JOB SUMMARY

Parks and Facilities Planning conducts engineering design reviews and processes various development applications related to the planning, design and development of new and existing City parks, open spaces, community recreation and cultural facilities in urban, suburban and rural areas.

You are responsible to lead or undertake a wide variety of assigned complex planning services and capital projects relating to the design, construction and/or revitalization of the City’s parks, open spaces, and recreation and cultural facilities.

At the Planner 2 level, these projects or services exhibit one or all of the following characteristics: 

• require resolution of multiple technical and policy issues, and public and private interests;
• require the involvement of multiple stakeholder groups including unorganized and organized public and private interest groups, other government agencies (provincial and federal), other professionals (e.g. architects, landscape architects, engineers), and politicians; and/or
• are politically sensitive, high profile and/or significant in terms of impact relative to the natural, built, social, and/or economic environments, and in terms of achieving orderly design and development of the City.

You also: participate in the development of Departmental parks, recreation, open space and cultural facility policies that are incorporated within the City’s Official Plan, Master Plan, and Zoning By-law; conduct research and analysis; manage projects done by consultants; functionally supervise assigned junior staff and summer/co-op students; and represent the City, department or branch at various internal and external meetings, committees, etc., relating to the design, construction and/or revitalization of recreational/cultural facilities, parks, and open spaces.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Completion of 4 year university degree in urban and regional planning, leisure studies, landscape architecture or other relevant field.

Minimum of 5 years of related and progressively responsible, professional experience in parks planning, including 2 years of experience in managing capital budget projects.

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENCES

KNOWLEDGE

• Applicable legislation, policies, guidelines  and processes, for example: the Planning Act, the Municipal Act, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the Environmental Assessment Act, the Environmental Protection Act, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, the Ontario Water Resources Act, the Conservation Authorities Act, the Heritage Act, the City’s Official Plan and Master Plans (including the City’s Community Open Space and Recreation Master Plan), Zoning By-Law, and related policies, the City’s Development Approvals process,  environmental management systems, and the Ontario Recreation Facilities Association’s Guidelines for Recreation Facilities
• Global, national and local initiatives, standards, agreements and agencies relating to the branch and departmental mandates (e.g. the Canadian Standards Association)
• Municipal planning principles and practices
• Theories, concepts, methodologies, principles and/or practices relating to the design, construction and revitalization of recreation and cultural facilities, public parks and open spaces
• Public consultation practices
• Project management principles and practices, including those applied in capital project management of new facility construction
• Available computer technology and tools related to the branch/departmental mandate
• Knowledge of applicable health and safety legislation, including the rights and duties of workers

COMPETENCIES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Work effectively as a leader and team member within a multi-disciplinary and technical environment
• Monitor and synthesize information from a variety of sources to establish future directions, research and data collection needs, trends, program elements and resources
• Financial forecasting and budget administration/management
• Understand technological tools available to assist in efficient and cost-effective program delivery
• Understand, initiate and conduct assignments with minimal supervision
• Negotiate with representatives from other departments and outside agencies to identify and achieve common objectives through joint initiatives and contributions 
• Establish and deliver effective public consultation processes
• Communicate effectively (in writing and orally) with elected officials, City staff, external agencies, private sector, members of the public and others
• Make effective and persuasive presentations
• Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to influence others and work effectively with people representing a wide range of interests
• Commitment to service excellence
• Exceptional problem solving skills
• Positive, inclusive approach to project development and implementation
• Ability to deal with multiple demands and shifting priorities
• Client focused
• Results-oriented