Junior Development Planner

Fort Erie bridges big city entrepreneurial opportunities with small-town charm and lifestyle. Quality of life is incomparable with its strong values, a dynamic work environment and easy access to modern amenities complemented by small-town ambience, warmth and welcome. Along with an array of historical sites, natural beauty and beaches, recreational trails, excellent fishing, birding and cycling, and a gateway to Buffalo via the Peace Bridge, Fort Erie has so much to offer!

The Town of Fort Erie is a diverse and welcoming community.  Come join our team of dedicated, professional and committed co-workers and put your mark on something that is exciting and rewarding.  We are recruiting people who share our values of teamwork, respect, honesty and commitment.  Our mission is to lead and serve Fort Erie by pursuing opportunities, leveraging partnerships and managing our resources to achieve prosperity.

The Junior Development Planner processes development applications, prepares planning documents and provides planning information to municipal staff, Council, developers, stakeholders and the public. In addition, they will support long-range and policy planning activities as required.

The ideal candidate will have a University Degree in Planning or related field with two (2) to three (3) years experience in a similar role. They will be a member or eligible for membership with Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) and/or Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP). They will have applied, technical knowledge of the development process including applicable/related planning legislation/regulations, provincial and regional guidelines and policies. They will also have technical knowledge in the public notification/consultation process and built/cultural heritage resources. Furthermore, the ideal candidate will demonstrate skills in research and analytics, organization, networking, communication, and customer service.

Compensation includes an annual salary of $78,345 - $94,014 (2024 salary range, salary is currently under review), and includes a comprehensive health, benefit and pension package.

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 Community for Everyone

The deadline for receiving applications is 12:00 NOON local time on Friday, April 4, 2025. For more information and to apply for this position please visit www.forterie.ca.

The Town of Fort Erie is an equal opportunity employer. Accommodation is available to candidates upon request. We thank all applicants for their interest, only those advancing through the recruitment process will be contacted.  Personal information is collected under the Municipal Act, 2001 to determine employment suitability.

Department:          Planning and Development Services

Division:                Development Approvals

Reports to:            Manager of Development Approvals

Position Objective

Process development applications, prepare planning documents and provide planning information to municipal staff, Council, developers, stakeholders and the public; support long-range and policy planning activities as required.

Duties & Responsibilities

1. Contribute to a wide range of minor development applications such as Zoning By-law amendments, Official Plan amendments, plans of subdivision, plans of condominium, deeming by-laws, part lot control, site plans, consents and minor variances; prepare associated reports, by-laws and comments.
2. Ensure proper circulation and publication of applications in accordance with legislated notice requirements; consult with internal departments, external agencies, stakeholders and the public; coordinate/attend open houses and public meetings.
3. Assist with research and preparation of special studies related to land development matters including but not limited to; the review and implementation of Provincial Policy Statements; review of the Zoning By-law; review of the development process, site plans and subdivision design.
4. Act as liaison between Planning and Development Services and other internal departments, developers, external agencies, stakeholders and the public on development applications and land use projects; contribute to preparation of/prepare correspondence for the Supervisor, Manager and Director.
5. Respond to enquiries from internal departments, the public and stakeholders; interpret, apply and explain the Zoning By-law, Official Plan and other land use planning policies;
6. Provide expert planning evidence at Ontario Land Tribunal hearings.
7. Coordinate the work of the various Committees and other committees/working groups as assigned.
8. Coordinate the pre-consultation process.
9. Assist with the storage and retrieval of electronic planning data.
10. Make presentations on Planning matters at Council and committee.

Education & Experience

• University Degree in Planning or related field 
• Two (2) to three (3) years’ experience in a similar role
• Membership or eligibility for membership with Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) and/or Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP)

Knowledge

• Applied, technical knowledge of applicable/related planning legislation/regulations, provincial and regional guidelines and policies and local by-laws
• Applied, technical knowledge of MS Office, digital imaging, database and presentation software applications
• Applied, technical knowledge of the development process
• Technical knowledge of public notification/consultation process
• Technical knowledge of built/cultural heritage resources
• Knowledge of local government 
• Knowledge of routine office procedures, practices and equipment
• Knowledge of customer service 
• Knowledge of project management
• General knowledge of Natural Heritage and its impact on development

Skills & Ability

• Understand, interpret and remain appraised of changing legislative and regulatory requirements
• Research and analytical skills
• Organizational skills
• Collaboration and networking skills
• Effective communication skills (verbal, written, listening, presentation, public speaking)
• Accept direction and complete tasks as assigned with limited supervision 
• Ability to work independently and in a team setting
• Sound decision-making ability
• Conceptual thinking and creativity
• Concern for quality and standards
• Initiative
• Customer focus
• Time Management Skills

Supervision

N/A

Work Demands

• Makes specialized decisions
• Undertake a number of assignments simultaneously
• Complete projects within municipal and provincial timeframes
• Ingenuity or creativity applied on a routine basis
• Work with confidential information
• Moderate direct supervision
• Requires considerable attention, sometimes for a long duration
• Regular contact across departments and outside the organization; conducts meetings in person with public and stakeholders; some contact with politicians
• Evening meetings as necessary
• Typical office environment; occasional outdoor work
• Errors in judgment or interpretation may result in increased cost, inconvenience, inefficiencies, failure to meet Corporate goals

Position History 

The position was approved in February 2020 as part of the 2020 Operating Budget. 

This Job Description was reviewed and revised prior to a NU compensation review October 2023.