Planner I - Park Board

The City of Vancouver is seeking a Planner I for the Park Board to contribute to major projects, strategic planning, and policy initiatives related to parks and recreation. Responsibilities include investigating issues, conducting research, preparing reports, and coordinating with various stakeholders. Candidates should have a degree in planning or a related field and at least two years of relevant experience. This position requires attendance at meetings, including evenings and weekends.
Requisition ID:
46439
Organization
Vancouver is consistently ranked as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Recognized among BC’s Top Employers and Canada’s Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver is seeking colleagues who can help advance our core commitments to exceptional public service, sustainability, equity, and an outstanding quality of life for all residents.
With a strong commitment to being a City of Reconciliation, we invite you to join our dedicated team and become part of an innovative, inclusive, and engaging workplace. A career with the City of Vancouver and within the broader public service, offers meaningful work where you play a key role in ensuring equitable access to services, upholding ethical governance, and supporting the needs of citizens with integrity and dedication.


Main Purpose and Function
This position contributes to the development and coordination of major projects, strategic planning efforts, policy initiatives, comprehensive plans or master plans that guide the overall development and delivery of the City’s parks, recreation and natural systems.


Specific Duties/Responsibilities

Investigates problems and identifies issues, assists in the development study and strategy processes, conducts research and surveys, analyzes results, evaluates studies, and writes reports summarizing moderately complex issues and assists in formulating policies and recommendations and preparing reports for presentation to senior management and the Park Board.
Works with Planner II and/or Planner III on complex projects including organizing and developing project terms of reference, scope and requests for proposals, oversees consultant teams and supervises professional, technical, and clerical staff engaged on project and administers budget.
Ensures the integration of recreation and parks interests, strategies, priorities and policies in the development of community plans, official development plans, large-site redevelopments, rezonings, development permits and other city-wide planning initiatives
Under supervision of Planner II and/or Planner III, designs and conducts consultation with the public, stakeholders and other departments and agencies on matters related to assignments and answers enquiries from the public
Represents parks and recreation interests at various cross-departmental staff technical teams, working groups and internal and external committees.
Attends Park Board, City Council and staff meetings as required, and other civic and outside meetings to represent the department and make presentations and answer questions. (including weekday evenings and weekends).
Coordinates project communication channels internally and externally (web, written etc.)
Other duties/responsibilities as assigned

Minimum Position Requirements
Education and Experience:

A degree in planning or a related field such as landscape architecture, and a preferred minimum of two years professional experience in the municipal parks and recreation planning or planning field, some supervisory experience preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience with work in interdisciplinary project teams, facilitation, evaluating proposals, communicating complex ideas and making sound recommendations.
Experience assisting in the development of a range of engagement processes to include a broad range of public and stakeholder groups.
Desirable: eligibility for membership in the British Columbia Society of Landscape Architects or the Canadian Institute of Planners.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Considerable knowledge of park planning, landscape architecture, urban planning; policy development; municipal parks and recreation trends; municipal planning and development processes; municipal capital development processes; and environmental planning and urban sustainability initiatives.
Good knowledge of planning and social research methodologies, and of community recreation resources and programs.
Ability to achieve multiple program objectives within defined timelines, work on complex projects, budgets and consultant teams effectively
Ability to communicate ideas effectively, both orally and in writing including excellent report writing skills.
Ability to perform moderately complex technical research and prepare reports independently.
Ability to supervise technical staff.
Ability to communicate ideas and make recommendations on park and recreation.
Ability to work effectively within the Park Board and with City officials and other interested groups including citizen groups.

Business Unit/Department
: Board of Pa