City : Toronto

Category : Policy, Planning & Research

Industry : Government

Employer : City of Toronto

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  Job ID: 29236
• Job Category: Policy, Planning & Research
• Division & Section: Parks, Forestry & Recreation, PFR PDCP Parks Dev & Capital Projects
• Work Location: Various Locations, please see below 
• Job Type & Duration: 4 Permanent Contract and 1 Temporary (12 month) Vacancy 
• Hourly Rate and Wage Grade: $47.54 - $52.10, Wage Grade 15
• Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week
• Affiliation: L79 Full-Time
• Number of Positions Open: 5
• Posting Period: 08-March-2023 to 22-March-2023
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Work Locations:

Metro Hall (55 John Street), North York Civic Centre (5100 Yonge St), Etobicoke Civic Centre (399 The West Mall)

Job Summary:

The Planner, Parks Development & Planning, reporting to the Manager, Development and Senior Project Manager, Parks Development, will be part of multi-disciplinary and inter-divisional teams and be responsible for developing and implementing plans and strategies related to the development of new parks and recreation facilities.  

Major Responsibilities:

• Reviews, evaluates, provides comments and makes recommendations on development applications related to parkland dedication requirements for reporting to Committees and Council with regard to the Planning Act and applicable Municipal Code, Parkland Strategy, Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan and Official Plan policies and legislation.

• Ensures new parkland assets are properly secured by reviewing and drafting legally binding conditions in agreements so that such assets are delivered in a timely manner.

• Identifies, negotiates, mediates and resolves conflicting positions with groups that have varied objectives including developers, land owners, residents and elected officials, amongst others to meet parkland and recreation facility objectives of the City of Toronto's Official Plan, the Ontario Planning Act and Provincial Policy Statements.

• Coordinates the environmental review of new parkland under the Policy for Accepting Potentially Contaminated Lands to be Conveyed to the City under the Planning Act.

• Supports preliminary design and consultation to guide the development of new community recreation centres and outdoor recreation facilities.

• Serves as an expert witness at proceedings before tribunals such as the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) on parkland matters as they relate to the Official Plan, Municipal Code and the Planning Act; and prepares witness statements and other documentation to support the City and Council.

• Serves as divisional representation and maintains effective communication and partnerships with other City Divisions and Agencies, Boards and Commissions and provincial agencies.

• Provides information and advice to requests from elected officials, other city divisions, property owners, consultants, agencies, boards and the public. Prepares related reports and correspondence, as directed.
   

Key Qualifications:

Your application must describe your qualifications as they relate to:

1. Post-secondary education in urban and regional planning, urban geography, environmental studies, landscape architecture or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

2. Considerable experience with park and open space planning, recreation planning, land use planning, real estate, architecture, landscape architecture or urban design.

3. Considerable experience reviewing plans, surveys, and technical drawings

4. Strong writing skills for communication briefs, reports, memos.

5. Critical thinking and problem solving skills with acute attention to detail.

6. Ability to use various web and mapping applications to guide and present information

7. Experience with speaking at public consultation as a representative and acting as an effective liaison between stakeholders (e.g. elected officials, internal and external client groups).

8. Experience coordinating or managing multiple and diverse projects and working with a multi-disciplinary staff team.

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.

• Understanding of relevant legislation, policy requirements and master plans related to park and recreation planning and development, including the Planning Act, Official Plan, Municipal Code Chapter 415 Article III, Parkland Strategy and Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan.

• 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, both orally (e.g. presentations and team meetings) and in writing (e.g. staff reports, briefing notes), at a professional level with senior management, consultants, and staff from other divisions, other agencies, elected officials 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: All City of Toronto employees are required to be fully vaccinated as a condition of hire in accordance with the City's Mandatory Vaccination Policy.  Candidates will be required to show proof of vaccination during the recruitment process.
 

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.