenest city in the world. 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, decolonization, 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 City of Vancouver has adopted the Rain City Strategy, an ambitious and multiple award-winning long-term plan to capture and treat 90% of Vancouver’s average annual rainfall through the implementation of green rainwater infrastructure on public and private property throughout the City. The City is seeking to fill a Planning Assistant III position to work as part of an interdisciplinary team aiming to support implementation of the Rain City Strategy on private and city-owned property. Working as part of the Sustainability group in the Planning, Urban Design and Sustainability department, the Planning Assistant III supports policy, research, analysis, communications materials development, pilot projects, program development, education and capacity building, community partnerships and engagement related to green rainwater infrastructure and other climate change adaptation projects.

The position works with various departments within the City as well as external groups such as non-profit organizations, private sector stakeholders and other levels of government to advance policies, regulations, programs, and practices related to green rainwater infrastructure such as blue/green roofs, rainwater harvesting, and infiltration systems such as rain gardens.

The position will support the City’s efforts to be a leader in climate mitigation and adaptation, and in developing holistic, integrated approaches to water management and green rainwater infrastructure. The work will help shape a more livable, equitable, and resilient city that will protect water quality, revive urban watersheds and ecosystems, and support green jobs and urban development. We are looking for highly motivated, creative and innovative team players to join us in our effort to manage rainwater as a valuable resource for our community and local ecosystems.

**Specific Duties and Responsibilities**
- Research, data and project/program implementation support:

- Conduct best practice research, case studies, barriers identification, co-benefits, and contextual analysis on multi-scale green rainwater infrastructure programs;
- Assist supervisors in the design, planning, and execution of projects and initiatives, including development of tender documents and coordination with consultants;
- Prepare and conduct technical research, surveys, analysis on topics of moderate complexity, including undertaking relevant field observations and notes and verifying accuracy of the content and field investigations; and
- Manage data for various initiatives, including collection, tracking, and reporting.
- Communication graphics:

- Develop materials for meetings and events, including agendas, presentations, posters and graphics, and be proficient in Powerpoint and Adobe Suite [Photoshop | InDesign | Illustrator];
- Support the development and implementation of communications materials to support education, training and capacity-building initiatives; and
- Maintain initiative web pages and contact lists.
- Engagement:

- Organize meetings and events, support public engagement and stakeholder processes, participate in, and minute, public events and staff meetings;
- Engage with stakeholders at public events and during consultation processes;
- Support post-event input processing and analysis to inform decision-making and initiative development;
- Liaise with external partners and/or stakeholders to gather input on projects and/or build collaboration; and
- Respond to public enquiries.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills:

- Assist in the preparation of technical reports and council reports;
- Prepare content (text and graphics) for presentations, websites and other communications materials;
- Perform other duties and responsibilities, as assigned; and
- Carry out other project-specific tasks on an as-needed basis.

**Minimum Qualificaitons**:
Education and Experience:

- Completion of Grade 12 or equivalent supplemented in courses in planning, urban studies, landscape architecture, sustainability, engineering, environmental sciences or related field and experience, preferably in a municipal setting, or an equivalent combination of e