Manager, Policy and Community Planning

The Town of Fort Erie is a diverse, welcoming community that is growing. Come join our team and put your mark on something that is exciting, rewarding and challenging. We are recruiting people who share our values of teamwork, respect, honesty and commitment. You'll be joining a team of dedicated, professional and committed co-workers, willing to go the extra mile. Our mission is to lead and serve Fort Erie by pursuing opportunities, leveraging partnerships and managing our resources to achieve growth. The bar is set high, but we will help you reach it!

The Manager, Policy and Community Planning will lead and manage the Community Planning Division. Responsible for all aspects of community planning and long-range planning policy, incentive programs, heritage and brownfield planning, and the design, development, and implementation of passive and active parks and open spaces. 

The ideal candidate will have university degree in Planning, with a Master’s Degree in Planning being preferred. They will have a minimum of five (5) years of experience in a similar position and will be a full member in good standing with the Ontario Professional Planners Institute and the Canadian Institute of Planners (OPPI). They will also have a membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP). The ideal candidate will have Applied, technical knowledge of community planning, development, and urban design. They will also have technical knowledge of leadership/supervisory principles and practices, project management issues, consultant and construction contract supervision, procurement, RFP, and tender procedures.

Compensation includes an annual salary of $114,033 – $136,840, comprehensive health and wellness benefits package and a hybrid work environment.

If you are looking for an opportunity to learn and grow and promote positive change in a friendly, safe environment, we'd love to hear from you!

Fort Erie...a welcoming, prosperous connected

community of choice

The deadline for receiving applications is 12:00 NOON local time on Thursday, June 15, 2023. For more information and to apply for this position please click here.

Only applicants chosen for interviews will be contacted. Personal information is collected pursuant the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended to determine eligibility for employment. The Town of Fort Erie is an equal opportunity employer and accommodation is available to candidates upon request.

Department:             Planning and Development Services

Division:                  Planning and Development

Reports to:               Director, Planning and Development Services

Position Objective

To lead and manage the Community Planning Division. Responsible for all aspects of community planning and long-range planning policy, incentive programs, heritage and brownfield planning, and the design, development, and implementation of passive and active parks and open spaces.

Duties & Responsibilities

1.    Leading and managing the preparation of strategic planning studies, official plan updates, secondary plans, population projection, housing needs, and special policy projects to guide the Town’s long-term development including parks and open space acquisition and development.

2.   Provide professional planning opinion to Council, working groups/committees, developers, consultants, and the public regarding long-range planning, secondary plans, landscape architecture, beautification, open space operation, maintenance, signage, and associated matters; represent Town in relations with external agencies.

3.   Prepare and coordinate input to the Niagara Region and Province on various policy reviews, policy changes, and legislative amendments.

4.   Oversee research on complex planning issues, prepare and/or review a wide range of reports and correspondence on planning matters; ensure accuracy and completeness.

5.    Responsible for preparing and providing expert planning opinion at tribunals including the Local Planning Appeals Tribunal and courts. Attending review meetings with legal counsel to provide background information on litigations, attending prehearing and settlement discussions, and providing advice to legal counsel during hearings.

6.    Prepare/administer sectional budget; prepare/administer funding/grant applications participate on Grant Oversight   Committee; discuss capital planning with the Director.

7.    Manage/ coordinate the review/commenting on development proposals, including pre-consultation applications   site plan applications, plans of subdivision, severance and minor variance submissions.

8.    Manage the preparation, development, implementation, and administration of capital park projects and programs,   including but not limited to defining scope; conceptual and detail design, including structural and non-structural   components; prepare, issue, receive and evaluate Requests for Proposal and tenders; perform project management and contract administration.

9.   Conduct cultural, physical, and environmental site assessments; conduct/oversee all related field investigations and  research; consult with community stakeholders; coordinate/conduct public meetings, open houses, and workshops to solicit input, and answer questions and concerns regarding capital projects and community programs

10. Provide leadership, support, and direction to the Community Planning team on land use policy, heritage, brownfield, and park planning.

11. Supervision of staff to ensure efficient/ effective organization and distribution of work, staff performance reviews and participate in the selection of planning staff. 

12. Share Director responsibilities with the Manager, Development Approvals in the Director’s absence to ensure coordination/completion of projects.

Education & Experience

- A university degree in Planning, a Master’s Degree in Planning is preferred.

- Full member in good standing with the Ontario Professional Planners Institute and the Canadian Institute of Planners (OPPI). Membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP).

- A minimum of five (5) years of experience in a similar position.

Knowledge

- Applied, technical knowledge of community planning, development, and urban design

- Technical knowledge of leadership/supervisory principles and practices.

- Technical knowledge of project management issues

- Technical knowledge of consultant and construction contract supervision

- Technical knowledge of procurement, RFP, and tender procedures

- Technical knowledge of computers and software applications, including MS Office, AutoCAD, and GIS, 

- Technical knowledge of applicable legislation, statutes, and regulations

- General knowledge of customer service

- General knowledge of routine office procedures, practices, and equipment

- General knowledge of local government or public sector organization

Skills & Ability

- Well-developed written and verbal communications skills

-  Analytical skills

- Financial management/budgeting skills

- Project management and construction administration skills

- Proven conceptual design ability

- Ability to anticipate and solve problems

- Ability to build and lead teams, motivate 

- Ability to build and maintain relationships, mediate and negotiate

- Adapt to change, continue to learn and practice new skills

Supervision

Senior Community Planner, Intermediate Community Planner, Junior Community Planner, Landscape Architect, Senior Environmental Planner, Senior Project Manager - Policy, and Planning Intern. Co-ordinates or directs work/activities of contractors/consultants, working groups, volunteers and students.

Work Demands

- Works within limits defined by objectives; moderate supervision of work processes

- Target completion dates range from one (1) day to three (3) years

- Typical office environment; sitting/standing; occasional field work; some degree of coordination to perform computer aided design

- Frequent contact with general public, stakeholders requiring discussion/explanation and influence

- Evening and week-end work associated with public meetings/consultations

- Work is in specialized field; errors could result in costly re-work

Position History

This position was created as a result of a restructuring in December 2004 and includes the duties of the former Waterfront and Special Projects Coordinator. It was formerly the Manager, Parks and Open Space Development. It was renamed and modified in 2016 as recommended in an organizational review. The position was renamed and reclassified in 2017 as a result of the reorganization of this department. The position was further updated and reclassified in April 2023.

This Job Description was reviewed in July 2017 for AODA compliance and organizational changes and reporting.

This position was reviewed and updated in May 2023, prior to filling this vacancy.