Sustainability Planning, Climate Action

Position: Sustainability Planning Program Coordinator
Employer/Municipality: Grey County
Location: Owen Sound, Ontario / Hybrid

Join us and help make a difference! At Grey County we work together to deliver essential public services that meet the needs of our communities. Grey County isn't just a great place to live; its also a great place to work!

We are proud to offer competitive wages and an attractive total compensation package. We support learning and continuous employee development, and champion career progression for our employees. We value work-life balance, so you can make the most of your career at Grey County, while making the most of your life in Grey County!

Apply now to join our team!

This is a two year contract with a hybrid work environment.

Applicants are invited to submit their cover letter and resume by the deadline of June 23, 2025 at 11:59pm

Purpose

The Sustainability Planning Program Coordinator (supporting the Future Ready program) will join the Climate Action Initiatives Team in the CAO’s Office to lead the finalization and implementation of the Future Ready Program for the participating municipalities of Dufferin, Grey, and Wellington Counties subject to approval of the program for those municipalities.

Initially the Coordinator will work with the participating municipalities and their Planning and Building teams, and the development and construction industry to finalize an implementation plan for the Future Ready Program. Once the Future Ready Program is approved for a participating municipality, the Coordinator will be the main point of contact in the development review process to ensure alignment of submissions with the Program, as required. The Coordinator will also work to develop capacity across the local municipalities and regional development and construction industry through education and outreach to support the success of the Future Ready program.

Responsibilities

Development of Future Ready Program

• Establish and implement a work plan for implementing a harmonized Future Ready Program including education, community and industry engagement, consultant coordination, budgeting, reporting to municipal councils, and post-decision implementation using project management best practices.
• Work with our industry, utility, education, and municipal partners to advance and implement the Future Ready Program for the participating municipalities.
• Explore options to implement incentive and recognition programs for the Future Ready Program.
• Addresses inquiries from residents, applicants, developers, staff and Council related to the Future Ready Program, and climate change related initiatives/program.
• Stay current with municipal, provincial, and federal regulations relating to community energy, green development standards, and land use planning to inform the implementation of the Future Ready Program.
• Oversees data collection and research activities that involve careful and critical analysis and strategic thinking.

Collaborative Partnerships

• Build strong relationships with local municipalities, industry, sustainability organizations, local secondary and post-secondary institutions, to promote implementation of Future Ready Program and best practices in community sustainability and energy.
• Develop capacity across the regional development and construction industry through education and outreach to support the success of the Future Ready Program.
• Develop relationships and encourage the adoption of higher performance levels in the Future Ready Program.
• Prepare and deliver presentations on the Future Ready Program at a range of events, committees, and meetings, as required.
• Develop resources and partnerships to effectively integrate energy considerations into planning processes.

Development Application Review Support

• Support the review of all applicable pre-submission consultation and development applications for alignment with the Future Ready Program, as requested by the supporting municipality, once in effect.
• Work with municipal partners to support the incorporation of energy reports on development application projects, as requested by the supporting municipality.
• Work closely with Planning and Building Departments of the participating Counties and municipalities to ensure alignment on interpretation and comments for development applications;

Policy Development and Implementation

• Evaluate and comment on proposed changes to policy or legislation, and identify implications for local implementation through Future Ready Program updates.
• Develop briefing notes on new technology, legislative changes and best practices, recommend updates to the Future Ready Program in order to achieve the goals of Climate Action Plans, and support sustainable development, as requested by a participating municipality.
• Prepare staff reports and public presentations for Council and Committees, as requested by a participating municipality.
• Identify issues, and provide thoughtful critical analysis, and examine input from various technical, policy, and scientific sources, and all stakeholders, to provide advice to Committees, Council, Senior Management, County and Municipal staff, agencies, and the general public.

Other Duties

• Prepare program reports for management and Council and participate in committees as assigned.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by the Manager of Climate Change Initiatives.
• Comply with Provincial and County occupational health and safety legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Working Conditions

Usual hours of work are thirty-five (35) per week, Monday to Friday. Flexibility in working hours and overtime will be required to deal with the demands of the position, such as evening meetings that are convened for the public and committees’ convenience, plus normal operational and statutory deadlines, and peak periods.

Occasional off-site meetings are required; A vehicle is required for travel throughout the County, region, and southwestern Ontario.

Contacts

Internal (County of Grey) Working Relationships

Discuss plans, priorities and receive general policy direction from the Manager and other senior staff outside the Climate Change Initiatives team in the CAO’s Office. Collaborate with staff and/or department heads in other County Departments (e.g. Planning, Economic Development, Legal, Clerks, etc.). Prepare and present reports to Committee of the Whole or associated task forces.

External Working Relationships

Staff and Council of member municipalities, neighbouring counties/municipalities, in particular those of the participating municipalities, as well as local Developers and Contractors, Provincial Ministries, Conservation Authorities, secondary and post-secondary institutions, and business associations, solicitors, consultants, special interest or user groups, businesses, and the general public, as required.

Knowledge and Skill

• Excellent listening and relationship building skills.
• Political acuity and media relations skills.
• Four (4) year University degree in Environmental Science/Studies, Planning, Engineering or a combination of education and experience deemed equivalent.
• Possess a minimum of three (3) years working knowledge of the development planning and approvals process.
• Three (3) years’ experience in environmental management, sustainability, policy planning, and/or community-based climate change mitigation and adaptation.
• Full membership or eligibility for full membership with the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (O.P.P.I.)/ Canadian Institute of Planners (C.I.P.) would be considered an asset as applicable.
• Strong knowledge and demonstrated implementation of legislative requirements under the Planning Act and policy framework under the Provincial Planning Statement, and Greenbelt Plan.
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written; necessary for public presentations and appearing before meetings of Council and Committees; experience with social media.
• Strong organizational and project management skills to manage a complex project with multiple stakeholders; Proven ability to work independently.
• General knowledge of public policy, practices and current issues affecting local government with a broad understanding of the two-tier municipal governments.
• Working knowledge of solar, wind and geothermal energy systems, greenhouse gas and carbon measurement concepts, electric vehicle charging units and other green energy concepts.
• Familiarity with GHG/energy modelling approaches for buildings, and/or a Certified Energy Manager credential would be considered an asset.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products; experience with Adobe Suite, Canva and other visual communications software considered an asset.
• Registered Professional Planner (RPP) or in process of obtaining RPP designation would be considered an asset, as applicable.
• Experience in submitting, reviewing, or processing planning applications would be considered an asset.
• A valid G class Driver’s License with access to a reliable vehicle to use for corporate business.

Impact of Error

Judgement errors could cause potential harm to the public image through failure to exercise diplomacy when dealing with the public or government officials. Errors in judgement, miscommunication and breach of confidentiality would result in unfavourable relations between staff, council, and the public and a loss of trust in the County’s Climate Change Action Plan. A misinterpretation of County policies or provincial guidelines could directly impact public safety, the natural environment, or lead to potential appeals to provincial tribunals.

Technical errors could lead to higher legal and administration or materials costs. Errors in judgement or data interpretation may place the County in a position of liability from a financial and environmental perspective.

APPLY

Apply here: Careers | Sustainability Planning Program Coordinator

Grey County is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and promotes a culture of respect where all team members are valued for their unique talents, knowledge and lived experiences.

Accommodations are available for all parts of the recruitment process. Applicants are encouraged to outline accommodation needs when submitting their application. If alternate methods of application are required, candidates can email careers@grey.ca

While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Any personal information submitted will be managed in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and will be used only to determine eligibility for employment.

Based on the nature of the position, pre-employment screening may be required including but not limited to; Criminal Record Searches, Financial Credit Inquiries; Educational and Credential Verification; Driver’s Abstracts; Drug/Alcohol Testing; Pre-Medical Testing and Investigative Employment References.

Job Details

• Pay Type: Hourly
• Hiring Min Rate: 43.6 CAD
• Hiring Max Rate: 50.03 CAD

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