Senior Planner

Position Summary

This is a senior professional planning position that requires the individual to demonstrate and draw on expertise acquired from extensive, varied and progressively more responsible levels of professional planning experience.

This position will often take a lead role in the review of planning and development applications, development of planning strategies, statutory documents and municipal policy. The Senior Planner will also be expected to handle a wide range of duties related to all manner and size of projects, policies, applications and operations of each of the Planning sections.

The Senior Planner will work independently or in teams as the situation dictates. Presentations to Council, Boards and Committees are an integral component of the scope of duties. The Senior Planner will act as a resource person and mentor for Planners and other department employees.

The Senior Planner will be required to nurture and maintain a positive and collaborative relationship internally and externally on inter-municipal and regional planning matters to advance the interests of Rocky View County and the Calgary region.

• Support the County’s creation, review and revision of the County’s Municipal Development Plan and subordinate long‑range planning documents in accordance with Regional Growth Plan policies and Council direction.
• Review and assessment of complex planning applications and subdivision files, including Local Plans, minor Area Structure Plan amendments and Master Site Development Plans.
• Preparing, reviewing, updating and administering research, grant proposals, consultation processes, consultant contracts, research, and feasibility analyses.
• Manage assigned projects including the overseeing of planning work, technical and clerical support personnel involved in a project. However, supervision of employees is the responsibility of the Manager and Supervisor.
• Manages intermunicipal relationships where required on applications or projects, taking a collaborative and strategic approach to achieve successful outcomes.
• Manages and/or participates in complicated consultation processes, consultant contracts, including the preparation of Terms of Reference, and multi‑disciplinary teams/projects.
• Maintain professional affiliations and demonstrate a comprehensive current knowledge of applicable legislation, new trends and literature.
• Provide/promote municipal planning goals/objectives to landowners and applicants.
• Possess strong problem solving and consensus building skills.
• Make public presentations to various bodies, including Council, Appeal Boards, Committees and Public groups and organizations.
• Represent the County in a professional manner in public and landowner/applicant meetings.
• Attend Intermunicipal Committee Meetings and other external stakeholder meetings, as required.
• Prepare reports for, and present to, Council, senior management and other stakeholders on projects falling within responsibility of the Senior Planner.
• Act as a resource to Planning staff, internal departments, and the public on long‑range planning matters.
• Work in accordance with the requirements established by the RVC Health and Safety Program and the Alberta OHS Act, Regulation and Code.
• Take reasonable care to protect their health and safety and other persons at or in the vicinity of the worksite while they are working.
• Perform other related duties – as may be assigned by the Supervisor or Manager.

Completion of bachelor’s degree in planning or a related field with eligibility for RPP candidacy. A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in the planning field or Land Use certificate with 5 years Planning experience in Alberta. Alternate education criteria may be considered in combination with greater periods of relevant professional planning experience.

• Superior organizational, prioritizing, time management and complex problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and sound professional judgment in interactions with stakeholders, elected officials, and multidisciplinary teams.
• A successful track record related to facilitating, mediating and or negotiating in complex or otherwise difficult…