Principal Planner - Halifax, Canada - Halifax Regional Municipality

Halifax Regional Municipality

Verified Company

Halifax, Canada

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Sophia Lee

beBee Recruiter

Description

Job Posting

This Principal Planner position is for the Rural Policy and Application team who reports to the Manager of Urban and Rural Planning Applications. The Principal Planner is a senior professional who supervises and directs a team of professional staff and assignments. The Principal Planner may lead or participate in highly complex planning assignments or departmental projects based on business unit or corporate strategic priorities.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supervises and directs a team of professional staff and assignments and provides technical assistance and information to staff and the public on complex and sensitive professional planning assignments
Acts as liaison between citizens, government agencies, developers and elected officials
Prepares and presents detailed reports and recommendations on planning matters to staff, Boards, Committees and Council and serves as liaison to such committees
Conducts field evaluations and assessments
Acts as witness in legal proceedings as necessary and provides expert advice at the Utility and Review Board and in Court
Provides input into business unit positions and policies in response to strategic and sensitive issues relating to community and regional planning and development issues
Represents the business unit or the municipality on various planningrelated issues and advises senior management, Committees and Council of same
Maintains and fosters relationships with other HRM business units, external stakeholders, and community groups, and provides professional planning assistance to communities and community groups on various land use projects
Designs and facilitates internal or customerfocused strategic planning, training, education and consultation processes as required
Directs and/or prepares and presents reports, contract documents, terms of reference, request for proposals, policies and procedures, correspondence and briefs for senior management, Committees and Council on various planningrelated matters
Directs and/or leads the development of, in partnership with stakeholders, policy options, analysis and reports on complex planning issues for the business unit and/or the municipality
Makes decisions, administers and enforces land use bylaws, development agreements and the subdivision bylaw when appointed as a Development Officer by Council pursuant to the Halifax Charter
Provides leadership in the development and maintenance of a positive working environment and promotes professional behavior of staff in relationships with clients
Develops staff through delegation, coaching, mentoring and training by arranging formal training, work assignments and other experiences
Monitors and evaluates staff performance and makes effective recommendations with respect to training needs, corrective and disciplinary action; brings all related performance issues forward to the Manager
Serves as witness and fully participates in grievance meetings, workplace rights investigations and other labour relations meetings, as required
Resolves conflicts resulting from business unit activities (i.e., interpretive and procedural disputes with client, noncompliance, etc.)

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

A Master's degree in Community Planning or equivalent, from a university planning program recognized or accredited by the Professional Standards Board for Planning in Canada is preferred, with a minimum of six (6) years of related and progressive experience in a professional planning environment in an urban or regional municipality.
An undergraduate degree from a similarly accredited university planning program may also be considered, with a minimum of eight (8) years of related and progressive experience in a professional planning environment in an urban or regional municipality.
A Licensed Professional Planner as per the NS Professional Planners Act is required.
Fully competent in all aspects of the Planner I, II and III positions
Supervisory experience will be considered an asset.
Specific knowledge and experience with planning matters in the rural areas of HRM will be considered an asset.

Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities:

Advanced knowledge of the philosophies, principals, practices & techniques of planning including crossfunctional knowledge involving other disciplines, knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision, training and personnel management.
Demonstrated skills in project management, facilitation, conflict resolution and negotiation, conducting presentations, communicating, influencing, and leading group discussions. Ability to manage projects effectively and meet firm deadlines.
Superior written and verbal communications skills with the ability to effectively present ideas and recommendations that involve complex and politically sensitive issues to management, decisionmaking bodies, committees, applicants and citizens while adhering to the intent o