City of New Westminster

DEPARTMENT:

Climate Action, Planning and Development

STATUS:

Regular Full-Time

NO. OF POSITIONS:

One

UNION:

CUPE, Local 387

HOURS OF WORK:

35 hours per week 

SALARY:

$54.44 - $64.43 per hour + comprehensive benefits package

There has never been a more exciting time to be a Senior Land Use Planner (Planner 2) for the City of New Westminster! Urban planning and land use policy decisions are at the confluence of complex issues that will shape the community for generations to come. The need for creative and innovative long range planning has never been greater, while also respecting, learning from, and honouring the generations who came before us, including those who have lived and cared for these lands from time immemorial. As a compact urban city, implementing land use policy and facilitating redevelopment comes with added opportunities and challenges, and our policy decisions need to evolve to support the development of a resilient and adaptive community, including ensuring equitable access to housing and community amenities for all. We believe that we have the responsibility and ability to create a better community for the future. 

If you are hired, you will be joining a team of committed and passionate professionals who care deeply about the community they serve who thrive on variety and enjoy the challenge that comes with emergent work. As a Senior Land Use Planner (Planner 2), you will lead innovative policy projects for the land use group in the Planning division. You will prepare neighborhood plans, design guidelines and draft land use policy. 

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing leadership and encouraging creativity in advancing practices, policies, and regulations within a team environment. 
• Formulating, modifying, and implementing land use policy, practices, and regulations at all levels of complexity, including:
  collecting and analyzing data
• Designing and facilitating community consultation
• Liaising with other City departments and stakeholders
• Advising senior staff and Council on an appropriate role for the City on social issues relative to other government and non-profit partners
• Drafting reports and making presentations to community groups, City committees and Council
• Writing policy documents
• Creating guides, web content and other related material.
• Liaising with internal and external contacts on matters related to the land use planning group’s work, including serving as the City’s representative to external agencies.
• Ensuring all land use policy projects and processes are consistent with Council’s strategic priorities and the City’s overall objectives, including those related to housing, community planning, economic development, climate action, equity, and reconciliation.

If you have many of these attributes, we would like to hear from you:

• A Master’s Degree in Planning or a related discipline, with considerable professional experience in policy planning, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Ability to lead project teams, including work planning, budgeting, and assigning work.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, techniques, methods, procedures, and legislation applicable to municipal planning.
• Experience in the development and implementation of land use or related policy.
• Ability to express ideas effectively verbally, visually, and in writing to various audiences.
• Strong understanding of best practices and tools applicable to the creation of land use policy for complex urban areas, including considerations for growth, climate action, and equity.
• Interdisciplinary knowledge of fields related to land use planning, such as housing, regional planning, urban design, social planning, municipal law, and land economics.
• Demonstrated ability to design and facilitate engaging community consultation events and activities and effectively represent the organization.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, facilitation, collaboration, and conflict resolution skills.
• Political acumen as demonstrated by participating in Council or committee meetings.
• Strong organizational skills, proven ability to problem solve, and the ability to manage multiple tasks and deliver results.
• Demonstrate an understanding and sensitivity to the diverse communities of the city, their histories, and cultural contributions as well as an ability to work respectfully with those groups in a trauma-informed way.
• Knowledge of the municipal development review process.

What we offer:

• Work-life balance – 35 hour work week, vacation, an optional compressed day off program, and optional hybrid work schedule
• Health and wellness – extended health, dental, life insurance benefits, paid sick leave plan, plus other wellness-focused programs and benefits
• Retirement benefits – including municipal pension plan
• Career development – ongoing learning, leadership development and education development program

New Westminster is at the “sweet spot” when it comes to employer size – you will have a team to support you along with the diversity and variety of work to be challenged and growing every day. We offer a fun and rewarding culture where staff take their work seriously but not themselves. If this opportunity appeals to you and you possess many of the attributes and skills outlined, we would love to hear from you!  

Apply online with your cover letter and resume in one document at www.newwestcity.ca/employment by January 9, 2025

To support a workforce that reflects the diversity of our community; women, Indigenous Peoples, racialized individuals, persons of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (LGBTQ2S+), persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to diversity of our workforce, are encouraged to express their interest.

New Westminster is on the unceded and unsurrendered land of the Halq'eméylem-speaking peoples.  It is acknowledged by the City that colonialism has made invisible their histories and connections to the land. We are learning and building relationships with the people whose lands we are on.

We thank all applicants for their interest and advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

 This position is only open to those legally entitled to work in Canada.