Supervisor, Development Planning

The City of New Westminster has earned a proud reputation for civic leadership, service delivery and outstanding employee relations. We offer our employees great work-life balance; competitive salaries and benefit plans (including pension); education and training opportunities; and challenging and rewarding work. As a central hub in the Metro Vancouver area, the City of New Westminster delivers a broad spectrum of urban services to over 80,000 residents. It is a city rich in history with a viable and thriving economy, a population representative of the diversity of the region, and is staffed by talented and dedicated employees who work together to achieve its strategic vision.

We are looking for a Supervisor, Development Planning, (Planner 3) to help lead the fast-paced, innovative, and evolving work of the development planning group in the Planning Division. Reporting to the Manager, Development Planning, you will manage some of the City's most complex development projects and facilitate the multi-disciplinary review of projects through the approvals process. The successful candidate will assist the Manager in ensuring that all development projects and review processes are consistent with Council's strategic priorities and the City's overall city-building objectives, including those related to community amenities, housing and social strategies, environmental protection, economic development, reconciliation, and urban design; and advancing development related practices, policies and regulations within a team environment. Specific duties will include: mentorship and supervision of more junior planners; processing the most complex development projects; liaising and coordinating with internal and external contacts on matters related to the work; participating with other senior staff in formulating, implementing and modifying land use plans and development application processes; managing the review of rezoning and development applications in a timely manner; participating in the negotiation of community amenities with the development community; liaising with applicants, other City staff, professionals and the public; preparing reports and bylaw amendments; making presentations to community groups, City advisory committees and Council; and other related duties.

If you have the following characteristics and qualifications, we want to hear from you

• A Master's Degree in urban planning or a related discipline, with considerable work experience in development planning or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Full membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners.
• Advanced knowledge of the principles, practices, techniques, methods and procedures applicable to municipal planning.
• Considerable knowledge of the policies, rules, regulations, bylaws and legislation governing the work.
• Significant knowledge of several fields related to planning, such as urban design, social science, law, economics, development practices, and municipal finance, and of current trends and developments in these areas.
• Experience in the timely processing and oversight of complex development projects, at all stages, and preparing related reports.
• Experience participating in community planning processes and in representing the municipality and department on planning matters.
• Experience participating in various meetings related to the work such as Council meetings and making presentations.
• Experience working with senior staff in creating, implementing, and improving land use plans and application processes and procedures.
• Experience in implementing contemporary customer service excellence in conflict situations and providing service to applicants with reliance on a range of knowledge and experience.
• Ability to plan, assign and supervise the work of staff, and to apply excellent people management and leadership skills.
• Ability to consult, liaise and coordinate with other staff, external public and private agencies, consultants and citizen groups.
• Demonstrated ability and experience in facilitation, negotiation and conflict resolution.
• Ability to be creative and exercise sound judgment in a fast paced environment while managing multiple tasks and resolving conflicts.
• Ability to express ideas effectively both orally and in a written manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, professionals and the public, and to clearly convey the principles and requirements of sound planning and development.

What We Offer

• Work-life balance – 35 hour work week, vacation, an optional compressed day off program, and optional hybrid work schedule
• Health and wellness – extended health, dental, life insurance benefits, paid sick leave plan, plus other wellness-focused programs and benefits
• Retirement benefits – including municipal pension plan
• Career development – ongoing learning and personal development program