Principal Planner

**Job Posting**- Reporting to the Manager, Regional Planning, the Principal Planner is a senior professional who supervises and directs a team of professional staff and assignments. The Principal Planner leads and participates in highly complex planning and departmental projects.
- **DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**
- Directs and/or leads the development of, in partnership with stakeholders, policy options, analysis and reports on complex planning issues for the business unit and/or the Municipality
- Supervises and directs a team of professional staff and assignments and provides technical assistance and information to staff and the public on complex and sensitive professional planning assignments
- Acts as liaison between residents, government agencies, developers and elected officials
- Prepares and presents detailed reports and recommendations on planning matters to staff, Boards, Committees and Council and serves as liaison to such committees
- Directs and/or prepares and presents reports, contract documents, terms of reference, request for proposals, policies and procedures, correspondence and briefs for senior management, Committees and Council on various planning-related matters
- Conducts field evaluations and assessments
- Provides input into business unit positions and policies in response to strategic and sensitive issues relating to regional and community planning and development issues
- Represents the business unit or the municipality on various planning-related issues and advises senior management, Committees and Council of same
- Maintains and fosters relationships with other HRM business units, external stakeholders, and community groups, and provides professional planning assistance to communities and community groups on various land use projects
- Designs and facilitates internal or customer-focused strategic planning, training, education and consultation processes as required
- Makes decisions, administers and enforces land use by-laws, development agreements and the subdivision by-law when appointed as a Development Officer by Council pursuant to the Halifax Charter
- Acts as witness in legal proceedings as necessary and provides expert advice at the Utility and Review Board and in Court
- Provides leadership in the development and maintenance of a positive working environment and promotes professional behavior of staff in relationships with clients
- Develops staff through delegation, coaching, mentoring and training by arranging formal training, work assignments and other experiences
- Monitors and evaluates staff performance and makes effective recommendations with respect to training needs, corrective and disciplinary action; brings all related performance issues forward to the Manager
- Serves as witness and fully participates in grievance meetings, workplace rights investigations and other labour relations meetings, as required

**QUALIFICATIONS**
**Education and Experience**:

- A master’s degree in Planning or equivalent, from a university planning program recognized or accredited by the Professional Standards Board for Planning in Canada is preferred, with a minimum of six (6) years of related and progressive experience in a professional planning environment in an urban or regional municipality; OR
- An undergraduate degree from a similarly accredited university planning program may also be considered, with a minimum of eight (8) years of related and progressive experience in a professional planning environment in an urban or regional municipality.
- A Licensed Professional Planner as per the NS Professional Planners Act is required.
- Fully competent in all aspects of the Planner I, II and III positions
- Supervisory experience will be considered an asset.
- Specific knowledge and experience with regional planning matters, including long-range planning and infrastructure planning, will be considered an asset.

**Job-Specific Knowledge and Abilities**:

- Advanced knowledge of the philosophies, principals, practices & techniques of planning including cross-functional knowledge involving other disciplines, knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision, training and personnel management.
- Demonstrated skills in project management, facilitation, conflict resolution and negotiation, conducting presentations, communicating, influencing, and leading group discussions. Ability to manage projects effectively and meet firm deadlines.
- Superior written and verbal communications skills with the ability to effectively present ideas and recommendations that involve complex and politically sensitive issues to management, decision-making bodies, committees, applicants and citizens while adhering to the intent of regulations and planning policy.
- Advanced knowledge of the the HRM Charter, the Municipal Government Act, the HRM Regional Plan and various HRM Municipal Planning Strategies and Land Use By-laws, HRM Regional Subdivision By-law, the Heritage Property Act, the Heritage B