Planner I

**Requisition ID**:37979

**Company**

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**

Reporting to the Section Head for Streets Capital Planning, the Planner I works within the Streets Design Branch to advance climate action through streets projects, develops policies to improve the stewardship of the street network and urban tree canopy, and supports capital planning and project coordination. In addition, the position supports other Streets planning work within the branch, such as asset management, review of community/public realm plans, and other duties as directed.

This position works closely with Engineers, Planners, and other technical staff in the Streets Asset Management, Sustainability, and Urban Forestry teams, and also supports other teams within the Streets Design Branch and Streets Division on an as-needed basis.

**Specific Duties and Responsibilities**

Advancement of climate action and resilience through streets projects:

- Leads coordination between the Streets, Sustainability, and Urban Forestry teams to identify locations for new street trees within existing street right-of-way, particularly in neighbourhoods with greater areas of impervious surface and a less dense urban tree canopy.
- Analyzes various street condition/network metrics and equity indicators, to prioritize street rehabilitation and climate investments that will mitigate the harmful impacts of the climate crisis, urban heat island effect, and existing tree canopy inequities within the built environment.
- Takes a lead role in internal discussions regarding street and sidewalk rehabilitation, support of the urban forest, and expansion of street trees and other green infrastructure assets in the street right-of-way.
- Researches and proposes strategies to reduce the carbon emissions created when repaving streets and sidewalks, focusing on innovative renewal methods and ways to lengthen existing assets’ life cycle.
- Explores external funding opportunities to support climate adaptation, street tree planting, and other emerging priorities.

Emerging policies and practice:

- Supports the development and implementation of policy, bylaw, and program improvements, including:

- Researches, analyzes, and recommends policy and business practice changes for street utility cuts, paving and transportation improvements through the Local Improvement Program, and other aspects of streets and sidewalk stewardship.
- Pursues improvements in street and sidewalk asset management, ensuring alignment between pavement renewal and other City priorities, such as street tree protection, reduction of impervious surfaces, and coordination with internal and external partners.
- Supports implementation of Vancouver’s Accessibility Strategy; researches best practices for improving the accessibility of existing sidewalks and streets.
- Identifies on-the-ground infrastructure stewardship challenges and develop solutions.
- Stays up to date on best practices in transportation planning, climate mitigation/adaptation, urban forestry, and asset management.
- Provides conceptual illustrations, maps, charts or other visualizations for emerging projects and policies on an ongoing basis.
- Provides guidance to junior and technical staff on research, mapping and visualization.

Capital planning:

- Supports annual, 4-yr, and 10-yr planning for street and sidewalk rehabilitation, particularly the equitable delivery of asset renewal and identifying improved stewardship strategies to maximize limited funding.
- Supports development of a citywide sidewalk rehabilitation strategy, including interim repairs (such as asphalt patches and beveling) and full concrete rehabilitation.
- Analyzes trends in street and sidewalk conditions to inform future capital investments.

Supporting other Branch and Divisional priorities:

- Develops compelling written and visual communication materials to communicate concepts to other departments, stakeholders, and the broader public.
- Applies equity and decolonizing principles when analyzing and assessing data, projects and policies.
- Coordinates and collaborates with staff in other branches and departments as necessary to advance key concepts and ideas.
- Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

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