POSITION SUMMARY
Reporting to the Manager, Planning, the Planning Program Supervisor – Growth Policy & Analysis will lead the preparation of regional growth policies, coordinate the review of Settlement Area Boundary Expansion(s), guide the creation of short and long-term growth monitoring/analysis programs in collaboration with internal and external partners. Work within this position will be inter-related with demographic, economic, and land use-related policy, research, and data analytics to inform the future growth of the County and its municipalities. The Program Supervisor will be responsible for tasks related to all processing, reviewing and provision of professional opinion on settlement area boundary expansions and initiatives relating to employment lands. Duties will involve identifying and implementing innovative approaches to address emerging issues and/or accelerate the successful delivery of priority projects, including growth management policy projects, settlement area boundary expansion (SABE) proposals, County Official Plan reviews/amendments, strategic policy studies, and growth data analysis. An exceptional project manager and emerging leader, the Program Supervisor will provide direction and counsel on strategic policy matters and development projects with the department, partners, and stakeholders.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (not listed in order of priority)
1. Assume a key role in the coordination of the preparation of long-range plans, policies, and special projects to guide the future growth of the County and its partner municipalities including growth management policy projects, settlement area boundary expansion (SABE) proposals, County Official Plan reviews/amendments, strategic policy studies, and growth data analysis.
2. Supervise the development of population and employment forecasts and provide forecasting models and data sets for inclusion in master plans used by other departments, and ensuring work aligns with corporate priorities.
3. Lead the development and maintenance of data collection systems and initiatives for planning and monitoring in the Division, including research, planning, evaluation, and reporting activities.
4. Maintain current knowledge of emerging planning trends and issues with a key focus on growth management, and work with key partners to innovatively address strategic initiatives for policy improvements and operational efficiencies.
5. Act as project manager for growth-related planning matters and/or projects requiring inter-departmental teams and/or consultants. Work as project manager will include a variety of tasks ranging from preparation of project scope of work, project planning, and project execution.
6. Assist the Manager of Planning with the planning review of applications impacting growth management and SABE matters, ensuring that the processing, review and formulation of recommendations are delivered in a timely and efficient manner in accordance with County procedures and policies and Provincial guidelines and legislation.
7. Provide leadership to subordinate staff and/or consultants in a multi-disciplinary team that shall be responsible for tasks related to growth-related projects as well as processing, reviewing and providing professional opinions on SABE applications. Provides direction to County Planners on regional growth polices and/or growth management.
8. Interact with stakeholders, applicants, and government representatives relate to SABE proposals, as required, including the preparation and implementation of any associated correspondence and Council reports.
9. Supervise and respond to data and information requests from Council, the public, academics, area municipalities, consultants, media, and other County staff.
10. Facilitation of public consultation and internal input into long-range plans and special projects.
11. Provide a point of contact to local area municipal planners, consultants, development industry and the general public on growth management policy matters, growth supply data, and assistance on interpretation and implementation.
12. Prepare material for and act as witness at the Ontario Land Tribunal hearings; including organizing witness statements and exhibits, consult with lawyer to prepare case, serve as witness to present information and to explain and interpret County policy.
13. Prepare research and information documents on planning matters, including Official Plan performance indicators and studies.
14. Prepare reports and attend Council, Council/Committee, public hearings, community and other public meetings as required; prepare and facilitate presentations regarding provincial and municipal land-use planning policy and new or pending legislation and regulatory guidelines.
15. Other duties as assigned, including redeployment in emergency situations.
16. Comply with provincial and County occupational health and safety legislation, regulations, policies and procedures.
17. Maintain confidentiality in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
CORPORATE COMPETENCIES
Has knowledge of and demonstrated ability in our corporate competencies:
• Acts with the Customer in Mind
• Ensures Accountability
• Continuously Seeks to Improve Work Processes
• Collaborates
• Communicates with Impact
• Is Resilient
EDUCATION, TECHNICAL SKILLS AND CERTIFICATION
• University degree in Urban and Regional Planning. This job may be considered for educational equivalency in accordance with County Policy.
• Full membership in the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI).
• Membership as a Professional Land Economist (PLE) would be an asset.
• PMP certification would be an asset.
• Knowledge of provincial legislation, policies, and regulations under the Planning Act and related legislation.
• Thorough understanding of the provincial planning framework to interpret and apply growth management policies in the creation of monitoring programs, and provide advice on the application of growth management policies.
• Knowledge of GIS, project management, analytic modelling, forecasting, land use planning, statistical analysis, and database development and management.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills to understand and apply strategic thinking to analyze planning, political, and economic factors/trends, and interpret legislation, regulations, policies, and data to determine methods/approaches to be used in decision-making, while ensuring quality control.
• Excellent time and project management skills.
• Demonstrated ability in implementing/interpreting planning policy in a complex framework.
• Refined ability to develop innovative approaches to address current and emerging issues.
• Proven experience and success managing priority planning projects and/or development applications
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and facility with report writing and presentation preparation and delivery.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze the inter-relationships of a wide variety of land use planning considerations to reach conclusions and make recommendations regarding a planning application.
• Ability to organize workload for others and to coordinate the processing of several planning applications and related matters within specific time deadlines.
• Ability to interact effectively with personnel at all levels of the organization and with personnel at Ontario government agencies, other municipalities, and private development industry.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and to use independent judgment where warranted.
• Demonstrated ability to work with Windows, word processing, spreadsheets, data bases, and graphics.
• Able to handle confidential information discreetly.
• Class G Driver’s License in good standing and reliable vehicle to use on corporate business.
• Criminal records check that is less than 6 months old at time of hire.
EXPERIENCE
• Seven (7) years recent related experience in a relevant municipal planning environment.
• Supervisory experience.
• Familiarity within a unionized environment.
EFFORT
• Ability to weigh conflicting demands of applicants/landowners and their agents, provincial and municipal staff, and others within strict timelines.
• Ability to work with numerous interruptions in a busy office environment.
• Listening and mental attentiveness in dealing with contacts, political bodies.
• Concentration while preparing analysis and recommendations on complex planning matters, while providing interpretation to and answering questions for political decision making bodies, and serving as witness at the Ontario Land Tribunal.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The working conditions generally include:
Ability to work remotely if required.
Site visits in all seasons.
Sitting for extended periods of time.
Occasional stressful contact with applicants and others.
The position requires occasional attendance at meetings with municipal councils, public meetings, or developers outside of the normal office working hours of 8:30am to 4:30pm.
