Richardson Executive Search
Senior Planner Chestermere, Alberta
THE OPPORTUNITY
We have an excellent opportunity for a Senior Planner to join the City of Chestermere, AB. This is a progressive municipality that is growing and transforming rapidly and prides itself on innovation and continual improvement.
As a member of the Community Growth & Infrastructure Team, the Senior Planner provides professional expertise regarding current development, long-range planning, and project work in support of the City’s overall operations and growth. This includes, but is not limited to, analyzing, conducting, and coordinating current operations projects, reviewing development proposals, applications, and planning documents against appropriate principles, regulations, and policies; participating in inter-municipal planning processes; implementation and continuous improvement of the City’s statutory planning framework; and providing planning advice to staff, developers, the general public and Council.
THE MUNICIPALITY
The City of Chestermere is located east of Calgary in the province of Alberta, within Rocky View County. With a population of approximately 20,732, and its large park and entertainment zone which includes a golf club, a large recreation center, and facilities for boating, Chestermere provides an inviting lifestyle in a beautiful setting that has made the City of Chestermere a welcoming and growing place in which to live, work and play.
For more information visit their website at: www.chestermere.ca.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide professional, municipal, and business expertise and advice in the implementation and continuous improvement of:
- Review and processing of planning applications, including statutory and non-statutory planning documents, bylaw amendments, Subdivision and Development Permit applications, and rezoning requests.
- Participates in the preparation of Area Structure Plans as required.
- Addresses public inquiries as required, including formal complaints.
- Attends meetings and delivers presentations and support as required, including Council, Committee of the Whole, and Public Hearings.
- Facilitates meetings with developers and community groups to discuss new development proposals and planning projects.
- Works with the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board (CMRB) and on other intermunicipal projects to support regional collaboration in planning.
- Supports continuous improvement of the City’s statutory planning framework.
- Provides planning advice to staff, developers and the general public regarding legislative changes, legal matters, and new developments.
- Provides options for Senior Management, and Council regarding legislative changes, legal matters and new developments in the planning field which may influence the execution of sound planning, municipal governance, or service delivery.
- Provides support and mentorship to the Planning Team, providing feedback on significant applications and projects.
- Participates in sensitive negotiations of contracts and agreements with service providers and partners.
- Provides technical support to Leadership on sensitive issues.
- Represents Planning internally as a subject matter expert and champion of capacity building and excellence in planning current operations.
- Maintains confidentiality and security of information related to the City; uses confidential information appropriately and responsibly.
- Demonstrates City values: A-C-T-I-V-E (Accountable, Connected, Transparent, Inclusive, Viable, Ethical).
- Ensures a safe and healthy work environment for staff, visitors, the community, and stakeholders, e.g., participates in workplace safety initiatives, participates in formal and informal worksite safety and environment inspections and audits, ensures compliance with the City’s Health and Safety Management System, reports and assists in the analysis of near misses or incidents.
- Participates as a member of the Chestermere Emergency Response team in preparing and enabling the community to respond in the event of a local or regional disaster
QUALIFICATIONS
- University Degree in Planning or a related discipline.
- 6 years of progressively responsible experience related to the real estate industry, including land development in a municipal environment.
- Eligible for full membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners (MCIP) and/or Alberta Professional Planners Institute (APPI); Registered Planning Professional Designation (RPP).
- Valid Class 5 Alberta Driver’s License and Drive’s Abstract deemed satisfactory by the City.
- Criminal Record Check deemed satisfactory by the City.
KEY COMPETENCIES
- Strategic, analytical, and creative thinking skills; ability to solve problems, make decisions, negotiate, and deal effectively with people in difficult situations.
- Comprehensive knowledge of governance issues, e.g., policy development and interpretation.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal; ability to maintain ongoing communication to anticipate and prevent potential problems, develop, and maintain positive and effective working relationships with Council, staff, the public and other stakeholders.
- Proven leadership and workflow coordination capability; ability to motivate staff towards constant improvement and encourage staff to make recommendations.
- Ability to act as an advocate, balancing the needs of staff and stakeholders with the needs of the City.
- Business acumen, including basic budget management skills, grant or contract management skills; ability to make effective decisions that are well-informed and reflect the input gathered from stakeholders.
- Strong work ethic and highly motivated; ability to work in a fast-paced environment and respond to action requests and competing deadlines in a timely matter.
- Proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
SANDY JACOBSON | T: 780.944.1327 | E: Sandy.jacobson@richardsonsearch.ca | www.richardsonsearch.ca