Career Center

JOB TITLE:  Principal Planner/Supervisor (Downtown Revitalization)

DEPARTMENT:  Planning, Building & Growth Management

POSTING NUMBER:  106372

NUMBER OF POSITIONS:  1

JOB STATUS & DURATION:  Full Time Permanent

HOURS OF WORK:  35-hour workweek

LOCATION:  Hybrid Model*– when working onsite, you will report to the location of City Hall

SALARY GRADE:  7

HIRING SALARY RANGE:  $ 111,485.00 - $ 125,421.00 per annum

MAXIMUM OF SALARY RANGE:  $ 139,356.00 per annum

JOB TYPE:  Management and Administration

POSTING DATE:  September 25, 2024

CLOSING DATE:  October 13, 2024

AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY:

The Principal Planner/Supervisor 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 and sensitive planning assignments or Divisional projects based on Department or corporate strategic priorities.  The role is responsible for the delivery of planning, development review and related projects in accordance with Provincial Policy including Planning Act, Provincial Policy Statements, Ontario Heritage Act, and other relevant legislation.

The Principal Planner is responsible for supervising, directing and mentoring staff and consultants in one or more areas of expertise such as Development Review, City Planning, Zoning By-law, Official Plan, Secondary and Tertiary Plans, Program Administration, Transportation and Transit Station Areas, Housing, Cultural Heritage, Growth Management, Research and Analytics. Responsible for leading a team of professionals, monitors workflow, provides key project management guidance, directs research and provides technical expertise to staff.

Key Responsibilities

1. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Supervises, directs and oversees a team of professional staff and assignments, and provides technical assistance and information to staff and the public on complex sensitive professional planning assignments.
• Contribute to the formulation of corporate goals and objectives related to community planning.
• Provide strategic direction and lead the creation of plans, policies and procedures, including updates to the Official Plan, Zoning By-law, Secondary and Tertiary Plans.
• Evaluates and may process complex applications including subdivision applications, permits, site plans, development agreements, and land use by-law amendments, Official and Secondary plan amendments, and other planning applications.
• Supports the development and ongoing management of projects and initiatives such as an Integrated Downtown Plan, Affordable Housing Strategy, Comprehensive Zoning By-law Review, City-wide Parking strategy, multi-modal Transportation, Intensification Corridors, MTSAs and Town Centres, Heritage Studies.
• Coordinate the development and implementation of incentive programs and initiatives such as the Community Improvement Plan.
• Ensure compliance and make recommendations, decisions and actions within the framework of Provincial planning legislation, Regional and City Official Plans, regulatory approvals and other relevant documents.
• Provide direction to staff on the implementation of policies and procedures through the development application review process.
• Create partnerships with other service delivery teams across the organization to optimize and create efficiencies in community plans and policies.
• Recommend and manage assigned project and program budgets.
• Support various Committees, Task Forces, and Working Groups by organizing and attending meetings, writing reports, responding to inquiries, etc.
• Prepare and assemble information necessary to respond to appeals to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB)/Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) and appear as an expert witness.
• When appointed, administers heritage conservation plans and bylaws and makes decisions on the issuance of certificates of appropriateness.
• Evaluates and may process complex applications including subdivision applications, permits, site plans, development agreements, zoning by-law and official plan amendments, and other planning applications.
• Prepare and/or oversee the preparation of Corporate Reports to Council with respect community plans and policies.
• Identify and provide advice/alignment of the City’s relevant by-laws to support corporate policy and procedures.
• Assists and supports in the establishment and ongoing maintenance of budgets as requested by the Manager.
• Conducts field evaluations and visits.

2. PEOPLE LEADERSHIP

• Determine needs for staffing allocation, recruitment, time and performance management, discipline and other personnel matters of a confidential nature.
• Assist with planning, prioritization and distribution of assignments to staff based on qualifications and experience while maintaining and monitoring established service levels.
• Foster a productive team environment by effectively addressing issues, supporting and motivating staff including mentoring and training.
• Responsible for the day-to-day implementation of procedures, policies and regulations for the review of development applications through a community planning and policy lens.
• Engage and supervise consultants for a variety of projects.
• Lead steering and technical advisory committees, consultants and public consultations related to the planning and development program area.
• Work in collaboration, as part of the section’s management team, in the evaluation of the section’s effectiveness and assess the need for changes to legislation, budgets, and current trends.
• Work with staff through mentorship and professional development, to ensure progression, motivation and innovation.

3. CUSTOMER SERVICE

• Provide professional expertise to a variety of stakeholders.
• Prepare, coordinate and/or contribute to information sessions/public meetings as part of strategic projects.

4. RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

• Establish effective partnerships with various stakeholders including members of Council, other City Divisions, the Region of Peel, Provincial Ministries, the development industry, professional consultants, heritage interest groups, local residents, businesses and property owners.
• Build and foster strong working relationships with divisional, departmental, inter-departmental and external partners, including elected officials, private, public and external agencies in the delivery of policy planning objectives.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive approach to public engagement for community plans, policies, and development initiatives.
• Partner with other leaders in the corporation to ensure collaboration and alignment of initiatives.
• Engage and manage consultants as required.
• Resolves conflicts resulting from Departmental activities, such as interpretive and procedural disputes with applicants and non-compliance.

5. COMMUNICATION

• Liaise with internal section staff, external agencies, members of Council, landowners and consultants for the development industry, and the public as related to various projects.
• Attend public meetings representing the section and provide consultative services to the public, elected officials, municipal boards, such as the Brampton Heritage Board and outside agencies.
• Responsible for developing key messaging about the City’s programs to internal and external audiences.
• Prepare/present Corporate Reports and presentations to Council and senior management.
• Oversee the representation of information on both the internal and external City webpages. Create marketing materials and publications for public consumption.

6. CORPORATE CONTRIBUTION

• Represent the section, division, or department on assigned departmental, corporate and outside agency committees. Prepares and presents detailed reports and recommendations on planning matters to staff, Boards, Committees and Council and serves as liaison to such committees.
• Present/defend the City’s position at the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB)/Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT), in the capacity of an expert witness.
• Identify and disseminate knowledge on emerging best practices and policies for the development and implementation of robust and responsive policies and plans that meet the renewed vision of a growing municipality.

7. BUDGET MANAGEMENT

• Work in collaboration, as part of the section’s management team, in the preparation of sectional inputs into the development of annual capital and operating budgets and forecasts.
• Manage assigned project and program operating and capital budgets.
• Ensure section adherence to all corporate policies and procedures.

8. TEAMWORK AND COORPERATION

• Foster engagement, debate and consensus building to achieve strategic deliverables with internal and external stakeholders.
• Organizes and conducts consultation and co-ordinates input on specific planning related issues from other divisions, agencies and orders of government, members of Council, consultants, landowners and community groups.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

EDUCATION:

• A Master’s Degree in 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.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE:

• 6 or 8 years of relevant, progressive experience in development and policy planning.
• Fully competent in all aspects of the Planer I, II and III positions
• Supervisory experience in a related field is preferred. Public sector experience with a unionized environment is an asset.

OTHER SKILLS AND ASSETS:

• Full membership with the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) and designation as a Registered Professional Planner (RPP) are required.
• Additional relevant professional memberships, such as Ontario Association of Architects (OAA), Ontario Association of Landscape Architects or equivalent are assets.
• Affiliation with professional bodies relevant to specific work assignment is expected ie. Membership with the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals (CAHP).
• Advanced knowledge of the philosophies, principals, practices & techniques of planning including cross-functional knowledge involving other disciplines
• Advanced knowledge of legislation governing the planning process in Ontario including the Provincial Policy Statement
• 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
• A dynamic, team-oriented individual with highly developed project and people management skills and an ability to handle multiple and shifting priorities.
• Sound, analytical, decision-making, problem solving, organizational and leadership skills.
• Highly functional in computer applications such as Microsoft Office, GIS and customized software associated with development applications review, report writing, etc.
• Responsible for implementing and complying with Brampton Corporate Occupational Health and Safety policies, Brampton specific safety policies, the Ontario Occupational Health & Safety Act and the safety regulations applicable to the work activity.
• Supervises and advises staff on actual and/or potential workplace hazards for the development, implementation and monitoring of safe work procedures and practices and that appropriate training is available and required.

**Various tests and/or exams may be administered as part of the selection criteria.

Interview:  Our recruitment process may be completed with video conference technology.

As part of the corporation’s Modernizing Job Evaluation project, this position will undergo an evaluation which may result in a change to the rate of compensation.  Any changes affecting this position will be communicated as information becomes available. *Our Hybrid Model is subject to change.  

If this opportunity matches your interest and experience, please apply online at: www.brampton.ca/employment quoting reference #106372 by October 13, 2024 and complete the attached questionnaire. We thank all applicants; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. The successful candidate(s) will be required, as a condition of employment, to execute a written employment agreement. A criminal record search will be required of the successful candidate to verify the absence of a criminal record for which a pardon has not been granted.

As part of the application process, applicants will be invited to complete a self-identification survey. The survey is voluntary. Participation in the survey will have no impact on hiring decisions.  Should you wish to opt out of completing the survey, please select “prefer not to answer” as a response to each question.  All information collected is confidential and will not be shared with the hiring manager. The surveys will be anonymized and will be kept separate from applicant or employee files, such that the individuals who completed the surveys will not be identifiable.  The results of the survey will assist in the analysis of disaggregated metrics for organizational planning purposes and our commitment to advance and foster diversity, equity, and inclusion. The City may use anonymized data to produce aggregate reports for internal or external use.

Please be advised, the City of Brampton uses email to communicate with their applicants for open job competitions. It is the applicant’s responsibility to include an updated email address that is checked daily and accepts emails from unknown users. As we send time sensitive correspondence via email (i.e. testing bookings, interview dates), it is imperative that applicants check their email regularly. If we do not hear back from applicants, we will assume that you are no longer interested in the Job Competition and your application will be removed from the Competition.

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The City is an equal opportunity employer.  We are committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes and work environments. If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact TalentAcquisition@brampton.ca or 905.874.2150 with your accommodation needs, quoting the job opening ID#, job title. Any information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially. 

EDUCATION:

• A Master’s Degree in 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.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE:

• 6 or 8 years of relevant, progressive experience in development and policy planning.
• Fully competent in all aspects of the Planer I, II and III positions
• Supervisory experience in a related field is preferred. Public sector experience with a unionized environment is an asset.

OTHER SKILLS AND ASSETS:

• Full membership with the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) and designation as a Registered Professional Planner (RPP) are required.
• Additional relevant professional memberships, such as Ontario Association of Architects (OAA), Ontario Association of Landscape Architects or equivalent are assets.
• Affiliation with professional bodies relevant to specific work assignment is expected ie. Membership with the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals (CAHP).
• Advanced knowledge of the philosophies, principals, practices & techniques of planning including cross-functional knowledge involving other disciplines
• Advanced knowledge of legislation governing the planning process in Ontario including the Provincial Policy Statement
• 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
• A dynamic, team-oriented individual with highly developed project and people management skills and an ability to handle multiple and shifting priorities.
• Sound, analytical, decision-making, problem solving, organizational and leadership skills.
• Highly functional in computer applications such as Microsoft Office, GIS and customized software associated with development applications review, report writing, etc.
• Responsible for implementing and complying with Brampton Corporate Occupational Health and Safety policies, Brampton specific safety policies, the Ontario Occupational Health & Safety Act and the safety regulations applicable to the work activity.
• Supervises and advises staff on actual and/or potential workplace hazards for the development, implementation and monitoring of safe work procedures and practices and that appropriate training is available and required.