Planner III

Requisition ID: 42195 

Organization

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

Main Purpose and Function

The position of Senior Housing Planner in Housing Policy and Regulation provides strong leadership, project management and team-building skills and is a key part of the professional team that will implement parts of the City of Vancouver’s new Housing Vancouver strategy over the next 10 years.

This is a senior professional position that involves leading a staff team working on a variety of projects and program work related to securing affordable housing through the City’s planning and development processes citywide, legal agreements, and protection of existing low-income affordable housing.  This position will bring substantive expertise and creativity to a range of complex issues, with strong project management skills to support critical decisions, projects and strategies.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, coordination, planning, research and analysis related to securing affordable housing through planning and development processes
• Play a key role in implementing City-wide inclusionary housing policies, such as the Sustainable Large Development Rezoning Policy and in recently adopted community plan areas (e.g. the West End, Marpole, & Downtown Eastside)
• Implement policy and apply guidelines through the development process to enable moderate income rental housing projects throughout the city
• Contribute to the development of rezoning policies and district schedules as required to advance the City’s affordable housing goals and targets
• Lead complex negotiations with private sector applicants as part of the community amenity contribution and public benefits process to secure on-site affordable housing
• Employ a diverse range of quantitative and qualitative analytical techniques, including scenario building and option appraisals, to develop effective housing projects
• Build strong relationships with non-profit/co-op partners to renew and redevelop their land and buildings, where appropriate in order to maintain and improve affordable housing supply
• Collaborate with a wide range of internal departments (VAHA, Planning & Development Services, Development Building & Licensing, Real Estate & Facilities Management, Law, Finance, Parks, and Engineering) and external stakeholders to develop partnerships that will effectively implement housing projects and assist in meeting the new Housing Vancouver targets
• Provide liaison with the public, community groups, representatives of the development industry, non-profit/co-op housing providers, and senior government representatives and agencies
• Prepare and present Affordable Housing Project reports and recommendations to senior staff and City Council and attend at Council meetings to represent the Team and respond to questions as required
• Supervise a staff team by developing individual work plans, performance objectives, training and development opportunities, coach, mentor and motivate staff to achieve high levels of performance, and encourage a team approach to achieving housing and corporate objectives
• Support the Director in recruitment and managing shifting work demands, providing project management support and ensuring the team is responsive to changing priorities

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• University graduation at the Masters level in planning or a related discipline
• Thorough professional related experience at a responsible level, or an equivalent combination of training and experience
• Knowledge of current housing and land use policies of the City of Vancouver and other levels of government, as well as municipal development approval processes and regulations

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to lead a team of professional planners implementing projects using strong coaching and mentoring skills
• Up to date knowledge and understanding of social, economic, political, technological, demographic and environmental trends, factors and issues related to housing context in Vancouver and Metro area
• An in-depth knowledge of the factors affecting housing supply and demand, including land use planning, land and development economics, social safety net policies, income distribution, and the influence of individual characteristics e.g. physical disabilities, mental illness, alcohol/drug dependencies, gender, family status, ethnicity
• Considerable knowledge of project management philosophies and practices, including project scope, budgeting, scheduling, and coordination of team activities
• Up to date knowledge of municipal planning, land development, community development, housing planning and policy development
• Highly developed methodological, analytical, creative and conceptual skills
• Ability to develop, review and monitor financial and project analysis instruments
• Ability and demonstrated experience in developing and implementing policy in a multi-stakeholder environment
• Proven ability to develop and present evidence-based recommendations to senior staff, governing bodies and stakeholders
• Ability to build consensus on housing projects both with internal departments and with external parties including community stakeholders in potentially contentious environments
• Ability to lead and participate on teams involving diverse interest groups using facilitation, conflict resolution and interest based mediation skills to achieve mutually agreeable solutions
• Ability to speak effectively to a variety of audiences, including the general public, community and business groups and to city council
• Ability to communicate complex ideas and provide clear and concise reports both verbally and in writing
• Ability to work in a changing environment, while delivering complex projects on time and on budget
• Familiarity with rezoning processes and a working knowledge of zoning and land-use regulations and urban design principles is strongly preferred.
• Ability to meet transportation requirements

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work remotely 1 – 4 days a week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite.  At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

Business Unit/Department: Planning, Urban Design & Sustainability (1275) 

Affiliation: CUPE 15 Non Pks 

Employment Type: Regular Full Time 

Position Start Date: January 2025 

Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-034: $63.84 to $75.51 per hour

Application Close: December 1, 2024

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion. 

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In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx. 5-10 minutes. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a summary of skills and experience related to the position.