The University of British Columbia

Job Summary

UBC is planning the development of a new site on a 5-acre parcel of land in Surrey at the corner of King George and Fraser Highway, with development being led by UBC Properties Trust under the jurisdiction of the City of Surrey and programming being led by the UBC Vancouver Provost’s Office. The Senior Campus Planner (Senior Planner) coordinates the planning and programming of the University’s academic and support facilities for the new Surrey campus in partnership with UBC Properties Trust. This includes direct responsibility for the development of planning objectives and specific functional requirements for the site to meet faculty needs and broader institutional policies and guidelines, as well as provincial space standards. The position will be responsible for using the objectives and requirements to inform the site masterplan being created by a consulting firm (contracted by UBC Properties Trust) and subject to the approvals of the City of Surrey. The position is also responsible for coordinating and supporting multiple internal and external work streams led by other staff responsible for government relations, community and First Nations engagement, campus planning policy, academic planning, capital project approval, etc., through meeting facilitation, work planning, tracking, reporting and budgeting. 

Organizational Status
Reports to the Project Director within the Provost Office with day-to-day guidance provided by the AVP Campus Community Planning, AVP, Facilities and CEO, UBC Properties Trust. A Project Steering Committee provides overall strategic direction and support. The position works closely with UBC Properties Trust as the site developer and liaises frequently with UBC faculties, operational departments and committees. Engagement with external parties and the public is expected, including working with UBC Properties Trust in seeking approvals from the City of Surrey for the site masterplan and associated permits. Supporting engagement with the provincial government, including the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training, will also be required.

Work Performed
The Senior Planner is responsible for the on-going management from inception to completion of the pre-design phase as well as support to UBC Properties Trust in the development and approval of the site masterplan. The Senior Planner may direct a consultant team or undertake work directly. Work includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Manages the creation of functional facilities programmes (both function and equipment) for planning purposes. Programmes are based on changing user needs, department and faculty expansions, and master plan undertakings.

• Manages the development of conceptual and schematic plans and budgets for various faculties, departments and administrative groups in response to requests from departments and assigned by the Director. Makes recommendations to faculties regarding space utilization.

• Organizes and co-chairs project working group meetings with the UBC Properties Trust project lead.

• Designs and leads creative planning and visioning sessions that enable diverse stakeholders to develop integrated solutions.

• Works with UBC Properties Trust to define terms of reference and recommendations of planning consultants if required.  This may encompass the employment of specialist facilities programming services, design architect, quantity surveyor, laboratory design or animal facility specialists, Campus Security, IT Services, etc.

• Partners with UBC Properties Trust in engaging with City of Surrey staff for approval of the site masterplan and associated range of planning and engineering permits.

• Directs and participates in and occasionally leads public meetings, information sessions and planning sessions. This may include working with engagement staff to develop public consultation materials, including display boards, info sheets, and presentations.

• Oversees and provides analysis and reporting for engagement processes. This includes summarizing input from consultation exercises for relevant planning teams and writing reports and consideration memos.

• Manages project tracking, reporting, resourcing and budgets for the various streams of work involved in the plan for the campus such as government relations, community and First Nations engagement, campus planning policy, academic planning, capital project approval, etc.

• Prepare reports on planning programs, planning processes, draft plans, and capital approvals for senior university committees, the Executive and the Board of Governors.

• Works with UBC Infrastructure Development in the development of business cases for approval of capital funding as needed.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Error in judgement and planning of projects can have serious financial impact not only on the department that the work is being completed for, but for the University as a whole. Errors in the planning and linked construction process can result in delayed occupancy and result in faculty unable to teach/carry out research as required. Error in application of programming standards can result in misuse of space, departments being unnecessarily inconvenienced or under/over supplied or undermining of the University academic space planning process. Government funding for projects relies on proof of responsible and accurate space dedication, compliance with BC Universities Space Standards and meeting the University’s enrollment targets. The loss of funding to the University is an additional potential consequence of any such error. Other potential consequences include damage to the reputation of the university and loss of economic and academic opportunity.

Supervision Received

Subject to direction from the Project Director within the Provost Office, AVP Campus and Community Planning, AVP Facilities, and CEO UBC Properties Trust, the Senior Planner is responsible within Department and University guidelines to determine what actions must be taken to achieve the ultimate project goal of meeting User and University requirements on schedule and on budget.

Supervision Given

The Senior Planner is responsible for managing all resource people involved in the pre-design phase of a capital project. A typical breakdown of these resource people is as follows:

(5-10)   Project Planning Committee - with the Planner as Co-Chair

(2-4)     Programming Consultant (if required) - including staff

(3-6)     Off-Campus Resources - Special Consultants, Government Departments, Quantity Surveyor, etc.

(15-30) Total - Average (20)

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Eligibility for membership in a professional Institute or Association. Minimum of nine years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

University degree in Architecture or urban planning preferred. Experience in design and planning required, with a preference for experience with municipal approvals. Familiarity with University scheduling, asset management systems, capital project approvals and related policies and procedures an asset. Excellent project management and budget management skills and experience required. Ability to work in a team environment and to exercise a high level of tact, diplomacy and discretion in developing and maintaining collaborations with academic, administrative, agency and public representatives.  Ability to work in a highly organized and independent manner, following policy guidelines, and without supervision.  Ability to lead and work with a variety of staff and students, and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of external and internal contacts.  A high degree of independent and collaborative decision-making in situations calling for cooperation as well as independent judgment. Complex organizing and problem solving is required.  Demonstrated skill in oral and written communication.  

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