Principal Planner

Job Posting

HRM is inviting applications for one full-time permanent position of Principal Planner within the Planned Growth, Strategic Projects division within Planning and Development. The Planned Growth Team leads transformative strategic projects including comprehensive neighborhood planning and city-led growth initiatives. The team collaborates across departments and with external partners to guide where and how communities grow, aligning with housing, infrastructure, transit, and environmental goals.

Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is committed to reflecting the community it serves and recognizing Diversity and Inclusion as one of the Municipality's core values. We have an Employment Equity Policy and we welcome applications from African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Women in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented in the workforce, Indigenous/Aboriginal People, Persons with Disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ Persons. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify on their electronic application.

Reporting to the Program Manager, the Principal Planner is a senior professional who supervises and directs a team of professional staff and assignments. The Principal Planner may lead or participate in highly complex planning assignments or departmental projects based on business unit or corporate strategic priorities.

The incumbent is responsible for supervising, directing and mentoring staff and assignments 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:

• Supervises, directs and oversees a team of professional staff and assignments, and provides technical assistance and information to staff and the public on complex and sensitive professional planning assignments.
• Acts as liaison between citizens, government agencies, developers and elected officials
• Evaluates and may process complex applications including subdivision applications, permits, site plans, development agreements, and land use by-law amendments, municipal planning strategy and other planning applications
• Prepares and presents detailed reports and recommendations on planning matters to staff, Boards, Committees and Council and serves as liaison to such committees
• Conducts field evaluations and assessments
• Acts as witness in legal proceedings as necessary and provides expert advice at the Utility and Review Board and in Court
• Acts as a subject matter expert in a broad range of planning matters
• Provides input into business unit positions and policies in response to strategic and sensitive issues relating to community and regional planning and development issues
• Represents the business unit or the municipality on various planning-related issues and advises senior management, Committees and Council of same
• Maintains regular contact and liaises with other HRM business units, community or intergovernmental groups, boards and committees; fosters cooperation and close working relationships between the business unit and other HRM business units and outside agencies and stakeholders
• Provides professional planning assistance to communities and community groups on various land use projects
• Facilitates public meetings representing the business unit on a variety of planning matters
• Designs and facilitates internal or customer-focused strategic planning, training, education and consultation processes as required.
• Directs and/or undertakes research and analysis, heads multidisciplinary project teams including consultants
• 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
• Directs and/or prepares and presents complex reports, contract documents, terms of reference, request for proposals, policies and procedures, correspondence and briefs for senior management, Committees and Council on various planning-related matters
• Directs and/or leads the development of, in partnership with stakeholders, policy options, analysis and reports on complex planning issues for the business unit and/or the municipality
• Manages priority planning and department projects, reviews consultant proposals and verifies contract expenditures and compliance
• Mentors Planner I, II and III
• Makes decisions, administers and enforces land use by-laws, development agreements and the subdivision by-law when appointed as a Development Officer by Council pursuant to the Halifax Charter.
• When appointed as a Development Officer, combines efforts with Development Engineers, and Buildings Supervisors to ensure overall efficiencies between development, buildings and engineering approvals, and inspection staff.
• When appointed by Council, administers heritage conservation plans and bylaws and makes decisions on the issuance of certificates of appropriateness
• Provides leadership in the development and maintenance of a positive working environment and promotes professional behavior of staff in relationships with clients.
• Develops staff through delegation, coaching, mentoring and training by arranging formal training, work assignments and other experiences.
• Supervises a team of professionals and assigns work and ensures appropriate training and support is provided
• Monitors and evaluates staff performance and makes effective recommendations with respect to training needs, corrective and disciplinary action; brings all related performance issues forward to the Program Manager
• Serves as witness and fully participates in grievance meetings, workplace rights investigations and other labour relations meetings, as required
• Participates in the hiring and recruitment process; designs selection processes and tools; and makes effective recommendations on hiring
• Advises on operations and activities, recommending improvements and modifications
• Resolves conflicts resulting from business unit activities (i.e., interpretive and procedural disputes with client, non-compliance, etc.)
• Establishes and monitors operational and business procedures to ensure efficiency, accuracy and consistency in processing of all subdivision, development planning, land use compliance and response to internal and public inquiries
• Monitors and reviews municipal policies and regulations and makes recommendations in their administration, development, and amendment.
• Assists and supports in the establishment and ongoing maintenance of budgets as requested by the Program Manager.

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 six (6) years of related and progressive experience in a professional planning environment in an urban or regional municipality.
• An undergraduate degree from a similarly accredited university planning program may also be considered, with a minimum of eight (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.
• Fully competent in all aspects of the Planner I, II and III positions
• Supervisory experience will be considered an asset.
• Valid Driver's License is required.
• Graduation from HRM's Aspiring Leaders Program is considered an asset, and completion of the program is equivalent to one year of leadership experience.

Technical/Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge of the philosophies, principals, practices & techniques of planning including cross-functional knowledge involving other discipline
• Well-developed knowledge of one or more planning disciplines, such as land use planning, community development, urban design, heritage conservation, housing, parks and recreation, transportation planning or environmental/natural resources planning
• Demonstrated skills in project management, facilitation, conflict resolution and negotiation, conducting presentations, communicating, influencing, and leading group discussions.
• Ability to manage projects effectively and meet firm deadlines
• Knowledge and experience in construction processes
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision, training and personnel management
• Superior written and verbal communications skills with the ability to clearly and persuasively, orally and in writing, present ideas and recommendations that involve complex and politically sensitive issues to management, decision-making bodies, committees, applicants and citizens while adhering to the intent of regulations and planning policy
• Knowledge of standard office software and technology including Microsoft Office Suite, Internet applications, GIS and other similar systems and technology related to the business unit
• 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 and municipal by-laws related to construction approvals, engineering specifications, and planning applications, including a clear understanding of their interrelationships.

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

Please Note: Testing may be conducted as a component of the selection process to assess technical and job specific knowledge. Candidates who are selected for testing may be tested in a group setting, scheduled at the employer's discretion.

COMPETENCIES: Analytical Thinking, Communication, Conflict Management, Customer Service, Valuing Diversity

WORK STATUS: Permanent Full-time

HOURS OF WORK: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (35 hours per week). Flex options to work outside of these hours & hybrid may be available.

SALARY: Non-Union Level 7 with an annual salary range of $82,900 - $107,280. Salary will be determined based on relevant experience and qualifications related to the specified pay band and job. Placement above the midpoint of the pay band is typically reserved for candidates who significantly exceed the minimum qualifications, such as those with exceptional experience, specialized skills, or demonstrated achievements relevant to the role. This ensures fair and consistent compensation practices across the organization.

WORK LOCATION: 5251 Duke Street, 3rd Floor, Halifax, NS

CLOSING DATE: Applications will be received up to 11:59 pm Thursday, December 4, 2025

Please note: We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for interview/testing will be contacted.

To ensure a fair and equitable hiring process, candidates are expected to complete all parts of the recruitment process, including assessments, assignments, and interviews independently and without the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools or other forms of external assistance. The use of AI to complete any component of the hiring process is not permitted and may result in disqualification from consideration.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to provide proof of their qualifications, including, but not limited to, educational credentials, professional licenses, and relevant certifications.

During the recruitment process, applicants have the right to request an accommodation. Applicants invited to participate in an assessment process (such as interview or testing) and who require an accommodation, should discuss their needs with the Talent Acquisition Advisor when invited to the assessment process. For more information on our accommodation process please click on the link; Accommodations | Hiring | Employment | Halifax

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