City of Richmond

Overview

The Planner 2, Housing Policy, coordinates affordable housing policy, including working with the Policy Planning department, to implement housing policy and research initiatives, manage studies and consultants, and liaise with internal and external stakeholders to develop and advance the new housing policy initiatives and programs.

Under the direction of the Program Manager, Housing Policy, the Planner 2, Housing Policy will assist in advancing spatial analysis with a GIS Analyst to identify, model and/or forecast affordable housing opportunities in Richmond.

Examples of key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Supporting the Program Manager, Housing Policy in the maintenance of a Low End Market Rental Program policy framework.
• Support maintenance of the City’s housing needs data and reporting, including supporting up to date locational information related to housing needs.
• Reviewing development applications considering the City’s Affordable Housing Strategy and related land use plans and policy (e.g., Official Community Plan, Homelessness Strategy, etc.).
• Coordinating communications and engagement activities for the City’s affordable housing policy initiatives.
• Fostering effective working relationships with project partners including but not limited to: BC Housing, non-profit housing operators, consultants, contractors, developers, and senior levels of government.
• Investigating potential grants, capital funding, and other opportunities to enhance and sustain Richmond’s affordable housing objectives.
• Responding to information requests from the public, staff, council, and external agencies.
• Collaborating on other priority initiatives of the Housing Office.
• Representing the City’s affordable housing interests in public forums (e.g. at Council, Planning Committee, Public Hearings, Metro Vancouver committees).
• Effectively managing comprehensive work programs, staff teams, budgets and consultants.
• Performing other duties as required. 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of affordable housing and community planning practices, principles, policies, methods and procedures in a municipal setting.
• Understanding of land development considerations used in determining project and policy viability.
• Understanding of GIS as a planning tool. Having the ability to define a scope of analysis, modelling and/or forecasting..
• Knowledge of the affordable housing sector, including the roles of the provincial and federal governments, non-profit housing providers, and the private sector.
• Strong report writing abilities and the ability to convey complex materials and subject matter in a clear and concise way.
• Up to date knowledge of social, economic, political and demographic factors related to housing needs in Richmond and Metro Vancouver.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with municipal staff, elected officials, government agencies, non-profit housing operators and the public with courtesy, tact and discretion.
• Understanding of development approval requirements, including applicable legislation, policy and regulatory controls at the municipal, regional and provincial levels.
• Ability to develop and oversee work plans and project budgets.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Research methods for assessing demand for, and the delivery of, affordable housing including the use of software to generate housing and other related needs projections.
• Strong communication abilities including the ability to speak at small-scaled public engagement events and to present development applications to Committees of Council.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel.
• Ability to use REDMS or a similar Records Management System.
• Ability to successfully clear a Police Information Check.

Qualifications and Experience:

• A Master’s Degree in Community Planning or a related field.
• Eligibility or membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners and the Planning Institute of British Columbia.
• A minimum of two years of professional experience in the planning and development of housing projects, preferably involving non-profit housing organizations / partners.
• An equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be considered in lieu of having a minimum two years of housing-related experience.
• Experience preparing and overseeing work plans; accreditation as a Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent accreditation is considered an asset.
• Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License.

Please APPLY here: https://tre.tbe.taleo.net/tre01/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=TRQS8M&cws=37&rid=2218