The University of Victoria

Associate or Full Professor &

Director of the Master of Community Planning (MCP) Program 

University of Victoria

Department of Geography

Closing Date: August 7, 2026

Start Date: January 1, 2027, or as negotiated

The University of Victoria is located on the territory of the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Xʷsepsəm/Esquimalt) Peoples. The Department of Geography acknowledges this place-based relationship and is committed to the ongoing work of decolonization, community engagement, and socially relevant teaching and research.

The Department invites applications for the inaugural Director of the newly established Community Planning Program. This position is a tenure-track or tenured appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor to commence January 1, 2027, or as negotiated. 

Job Summary
 

The Department of Geography at the University of Victoria invites applications for a tenure-track or tenured faculty position in Community Planning at the rank of Associate or Full Professor, subject to final program approval. The successful candidate will serve as Director of the Master of Community Planning (MCP) Program and will provide academic and administrative leadership in the development and delivery of this new professional graduate program. As the inaugural Director, the successful candidate holds a critical role in shaping the focus and contributions of this MCP Program to the region. 

The salary for this position includes a competitive salary range of $129,000 - $159,000 at the Associate Professor rank, and $162,000 - $200,000 at the Professor rank. The candidate's qualifications, experience, and overall market demand will determine the final salary offer. UVic is committed to offering an equitable and competitive salary, inclusive of a generous benefits package, eligible leaves, and pension plan.

The MCP Program is a two-year professional graduate program designed to prepare students for careers in planning and related fields. The program emphasizes applied learning, community-based research, experiential education, and sustained engagement with planning practitioners and communities. 

The MCP curriculum integrates planning theory with hands-on, practical experiences. Students will have opportunities to apply their learning through real-world projects and professional placements, including participation in the university’s co-operative education (co-op) program.

The MCP Program received provincial approval in 2026 and has been designed to align with the requirements of the Professional Standards Board, the accrediting body for the Planning Institute of British Columbia (PIBC), as well as the expectations of the Canadian Institute of Planners. Graduates of the program will be well-prepared to pursue accreditation as a Registered Professional Planner (RPP). The program is currently under review for pre-accreditation.

Located in a region that includes a complexity of local governments, numerous First Nations, and the provincial capital, UVic offers an exceptional setting for planning education. The successful candidate will play a central role in shaping a program that responds to pressing issues such as housing, climate change, infrastructure, Indigenous planning, rural and urban planning, and sustainable community development. 

Requirements

This is a faculty position with leadership, teaching, research, service, and program-development responsibilities. We seek a candidate who has:

• A PhD or other Doctorate in Planning, Geography, Urban Studies, Public Administration, or a related field by the time of appointment;
• Registered Professional Planner (RPP) status or eligibility for RPP registration;
• Professional and/or academic expertise relevant to community planning practice and planning education;
• Demonstrated ability to teach effectively at a graduate level, with the potential to also teach undergraduate courses;
• Evidence of administrative leadership or the potential to provide academic leadership in a professional graduate program;
• An interest in curriculum development, accreditation processes, and building partnerships with professional and community organizations;
• A commitment to mentoring graduate students and fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment for diverse student populations;
• Demonstrated track-record of research in planning and/or related fields.

Preferred Assets

• Experience in one or more of the following areas: community planning, land use planning, urban design, planning theory and methods, Indigenous planning, rural and regional planning, housing, climate adaptation, infrastructure planning, community engagement, planning law, transportation planning, or GIS/spatial analysis in planning contexts;
• Experience with applied, community-based, or experiential learning;
• Knowledge of planning issues and governance contexts relevant to British Columbia, including local and Indigenous government contexts.

• Understanding of approaches to planning grounded in Indigenous knowledges, decolonization, spatial justice, equity, and accessibility.

   

Position Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Provide leadership in the development, implementation, and administration of the MCP Program; 
• Teach core courses in the program and contribute to curriculum development, program planning, and ongoing evaluation of course delivery; 
• Supervise and support instructors within the program, fostering coordination and consistency across courses; 
• Oversee graduate admissions to the program in consultation with administrative staff and the department; 
• Support accreditation preparation and liaison with relevant professional bodies; 
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across Geography and related units to support interdisciplinary programming; 
• Build and maintain relationships with community partners, professional planners, local governments, and Indigenous communities, as appropriate; 

• Conduct research and scholarly activity related to planning and/or related fields;

  Contribute to departmental and university service.

Submission of Application

To apply, please submit the following materials in a single PDF or MS Word file to Professor Chris Bone, Chair, Department of Geography, at geogchair@uvic.ca by August 7th, 2026:

• A one-page cover letter addressing the full scope of the position;
• A curriculum vitae;
• A two-page statement of teaching experience and approach;
• A two-page statement outlining relevant professional, administrative, and research experience, including any experience related to program leadership, curriculum development, or community-engaged work;
• Contact information for three referees.

Please note that reference checks will be conducted, and background checks, including credential and degree verification, may be undertaken as part of this recruitment process.

UVic is committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion and human rights in our living, learning and work environments. In pursuit of our values, we seek members who are eager to actively participate in that shared responsibility. We actively encourage applications from members of historically and systemically marginalized groups.

Read our full equity statement. 

The University acknowledges the potential impact that career interruptions can have on a candidate’s record. We encourage applicants to explain in their application the impact that career interruptions might have had on their record.

Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process may contact Faculty Relations and Academic Administration in the Office of the VP Academic and Provost at FRrecruit@uvic.ca. Any personal information provided will be maintained in confidence.

Faculty and Librarians at the University of Victoria are governed by the provisions of the Collective Agreement. Members are represented by the University of Victoria Faculty Association (http://www.uvicfa.ca).

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. If you are neither a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, please indicate if you are authorized to work in Canada or willingness to apply for authorization, if offered a position contingent upon eligibility and approval from Canadian government authorities.