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TITLE: REGIONAL PLANNING MANAGER

CLASSIFICATION: BAND 3

MINISTRY: ISLANDS TRUST

WORK UNIT: PLANNING SERVICES

SUPERVISOR TITLE: DIRECTOR, PLANNING SERVICES

SUPERVISOR POSITION #:

JOB PROFILE

Located in Coast Salish territory, the Islands Trust is a special purpose government mandated to preserve and protect over 450 islands in the Salish Sea. Created by the Province via the Islands Trust Act in 1974, the Islands Trust plans and regulates local land use, advocates on key environmental issues, and protects land through the Islands Trust Conservancy. The Islands Trust works closely with First Nations and other agencies to accomplish its preserve and protect mandate.

Trust Council is the 26-member locally elected body that governs the Islands Trust, comprised of two local trustees from each of 12 local trust areas and two municipal trustees from Bowen Island. Along with a chairperson appointed by Trust Council, two elected trustees form a Local Trust Committee (LTC) to make land use decisions for each local trust area.

Trust Council meets quarterly to discuss and act on matters affecting the entire Islands Trust Area, including setting the annual budget, adopting the Policy Statement, and establishing policies that guide the delivery of planning services.

JOB OVERVIEW

The Regional Planning Manager (RPM) provides leadership and oversight for a team based in a regional office that delivers planning and regulatory services to assigned Local Trust Committees (LTCs) in accordance with Trust Council's best practices for planning service delivery. The RPM ensures that planning programs, advice, and processes are consistent, equitable, and aligned with the Islands Trust Act, the Islands Trust Policy Statement, Trust Council's approved policies, particularly Policy 5.9.1 Best Management Practices for Delivery of Planning Services, and with regulatory and administrative bylaws.

The RPM manages day-to-day regional office operations, including program planning, staff supervision, budget management, oversight of current planning, and coordination of community planning projects. The RPM provides senior professional planning advice to LTCs and acts as a key liaison between elected officials, staff, and community partners. The role requires a strong commitment to collaboration, continuous improvement, and reconciliation with First Nations through respectful engagement and culturally informed practices.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Oversees and manages a planning team based in a regional office, including financial, operational, and staff management.
• Manages a regional budget of approximately $200,000 and ensures that resource allocation aligns with Trust Council-approved priorities, policies, and best practices for service delivery.
• Supervises 6–8 staff members, including planners and administrative support staff; assigns work, evaluates performance, provides leadership and feedback, and fosters professional development and staff engagement.
• Ensures planning projects, applications, and policy work comply with the Islands Trust Act, Policy Statement, and Trust Council Policy amongst others).
• Provides senior planning advice and deliverables to LTCs, ensuring work programs are achievable, well-defined, and reflect community and First Nations expectations.
• Coordinates the preparation and upkeep of Official Community Plans (OCPs) and Land Use Bylaws (LUBs) in collaboration with LTCs and senior planners, in accordance with Trust Council's established review cycles and prioritization process.
• Supports LTCs and senior planners in initiating, scoping, and managing planning projects consistent with approved project charters, including establishing appropriate levels of community engagement under the IAP2 framework.
• Provides guidance and direction on the review and processing of development applications, ensuring fairness, timeliness, correctness, and consistency across regions.
• Liaises with Trust Area Services and other teams to integrate Trust-wide policy direction into local planning initiatives.
• Liaises with federal, provincial, municipal, and regional district staff on policy development and operations affecting the Trust area.
• Engages and builds relationships with First Nations with treaty and territorial interests, ensuring early and meaningful consultation in planning and policy development.
• Provides advice to LTCs regarding proposed bylaws or applications that may conflict with the Policy Statement or have enforcement implications.
• Ensures staff recommendations and LTC decisions remain within statutory authorities under the Islands Trust Act the Local Government Act, and Community Charter.
• Conducts periodic evaluations of planning operations and supports continuous improvement initiatives in coordination with the Director of Planning Services.
• Provides principal staff liaison with Islands Trust solicitors on preparation of opinions, and affidavits and other legal documentation required for litigation.
• Provides advice and recommendations to bylaw enforcement staff and acts a Screening Officer under the bylaw enforcement dispute adjudication system.
• Coordinates with other Regional Planning Managers to ensure consistent processes and best practices.
• Acts for the Director of Planning Services during short-term absences, as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

• A graduate degree in planning or another relevant field such as geography, environmental science, or public administration.
• Minimum seven (7) years' of progressively responsible experience in land use planning, including experience in a local government context.
• Demonstrated supervisory and or management experience.
• Possession and maintenance of a valid driver's license.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Preference may be given to candidates with

• BC local government experience.
• Management experience in a government unionized environment.
• Demonstrated experience engaging and collaborating with First Nations on planning initiatives.
• Membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners and eligibility for PIBC registration.
• Project management training and experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading Official Community Plan or Land Use Bylaw reviews.
• Demonstrated experience with a range of current planning applications, including processing complex rezoning applications.
• Demonstrated knowledge of applicable legislation and case law.

Provisos

• Some overnight travel is a requirement of this position and transportation arrangements must meet the operational requirements of the Islands Trust.
• Must be willing to work overtime, including some evenings and weekends.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong understanding of the Islands Trust Act, Policy Statement, and Trust Council policies.
• Knowledge of land use planning practices and principles, environmental planning, local government legislation, and relevant case law.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage professional planning teams.
• Excellent judgment, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
• Proven ability to work effectively in politically sensitive environments.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including report preparation and presentation to elected officials.
• Ability to manage multiple, concurrent priorities within tight deadlines.
• Ability to develop and maintain constructive working relationships with trustees, staff, community members, and partner agencies.
• Knowledge of IAP2 community engagement principles and ability to apply them to planning processes.
• Cultural agility and ability to work respectfully and effectively with Indigenous peoples.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

• Planning, Organizing and Coordinating: Proactively plans, establishes priorities, and allocates resources to achieve objectives and deliver services effectively.
• Information Seeking: Demonstrates curiosity and thoroughness in gathering and validating information relevant to decision-making.
• Concern for Order: Ensures accuracy, compliance, and clarity in documentation and procedures.
• Service Orientation: Focuses on meeting the needs of trustees, applicants, and communities with fairness, transparency, and professionalism.
• Teamwork and Co-operation: Works collaboratively within diverse teams and across the organization to achieve shared goals.
• Strategic Orientation: Connects daily work to Trust Council priorities and long-range strategic direction.
• Relationship Building: Builds and maintains positive working relationships with colleagues, trustees, First Nations, and partner agencies.
• Developing Others: Supports and mentors staff to achieve professional growth and service excellence.
• Leadership: Demonstrates integrity, initiative, and accountability in leading teams and projects.
• Change Leadership: Embraces innovation and continuous improvement in service delivery.

INDIGENOUS RELATIONS BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

• Self-discovery and awareness: Recognizes personal values and biases, and reflects on their influence on interactions and decision-making.
• Sustained learning and development: Continuously develops cultural competence and seeks to understand Indigenous perspectives and governance systems.
• Cultural agility: Works respectfully, knowledgeably, and effectively with Indigenous peoples, adapting to cultural contexts and building trust.
• Change leadership: Champions actions that advance reconciliation and uphold the Islands Trust Declaration on Reconciliation.
• Strategic Orientation: Integrates Indigenous self-determination and reconciliation goals into planning services and daily work.

Education : Master's degree

Experience : 5 years or more