Planner, Development Planning and Permits

How you will contribute as part of the TRCA team:

Under the direction of the Associate Director/Senior Manager and reporting directly to the Senior Planner, the Planner is responsible for:

• Coordinate the review of primarily standard and minor planning and permit applications including Minor Variances, Consents, Site Plans, site-specific Zoning Amendments, and Official Plan Amendments. 
• Evaluate planning and permit applications, documents and studies and identify how they are affected by Authority regulations, policy and program interests.
• Liaise with and provide professional planning advice and recommend appropriate action to municipal partners and permit applicants with the assistance of the Senior Planner.
• Meet requested municipal deadlines, communicate anticipated delays and manage client expectations.
• Conduct site inspections to identify and assess site characteristics and constraints on development and undertake field stakings to delineate natural features.
• Open, track and organize digital files and administer the fee schedule (e.g., determine appropriate fee, process fee payments, ensure cheques are collected and processed).
• Provide ongoing guidance and mentoring of junior staff to ensure that the TRCA’s land use planning and development permit services are effectively and efficiently delivered.
• Under the guidance of the Senior Planner, assist Enforcement Officers with negotiations with proponents and technical experts to resolve permit compliance issues. 

What will you need to succeed:

• Completion of a post-secondary education in planning or a related discipline with a core focus on land use, regional, watershed, environmental planning or site design.
• Eligibility and working towards membership in Ontario Professional Planners Institute.
• Minimum of three (3) years municipal and/or environmental planning experience related to major responsibilities.
• Detailed knowledge of statutes and regulatory controls affecting land use planning and development, including the Conservation Authorities Act and regulations, TRCA Living City Policies, Planning Act, Provincial Policy Statement 2014, Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, Greenbelt, Places to Grow, etc.
• Understanding of the role of TRCA in the broader municipal and provincial planning context.
• Knowledge of Official Plan, Zoning, Subdivision, Condominium, Consent, Variance and other development review and Planning Act processes and implementing documents.
• Ability to understand site conditions and read and interpret construction plans and drawings (e.g., grading, topography, environmental features). 
• Excellent analytical and oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated negotiation skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a high paced, high volume, politically sensitive work environment.
• Demonstrated problem solving abilities using sound judgement with a solution-oriented approach.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and with a multi-disciplinary team.
• Working knowledge of computer software applications such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, ArcGIS, municipal application circulation software, and ability to learn new applicable software.
• Valid Ontario “G” driver’s license.