Aplin & Martin Consultants Ltd.

Planning Project Manager

Aplin Martin is an employee-owned company celebrating over 53 years of success in making sustainable communities a reality across Canada. The Aplin Martin family has grown into a multi-disciplinary firm of 200 civil engineers, urban planners, architects, and land surveyors delivering innovative and practical design solutions, approval strategies, and project management services to our clients in BC, Alberta, and Ontario. At Aplin Martin, we are committed to providing accessible, responsive, and professional service and support to our clients through our offices in Kelowna, Surrey, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto, Vancouver, and Nanaimo.

As a result of our continued growth, we have an excellent opportunity in our Central City Surrey office for a Planner who enjoys working on a wide range of challenging and diverse community plans.

Position Overview 

The position of Planner is a senior-level position within the urban planning industry. The Planner brings significant relevant work experience specifically in land-use planning and/or development and applies this knowledge to advance strategic projects or complex development approval.

The Planner is expected to be an MCIP Registered Professional Planner, and will take a leadership role on the project team, guiding, supervising and mentoring others. While the Planner will work alongside and report to a Project Manager, they are expected to make and take responsibility for strategic project decisions.

The Planner shall exhibit excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as have a deep understanding how social, political and spatial systems impact urban design. This position involves high-level negotiation and judgment on behalf of clients, and will be responsibility for establishing, monitoring, and maintaining a project budget and schedule.

Required Skillset

• Highly proficient at reading, interpreting and drafting regulations, policies and Bylaws. Deep understanding of recent and relevant municipal, provincial and federal policy program and initiatives.
• Strategic thinker, able to attend to details while keeping big-picture goals in mind.
• Expert at advancing strategic projects, seeking municipal approvals, and establishing development strategies.
• Able to create graphic designs, development strategies, and render site plans via sketches and/or computer graphics highly desirable.
• In-depth knowledge within one or more planning specialties, such as land use, Master / Community, transportation, economic, environmental, social, and/or First Nations plannin
• Advanced verbal communication skills used to communicate strategic project objectives. Able to understand, interpret and translate complex and / or technical concepts and ideas through written and verbal communication tools.
• Highly proficient interpersonal skills for communication and facilitation.
• Able to manage, direct and facilitate a variety of forms of community consultation. Able to speak comfortably and intelligibly in meetings and in Council chambers, in front of Clients, Municipal Staff, and Councils for projects of moderate complexity.
• Highly organized and able to multi-task in order to manage diverse workloads of one’s self and other team members, with competing timelines.
• Able to work independently or in a team environment, with limited guidance or direction.
• Able to review work done by others to ensure accuracy or assumptions and adherence to good planning principles.

Typical Functions

• Managing relationships, directing coordination and interacting with outside agencies, Clients, industry partners, and subconsultants.
• Negotiating with outside agencies, if required.
• Developing, maintaining, and adjusting project schedules (small to medium) and (large) projects, if required.
• Attending Client / Municipal meetings and advising Client and outside agencies of delays, if required.
• Overall design review and analysis confirmation.
• Preparation, review and approval of cost estimates (Planning).
• Negotiating with approval agencies in relaxation of design requirements.
• Providing high level advice to Clients, if required.
• Attending site visits and open houses and if required, chair open houses Complete review, evaluation and finalization of basic technical writing.
• Advising Clients / municipal staff on complex project issues, technical matters and provide options, if required.
• Attending and if required, representing Clients at Public Hearing.
• Managing internal planning teams (1 – 3 staff) and providing mentorship to junior staff.
• Soliciting existing Clients for proposal opportunities and actively seek new business opportunities, if required.
• Preparation of proposals and establishing overall project budget (basic) and if required, provide advanced budgets
• Managing and being responsible for project expenses, if required.
• Responsible for monthly billing / invoicing (> $10k per month average).
• Preparation of documentation for extra work.
• Negotiating with Clients on outstanding accounts receivables.

Minimum Qualifications 

• Post-Secondary education or related Diploma in urban planning, land-use design, architecture, or public policy, with a minimum of five (5) years relevant work experience; or Master’s degree in Urban Planning with a minimum of three (3) years of relevant work experience;
• Minimum of two (2) years of work experience specifically in in land-use planning, land-development, or relevant project management in a consulting role is required.
• MCIP Accreditation is required.

The Benefits:

Upon joining Aplin Martin, you will receive a competitive salary that is reflective of your skills and experience. You will also have access to a wide range of benefits, including:

• Extended medical, dental and vision benefits
• Life and disability insurance
• Flexible work schedules to promote a healthy work/life balance
• Social and team-building events
• Relocation assistance available for the right candidate

At Aplin Martin, you will find a friendly and supportive team that works and plays hard. Our team is passionate about their work and community. We regularly participate in continuing education programs and industry events. We are happy to foster opportunities for professional development and career progression.

Please apply here: https://www.aplinmartin.com/careers/