Parks Planning

**Parks Planning & Development Project Manager** **Competition Number** 2024-334 **Job Code** 1379 **Posting Date** October 17, 2024 **Closing Date** November 4, 2024 (at 6:00pm) **Job Status** Permanent Full-Time The **City of Kitchener** is a vibrant and dynamic city of approximately 292,000, in the heart of southwestern Ontario. As the largest municipality in Waterloo Region, Kitchener continues to be poised for development and growth, enhancing its reputation as a leader in city-building and innovation, with nationally recognized strategies to build its neighbourhoods, its digital infrastructure and its diverse economy.The **City of Kitchener** is WHERE you want to work Learn more about the top reasons to join us: **Why work at the City of Kitchener** Position Overview: - It is an exciting time to be part of the Development and Housing Approvals team at the City of Kitchener As the fastest growing community in Canada last year, we work with the development industry to deliver new great places where our community members live, work, and play. We are seeking a dynamic and innovative team player to join our team to negotiate new parks, urban greens, open spaces, public spaces and trails through the development review process. The City of Kitchener believes that a variety of dynamic spaces are the fabric on which community is built.- **Responsibilities**: - You Are: - Able to develop and implement policy and process. - Can think innovatively about new parks, urban amenity areas, open spaces privately owned public spaces (POPS) and trails and see opportunity for connection between various interests. - A project manager who can lead multiple projects with a range of scope and scale. - A collaborative team player able to work across divisions and departments. You will: - Coordinate with various departments and groups to represent the City’s interests on various development projects. - Work closely with the City’s urban design team in providing design advice and review of POPS through the site plan process. - Develop Kitchener’s first ever POPS standard and guidelines in consultation with the community and development industry. - Be the Project Manager to oversee the development of the City’s first ever Parkland Acquisition Strategy. - Contribute to exciting projects and initiatives on behalf of the Development and Housing Approvals team. - You might be interested in this role if: - You have a passion for connecting people with their outdoor environment. - You are experienced in parks and open space projects in an urban context. - You thrive in a fast paced environment. - Performs other related duties as assigned. **Requirements**: - Must have the ability to support and project values compatible with the organization. - 4-year Honors degree in Landscape Architecture or an associated field. - Full professional membership of OALA OR Registered Professional Planner Designation with full membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners. - A minimum of 4-7 years' relevant experience in planning or a related field. - Demonstrated experience successfully managing a broad range of complex and high-profile projects with multidisciplinary issues and extensive community engagement. - Experience providing expert testimony before the Ontario Land Tribunal. - Experience interacting with media including interviews relative to complex and controversial matters. - Strong analytical, facilitation and negotiation skills to formulate a compelling planning opinion based on a thorough and critical analysis of issues, supporting policy framework, consideration for community feedback and negotiation with the proponent as necessary to make a recommendation in the public interest. - Advanced knowledge of and the ability to interpret Planning law (Provincial Planning Act, Policy Statement and Places to Grow), Regional Policy, City Policy and By-laws, and Planning principles and practices. - Demonstrated innovation and creativity in planning methodologies, engagement and facilitating successful planning outcomes. - Demonstrated strong oral and written communication skills with a strong focus on customer service and messaging complex planning matters in plain language. - Must be comfortable in high pressure situations and demonstrate agility in adapting to an evolving planning framework and community expectations. - Demonstrated strong applied computer skills with emphasis in Microsoft Office programs as well as adaptability skills for use of Bluebeam, AMANDA, Adobe Photoshop and other similar programs. - Reliable with a good attitude and employment record. - Valid MTO G class driver's license in good standing. *** - Please note that as per Human Resources Policy _HUM-HIR-_110, "Employment of Relatives of Staff Members and Elected Officials":_ - "The immediate relatives of staff of the Human Resources Division, all _Directors,_ General Managers_, or the Chief Administrative Officer and Elected Officials shall not b