PLANNER PARKS DEVELOPMENT & PLANNING (Toronto, ON, CA, M4C 2A9)
City : Toronto
Category : Policy, Planning & Research
Industry : Government
Employer : City of Toronto
- Job ID: 50664
- Job Category: Policy, Planning & Research
- Division & Section: Parks, Forestry & Recreation, PFR PPSI Parks Planning & Strategic Init
- Work Location: Metro Hall, 55 John St.
- Job Type & Duration: Full-time, Permanent Vacancy
- Hourly Rate: $48.49 - $53.14
- Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week
- Affiliation: L79 Full-time
- Number of Positions Open: 1
- Posting Period: 28-Nov-2024 to 11-Dec-2025
Major Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Manager or Senior Project Manager, the Planner will work with a team of professionals in Parks, Forestry and Recreation to expand and improve the City’s parks, trails and recreation services and facilities. The primary function of this position is to support the protection and provision of adequate parkland and recreation facilities by advancing parkland acquisitions, land exchanges, internal transfers, and undertaking land use planning and analysis to implement PFR’s Strategic Plans.
Specific duties may include but are not limited to:
- Reviews, evaluates, provides comments and makes recommendations on new parkland opportunities, for reporting to Committees and Council or under staff’s delegated authority, with regard to the Planning Act and applicable Municipal Code, Parkland Strategy, Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan and Official Plan policies and legislation.
- Review and comments on technical drawings and reports and undertakes land use planning analysis including parkland and facility needs assessments, geospatial analysis, application of Official Plan policies and zoning/land use designations, property information, and site visits, as required.
- Coordinates the environmental review of new parkland and other due diligence activities to ensure compliance with the Municipal Code and other relevant City policies.
- Provides information and advice in relation to requests from elected officials, City staff, property owners, consultants and the public, and prepares written responses as directed.
- Prepares reports, presentations and briefing materials for management and senior staff using office productivity, geospatial and statistical software or any other relevant programs as required, that are evidence-based and reflect a high degree of analysis
- Supports implementation of the approved capital budget for land acquisition and provides advice on new budget requests to advance land acquisition or park development.
- Serves as divisional representation and maintains effective communication and partnerships with other City Divisions, such as Corporate Real Estate Management, City Planning, Transportation Services and Legal Services, and agencies such as CreateTO, to advance property acquisitions and transfers including terms, due diligence, legal agreements and closing activities.
- Identifies, negotiations, mediates and resolves conflicting positions with groups that have varied objectives including developers, landowners, City Divisions and agencies, residents and elected officials, amongst others to meet the City’s parkland and recreation facility objectives and align with other growth-related demands in the context of limited land and resources.
- Provide advice related to applications for Official Plan Amendments for parkland disposals.
- Applies an equity lens to all work, supporting the Division’s commitment to the Reconciliation Action Plan, Action Plan to Confront Anti-Black Racism, and Multi-Year Accessibility Plan, among others.
- Serves as an expect witness at proceedings before mediations, tribunals or other judicial hearings on on parkland matters as they relate to the Official Plan, Municipal Code and/or the Planning Act, and prepares witness statements and other documentation to support the City and Council as required.
- Conducts research, data collection and analysis, including surveys, and supports public consultation activities such as public meetings, as required.
Key Qualifications
Your application must describe your qualifications as they relate to:
- Post-secondary education in urban and regional planning, urban geography, environmental studies or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Considerable experience with park and open space planning, recreation planning, land use planning and/or real estate.
- Considerable experience with reviewing plans, planning methodologies and processes including report writing, data collection, analysis and presentation, utilizing appropriate computer applications e.g. GIS, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, databases and Abode Creative Suite or equivalent.
- Experience in public consultation and acting as an effective liaison between stakeholders (e.g. internal and external client groups). in planning for parks and recreation services.
- Membership or eligibility for membership in the Canadian Institute of Planner and the Ontario Professional Planners Institute.
You must also have:
- Ability to understand, convey and use scientific and technical information in Parks, Forestry and Recreation planning processes and initiatives.
- Ability to anticipate and resolve issues related to parks and recreation planning.
- Ability to think critically and problem solve, with acute attention to detail.
- Understanding of relevant legislation, policy requirements and master plans related to park and recreation planning and development.
- Ability to scope project assignments and manage and meet critical timelines for processing pertinent work assignments and/or applications and approvals.
- Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, at a professional level with senior management, consultants, and staff from other divisions, other agencies and the public.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Familiarity with government legislation in the area of occupational health and safety.
NOTE TO INTERNAL FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME CITY OF TORONTO EMPLOYEES:
City of Toronto employees must apply to full-time or part-time employment opportunities posted on the City's Internal Job Posting Portal.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity.
Accommodation
The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request. Learn more about the City’s Hiring Policies and Accommodation Process.