Career Center

The Township of Puslinch is seeking applications for the permanent, full-time position of Planner. This challenging opportunity will appeal to a motivated, cooperative individual who is committed to working in a dynamic atmosphere.

Reporting to the Clerk, the Planner is responsible for reviewing, evaluating, and providing recommendations regarding complex planning applications such as plans of subdivisions/condominium, site plans, minor variance, consent, heritage, Aggregate Resource Act (ARA) applications and zoning by-law amendments, and other applications for development received by the Township in accordance with the Township’s strategic direction and provincial planning requirements. The Planner is responsible to provide information and advice to staff, Council, Committees, stakeholders, and the public. The Planner is responsible to represent the Township at tribunals and at hearings on court applications such as the Ontario Land Tribunal.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conducts research and prepares technical reports, studies, and policies on planning standards, requirements, and other land-use planning or development matters, as required/assigned.
• Provides professional expertise and evidence at the Ontario Land Tribunal and other courts or tribunals, as required, including enforcement matters related to Township regulatory by-laws.
• Evaluates plans of subdivisions/condominium, site plans, minor variance, consent and zoning by-law amendments, ARA applications and other applications for development received by the Township in accordance with the Township’s strategic direction and provincial planning requirements.
• Oversees the circulation and notification, and reviews comments from internal staff, other departments, Township consultants, external governments and agencies, the general public, and other stakeholders related to all planning applications received by the Township.
• In consultation with the Municipal Clerk, coordinates the functions related to the recognition, review, and conservation of cultural heritage resources including conducting related research, providing planning support to the Heritage Advisory Committee, maintaining inventory of local cultural heritage resources, preparing and evaluating the comprehensiveness and accuracy of cultural heritage impact assessments, archaeological assessments, and research reports submitted by consultants.
• Provides supervision and direction to the Development and Legislative Coordinator.
• Prepares planning reports and recommendations related to subdivisions/condominium, site plans (where applicable), minor variance, consent, ARA and zoning by-law amendments and other applications for development received by the Township for consideration by Council and/or Committee.
• Attends Council, Committee, Public Hearing, Committee of Adjustment, community/stakeholder, and other public meetings as required.
• Attends the County of Wellington Land Division Committee meetings and report back on the outcome of planning applications including Consent applications and Official Plan Amendments.
• Liaise with the County of Wellington Planning Department on the outcome of consent application completeness.
• Makes presentations and provides advice/guidance on municipal land-use planning, development applications, new or pending legislation and regulatory guidelines, and other planning matters to Council and Committee as required.
• Responds to inquiries from and liaises with the development community, internal departments, Township consultants, other governments/agencies, residents, community and special interest groups, elected officials, etc. on Township planning matters and development proposals.
• Reports to the Municipal Clerk and CAO regularly on the status of development applications.
• Develops and oversees the maintenance of planning databases including residential and employment land inventories, Township active planning application website page, and CloudPermit.
• Coordinates mapping requirements in consultation with the County of Wellington including GIS input and updates.
• Responsible for the planning cost centre allocation for the annual budget, in conjunction with the Clerks and Finance Department.
• Analyzes consultant and project costs and forecasts related budgetary needs and impacts.
• Contributes to departmental work and business planning, and processes review and streamlining.
• Participates as a member of the Clerks Department team providing input on departmental/corporate planning and Corporate Work Plan initiatives.
• Process Antenna System Siting Proposals in consultation with CRINS as mandated by Industry Canada, including site investigation meetings, coordinating, and approving public notification, review of public consultation results and the issuance of a letter of concurrence or non-concurrence to Industry Canada for proposals.
• Attend all Township pre-consultation meetings and provide planning related comments to the proponent related to applications received.
• In coordination with the Deputy Clerk, oversee the zoning by-law compliance review related to all building permit applications including MDS calculations and confirm applications meet the requirements of a Nutrient Management Strategy
• In coordination with the Deputy Clerk, oversee and authorize responses to solicitors inquiring about the status of zoning, building, heritage, subdivision, and site plan compliance letter requests.
• Responsible for managing Township consultants in relation to Planning Act applications.
• In coordination with the Deputy Clerk, oversee Township Site Alteration permits and corresponding agreements in accordance with applicable legislation.
• Manage, monitor, and administer the Township’s ARA pit licence database.
• Manage and monitor ARA pit licence operational requirements for all active and non-active pits within the Township to ensure compliance.
• Liaise with the Ministry officials when compliance issues arise relating to local aggregate operations.
• Coordinate the peer review of all required monitoring reports in accordance with ARA licence requirements.
• Prepare reports and recommendations to Council in accordance with expert peer reviews of monitoring reports.
• Monitor the Environmental Registry of Ontario relating to applications that impact the Township and prepare reports and recommendations to Council within the comment periods specified.
• Act as the Township’s representative on the Wellington Source Water Protection Working Group.
• Assist with the Municipal Election.
• Develop and maintain job related procedures.
• Perform additional duties and special projects as required.
• Be responsible to work in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations, the Township of Puslinch Occupational Health, Safety and Workplace Violence Policy and Procedures, as well as established industry guidelines.

Minimum Qualifications:

• University degree in Land Use Planning, Environmental Studies, or related discipline.
• Minimum two (2) years’ experience in planning, preferably in a municipal setting.
• Full membership with the Canadian Institute of Planners and the Ontario Professional Planners Institute.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and customer service skills including the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Computer proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and database applications (GIS).
• Experience with CloudPermit is an asset.
• A valid Class “G” driver’s license in good standing is required as is a reliable vehicle to use on corporate business.
• Ability to attend evening and weekend meetings or other events.