Principal Planner

**Job Posting**- Reporting to the Manager of Culture, Heritage, and Planning Information Services, the Principal Planner is a senior professional who supervises and directs a team of professional staff and assignments in the field of Heritage and Culture. The Principal Planner may lead or participate in highly complex planning assignments or departmental projects based on business unit or corporate strategic priorities.
- **DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- Supervises & directs a team of professional staff & assignments & provides technical assistance & information to staff and the public on complex & sensitive professional planning assignments
- Acts as liaison between citizens, government agencies, committees, developers & elected officials
- Prepares & presents detailed reports & recommendations on built-heritage & planning matters to staff, Boards, Committees & Council
- Conducts field evaluations & assessments
- Acts as a witness in legal proceedings & provides expert advice at the Utility & Review Board & in Court
- Maintains & fosters relationships with other HRM business units, external stakeholders & community groups & provides professional planning assistance to community groups on various projects
- Designs & facilitates internal or customer-focused strategic planning, training, education & consultation processes as required
- Directs and/or prepares & presents reports, contract documents, terms of reference, request for proposals, policies and procedures, correspondence & briefs for senior management, Committees and Council
- Directs and/or leads the development of policy options, analysis & reports on complex planning issues
- Makes decisions, administers and enforces heritage conservation district by-laws and design guidelines when appointed as a Heritage Officer by Council pursuant to the Heritage Property Act
- Provides leadership in the development and maintenance of a positive working environment & promotes professional behavior of staff
- Monitors and evaluates staff performance & makes effective recommendations with respect to training needs, corrective and disciplinary action; brings issues forward to the Manager
- Serves as witness & fully participates in labour relations issues

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

- A master’s degree in Community 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 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 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
- Membership or eligibility for membership in the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals is considered an asset
- Fully competent in all aspects of the Planner I, II and III positions
- Supervisory experience will be considered an asset
- Graduation from HRM’s Aspiring Leader’s Program is considered an asset & completion of the program is equivalent to one year of leadership experience
- Specific knowledge and experience with heritage planning matters in HRM will be considered an asset

**Job-Specific Knowledge and Abilities**:

- Advanced knowledge of built heritage conservation principles & standards, including the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada, especially in a municipal planning context
- Advanced knowledge of the philosophies, principals, practices & techniques of planning including cross-functional knowledge involving other disciplines, knowledge of the principles & practices of supervision, training & personnel management
- Demonstrated skills in project management, facilitation, conflict resolution & 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 & recommendations that involve complex and politically sensitive issues to management, decision-making bodies, committees, applicants & citizens
- Valid driver’s license
- **Security Clearance Requirements**: Applicants may be required to complete an employment security screening check- **COMPETENCIES**: Analytical Thinking, Communication, Conflict Management, Customer Service, Teamwork & Cooperation, Visioning & Strategic Thinking, Valuing Diversity
- **WORK STATUS**: Temporary, full-time
- **HOURS OF WORK**: Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, 35 hours/week
- **SALARY**: Non-Union, Level 7 ($76,490 - $105,170)
- **WORK LOCATION**: 3rd Floor of Duke Tower (5251 Duke St, Halifax, NS)
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