Planner Iii

**Job Posting**

The Planner III is responsible for leading assignments and mentoring junior staff in one or more areas of expertise such as Development Review, Community Planning, Regional Planning, Urban Design, Heritage & Cultural Planning, Infrastructure Planning, Transportation Planning, Environmental Planning and Socio-Economic Research.

**DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- Leads and performs professional work and provides technical assistance and information to staff and the public related to a broad range of planning matters
- Acts as liaison between citizens, government agencies, developers and elected officials on planning matters as may be assigned
- Prepares and presents reports and recommendations on planning matters to staff, Boards, Committees and Council and serves as liaison to such committees
- Conducts field evaluations and assessments
- Investigates violations of planning regulations
- Acts as witness in legal proceedings as necessary and provides expert advice at the Utility and Review Board and Court
- Represents the business unit or the municipality as a team member, or independently, on assigned planning matters and public meetings
- Leads special projects designed to improve the performance, efficiency and effectiveness of services and/or programs, as directed
- Provides professional planning assistance to communities and community groups on various land use projects
- Researches, analyzes and compiles information and data on a variety of planning matters
- Identifies emerging planning trends, policies and best practices from other jurisdictions and makes recommendations on business unit policies and planning initiatives to address community problems
- Monitors effectiveness of existing planning policies, business processes and regulations and makes recommendations for improvements as necessary
- Researches, analyzes, prepares and presents reports, contract documents, terms of reference, request for proposals, policies and procedures, correspondence and briefs for Principal Planners, senior management, Committees and Council
- Leads the development of, in partnership with stakeholders, policy options, analysis and reports on planning issues for the business unit and/or the municipality
- Prepares, presents and maintains comprehensive regional and community plans, land use by-laws, the Subdivision By-law and other regulations regarding development control
- Manages priority planning studies and department projects, reviews consultant proposals and verifies contract expenditures and compliance
- Leads planning or department projects with uncertainty of outcome or process requiring significant expertise and cross-functional knowledge

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

- University degree from an accredited planning program and five (5) years of professional planning experience; **OR**:

- University degree from a non-accredited but related program (such as Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban, Human or Economic Geography, and Geographic/Spatial Information Systems) and seven (7) years of professional planning experience.
- Master’s Degree from an accredited planning program and four (4) years of professional planning experience would be considered an asset.
- A Licensed Professional Planner (LPP) or equivalent Provincial or International designation is a requirement.
- Progressive experience working in a municipal government environment is considered an asset

**Technical/Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities**:

- Ability to work on several projects or issues simultaneously
- Ability to mentor junior staff and teams to results and to manage projects effectively and meet firm deadlines
- Advanced skills in the techniques of facilitation, mediation, negotiation and public participation
- Superior written and verbal communications skills
- Superior skills in the areas of research, analysis, writing, evaluation and presentation
- Ability to anticipate the issues of community groups, Council, other business units, senior management
- Excellent interpersonal skills which enable credible and effective relationships with people at all levels
- Advanced knowledge of the Municipal Government Act, the HRM Charter, the Heritage Property Act, the Heritage By-law, the Subdivision By-law, various HRM Municipal Planning Strategies and Land Use By-laws, and other relevant legislation.

**Security Clearance Requirements**:Applicants may be required to complete an employment security screening check.

**COMPETENCIES**: Analytical Thinking, Communications, Conflict Management, Customer Service, Organizational Awareness, Organization and Planning, Teamwork and Cooperation, Valuing Diversity

**WORK STATUS**: Full-time temporary (up to 12 months)

**HOURS OF WORK**: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, 35 hours per week.

**SALARY**: Level 11, $44.14, NSGEU 222

**WORK LOCATION**:3rd floor of Duke Tower (5251 Duke Street, Halifax)

**CLOSING DATE**: Applications will be received up