Senior Environmental Planner - Planning & Development (202647

Reporting to the Director of Planning Policy and the Director of Development Review, this position will be responsible for the review and evaluation of environmental and natural heritage related studies and reports submitted in support of development applications or prepared in support of long-range planning studies.

The Senior Environmental Planner will also provide professional environmental and natural heritage systems input and advice to Town staff on development applications and long-range planning matters such as Secondary Plans and Special Studies. This position will be responsible for the project management, coordination and administration of municipally initiated environmental or natural heritage systems/features projects and strategies including those of a complex nature.

• Manage or undertake the review and evaluation of environmental and natural heritage related studies and reports submitted in support of development applications or prepared in support of long-range planning studies, such as Subwatershed Studies, Subwatershed Impact Studies, Environmental Impact Reports and Environmental Impact Assessments
• Manage the activities of consultants carrying out work or completing peer reviews of environmental or natural heritage materials
• Undertake background research and analysis related to environmental, natural heritage, ecological, biological and water-resource related land-use issues
• Provide professional environmental and natural heritage systems input and advice to Town staff on development applications filed under the Planning Act, including attending the Development Review Committee in this capacity, and reviews and provides professional environmental and natural heritage systems input and advice on long range planning matters such as Secondary Plans and Special Studies
• Function as the primary point of contact for environmental and natural heritage systems/features matters at the Town
• Prepare or review and comments on Terms of Reference for environmental and natural heritage related studies
• Prepare detailed reports to Council on environmental, natural heritage systems and land use planning matters, and attends Council meetings to present/explain these reports including formal presentations
• Responsible for the project management, coordination and administration of municipally initiated environmental or natural heritage systems projects and strategies including those of a complex nature
• Liaise with Conservation Authority partners on various matters including co-ordination of review of development applications, Town studies, and other related materials
• Hold and facilitate meetings to engage the public on environmental, natural heritage systems and land use planning matters
• Conduct site inspections to evaluate development proposal conditions
• Attend on-site, off-site and evening meetings to represent the Town as required, including on inter-agency committees
• Attend Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) hearings and other hearings conducted under Provincial legislation on behalf of the Town, providing oral and written evidence, and defending the same under cross-examination
• Engage a diverse range of public and private customers in the effective and efficient response to phone, e-mail and front counter inquiries related to environmental, natural heritage systems and land use planning matters
• Complete Special Projects assigned by the Director of Development Review and/or Director of Planning Policy including contributing to and leading ongoing continuous improvement initiatives that establish and maintain the Town as a leader in effective and efficient delivery of planning services
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned

• Four-Year University Degree in Environmental Planning/Science/Studies, Urban & Regional Planning or a related field, with a Master's in Environmental Planning, Sciences or Studies considered an asset.
• Ten years of environmental and land use planning experience, with a preference for municipal experience preferred.
• Membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners and O.P.P.I as a Registered Professional Planner (RPP)
• Ability to thoroughly and critically review and evaluate environmental and natural heritage related studies and reports to ensure the recommendations of those documents conform to Provincial, Regional, Town and Conservation Authority policy and regulations and protect the public interest
• Ability to formulate/develop sound environmental and natural heritage systems policy, regulation and positions to guide Council decision-making and that is defensible at the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) and other Boards and Committees
• In-depth understanding of Provincial, Regional, Town and Conservation Authority planning regime and development review processes, including the Planning Act, Conservation Authorities Act, Environmental Assessment Act, Provincial Policy Statement, Greenbelt Plan, Niagara Escarpment Plan and other environmental and natural heritage legislation, plans and policies
• Working…