Job Description

CITY OF COLWOOD

JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE: SENIOR PLANNER

DEPARTMENT: DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

POSITION TYPE: FULL-TIME PERMANENT UNION POSITION

PAY GRADE: PAY GRADE 19

LAST UPDATED: NOVEMBER 2022 NATURE AND SCOPE OF WORK**

Reporting to the Director of Development Services, this is a senior professional role for an experienced planner working within a strong team of land use professionals. The position requires advanced land use planning and subdivision experience of significant complexity and variety, a high degree of independence, leadership and inter-departmental collaboration.

The Senior Planner is expected to advise Council from time to time, is responsible for assisting with corporate functions related to planning and land use and related matters and is responsible for assisting the Director in the coordination of subdivision activities. This position requires a significant level of strategic thinking and the ability to consistently make sound judgement on decisions that may have significant consequence for the City and larger community.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

as it relates to OCP amendment, rezoning and subdivision. May be required to support additional

Development Variance Permit and other.

proposals for compliance with regulatory requirements by reviewing for conformance with the bylaws, regulations and policies of the City.

• Reviews and processes subdivisions under the Land Title Act and Strata Property Act for residential,

commercial, and industrial developments. Prepare Preliminary Layout Assessments (PLA) and

• Liaises with internal departments and external agencies and provides support in connection with

subdivision approvals.

• Meet with residents, developers, solicitors, and legal surveyors and provides consistent and proactive

customer service.

• Works collaboratively within the Development Services team and with all City departments to

achieve current planning objectives and the strategic initiatives of the City. SENIOR PLANNER - DEVELOPMENT SERVICES | Updated November 2022

• Coordinates and participates in a cross-departmental Development Review Committee team and

liaises with other internal and external departments and agencies including elected officials, applicants, First Nations, agencies, stakeholders, and the public.

• Reviews, processes, and facilitates legal documents including Development Agreements.
• Where necessary, prepares reports and recommendations for Committee and Council.
• Provides professional planning advice to Council, other staff, external agencies, and advisory

committees and attends Committee and Council meetings including presentation to Council and Public Hearings, as required.

• Provides leadership to and some functional supervision of other planning staff through coaching,

resolving interpretation matters, and providing guidance on day-to-day procedural and operational issues.

• Responds to land use services inquiries from the public and developers regarding interpreting relaying

subdivision requirements and other general planning related questions.

• Liaises with the Engineering department and Building department throughout development approval

process to ensure interdepartmental tracking of development projects and smooth transitions

building permit stages as necessary.

• May be required to perform technical and administrative work in the department, including counter

and telephone inquiries.

• Conduct field visits, as required.
• Other duties and responsibilities, as required by the Manager.
• In the event of a local emergency when the City of Colwood activates its Emergency Operation

Centre and after ensuring the safety of family and property, reports to the Emergency Operation Centre if/as required and assists with the implementation of the Emergency Plan. MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• A university degree (Masters is preferred) from a recognized institution in a related field (urban

planning, geography, environmental science, architecture, engineering).

• Minimum 7 years of professional experience in a local government setting in British Columbia,

preferably in a role that supported the Approving Officer function; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

• Certified Member (RPP) is preferred or eligibility for membership with the Canadian Institute of

Planners and Planning Institute of British Columbia.

• Completion of the MATI Statutory Approving Officer Course is considered an asset.
• A valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License is an asset.

SENIOR PLANNER - DEVELOPMENT SERVICES | Updated November 2022

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Extensive knowledge and experience in land use planning principles and practices.
• Working knowledge of the _Community Charter _and the _Local Government Act _as they relate to
• planning and development and the Land Title Act and Strata Property Act as they relate to subdivision.- High at