Planning Information Specialist

**Our Story**:
Committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations, the Region of Waterloo is an inclusive, thriving, and sustainable region of connected rural and urban communities with global reach. Our mission is to serve, engage and inspire, by delivering quality services to a diverse population of 630,000+, while creating a healthy, collaborative environment of learning, respect, and innovation.

This is a place where employees are valued and recognized for their talents and contributions to our success. Our employees take pride in making a difference in people's lives through the work that we do. We are looking for people like you to help make it happen.

**The Role**:
Performs quantitative and qualitative research and analysis on environmental, land use, economic, population, and housing matters to support the development, monitoring, and implementation of planning processes and policies. Prepares estimates and forecasts of population and employment.

**Duties/Responsibilities**:
Performs quantitative and qualitative research and analysis on environmental, land use, economic, population and housing matters to support the development, monitoring, and implementation of planning processes and policies. Analyses information and produces calculations to develop and monitor land budgets, planning background studies, and regional growth targets through interpretation of provincial legislation and Regional Official Plan policies.

Prepares annual estimates and forecasts of Waterloo Region related to population, households, and employment used by other Regional areas to support master and business plans, market analysis, financial analysis and planning, and development decisions. Develops methods of forecasting; compares long-term forecasts with those from external agencies; and makes recommendations to management.

Responds to information requests for planning data from the other regional areas, the public, area municipalities, and consultants. Advises other program staff as necessary, regarding responses (e.g., clarifying details of request, determining/analysing data).

Prepares statistical reports and profiles to summarize and publicize regional planning data.

Reviews and revises workplan (based on annual workplan) documenting the status and requirements of key departmental data sets and data models. Assesses quality, timeliness, and relevance of available data sources to update work plans.

Coordinates selected information management projects. Develops work plan, assigns/performs tasks, reviews results, and ensures project completion.

Maintains information planning databases containing spatial and tabular data (e.g., land use, environmental, natural resource, economic, population, employment, housing). Verifies data integrity developed/input by others and integrates into appropriate data sets.

Participates on technical committees related to planning information.

Performs related duties as assigned.

**Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities**:
Knowledge of planning process and geographic concepts; detailed knowledge of RDBMS design principles, statistical models, relational queries, project management, and business procedures in order to design and work with large spatial and tabular databases; plus, training in empirical research, acquired through a university degree in Planning or a related field, plus 3 years of related experience.

Eligibility for membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners/Ontario Provincial Planners Institute on entry.

Project management and organizational skills to detail project tasks, assign timeframes, monitor results, work independently, and balance competing requests/priorities.

Knowledge of and ability to follow corporate policies and procedures, planning and environmental legislation (e.g., Planning Act), and privacy legislation.

Communication skills to provide guidance and support to program staff creating and inputting data, respond to internal and external planning inquiries and data requests, make presentations to internal/external committees, interpret, and explain complex planning policies and data, and participate as an effective team member.

Ability to write correspondence, memos, and reports. Ability to read technical reports, statistical information, memos, policies and procedures, professional journals, planning reports and studies, official plans, meeting agendas and minutes. Ability to keep knowledge current.

Computer skills using software such as Microsoft Office, geographic information systems (GIS), and relational database management systems.

Ability to travel within Waterloo Region.

Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.

In addition to offering a competitive compensation package, we have a strong focus on health and wellness, including fitness facilities and family-focused benefits.

We thank all applicants in advance; however, we will be corresponding only with those selected for an interview.

The Region of