Urban planning, environmental & land use planning

Position: Planner
Employer: Town of Oakville
Location: Oakville, Halton Region, Ontario

Job Details: Full-Time (CUPE 1329)
Department: Planning and Development
Pay Range: $91,431 - $111,496
Position ID: 3815-003

Posting Status:

Current area of focus: 1 Environmental
This posting is open to current Town of Oakville employees and external applicants

Closing Date:

Applications for this position must be received at oakville.ca in the employment section by no later than 11:59 pm on May 8, 2025.

We offer:

• A hybrid work schedule
• A defined benefit pension plan (OMERS)
• Comprehensive health plan complemented by life and disability insurance
• A progressive work environment that promotes a work/life balance and strives to be a great place for great people to do great things

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Planning and Development, the Environmental Planner will be responsible for processing, evaluating and making recommendations on planning matters and development applications made under the Planning Act. which may include:

• Processing, evaluating and making recommendations on development proposals and applications.
• Undertaking planning work related to policy research, formulation, and implementation.
• Environmental planning duties, including technical review of development applications and advising on environmental-related matters.

Job Responsibilities:

• Working in a collaborative, professional team environment, interprets and provides advice on the Town’s Official Plan(s), Zoning By-law(s), the Planning Act, Ontario Heritage Act, Greenbelt and other planning related legislation.
• Works independently with minimal supervision, examining, analyzing and evaluating a wide range of development applications, including but not limited to plans of subdivision, plans of condominium, Official Plan and Zoning by-law amendments, site plan applications, and Committee of Adjustment applications. Ensures conformity with relevant legislation and resolves conflicts related to planning and development matters through negotiation and mediation.
• Reviews, evaluates and presents the town’s planning position through reports and studies before Town Council, including various committees, agencies, municipalities, ministries, Boards, Tribunals and the general public.
• Review and comment on environmental related matters for development applications and associated technical supporting reports such as environmental impact studies/assessments, environmental implementation reports, stormwater management reports, tree preservation plans, and restoration plans.
• Ensure conformity with the applicable natural heritage legislation, regulations, and policies for development applications subject to the Planning Act.
• Review and provide input on agency partner strategies and initiatives affecting Oakville’s Natural Heritage System.
• Review and comment on environmental assessment for capital work projects.
• Liaise with Conservation Authority partners on various matters, including coordination of development applications, town studies, and other related material.
• Undertakes background research and analysis on a broad range of topics, including environmental, land use, growth management, demographic, economic, and development related issues, as well as climate change, natural heritage, ecology, biology and water resource-related issues.
• Develops and facilitates public and stakeholder engagement of planning applications, projects and policy matters, including natural heritage planning. This involves supporting development related applications while also promoting public awareness and understanding of the natural environment.
• Provides assistance and advice to other planners on policy proposals and development applications.
  Works directly with consultants/peer reviewers on planning studies/reports/applications.
• Recommends and prepares amendments to the Oakville Official Plan(s) and Zoning By-law(s).
• Prepares, reviews and evaluates planning studies, policies, programs, and development applications and provides comments and recommendations to Council and various authorities.
• Establishes a coordinated position working with other departments and agencies on various planning matters, including the Planning District teams.
• Composes and delivers written and oral reports to municipal officials, the public, Committees and Council.
• Monitors, evaluates and responds to existing and emerging Provincial, Regional and other planning initiatives.
• Coordinates projects with Business Support Services staff and/or clerical staff.
• Provides assistance to persons inquiring about various planning matters.
• Provides expert planning opinion before the Ontario Land Tribunal and other tribunals.
• Performs other duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications/Skills:

• This position requires a university degree in urban planning or a related discipline such as geography, environmental studies/science, ecology and biology.
• Must have at least three years of relevant development, natural heritage and/or environmental planning experience in a land use planning context.
• Working knowledge of the Planning Act and other provincial legislation (i.e. Condominium Act, Municipal Act) and provincial policies.
• Ability to address complex planning applications which require the resolution of technical issues.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, ability to present complex issues to various audiences, with attention to detail.
• Ability to interpret and understand technical reports and drawings and review them against Provincial, Conservation Authority, and Town policies.
• Innovative and strong critical/strategic thinker.
• Ability to problem solve, negotiate and mediate.
• Ability to foster and sustain positive internal and external relationships.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to effectively manage multiple, conflicting, and shifting priorities and deadlines.
• Experience in providing expert planning/environmental testimony at the Ontario Land Tribunal.
• Membership in OPPI (or eligible for full membership); full membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners would be considered an asset.
• Must be flexible and capable of working extra hours and attend evening meetings.
• Must be able to supply their own personal vehicle for performing job duties and corporate business.

Additional preferred qualifications for a Planner with an environmental focus:

• Working knowledge of the Conservation Authorities Act, Environmental Assessment Act, Endangered Species Act, Species at Risk Act, and Fisheries Act.
• Strong working knowledge of natural heritage planning, ecological principles, construction methods, environmental impact assessments, and approaches to mitigation, monitoring and ecological restoration or rehabilitation.
• Certifications in Ecological Land Classification for Southern Ontario and Ontario Wetland Evaluation System are assets.
• Knowledge of fish, wildlife, and natural habitat monitoring and inventory techniques including equipment and tools, is considered an asset.
• Identification skills of native and invasive species in Ontario, including knowledge of federal and provincial species at risk, are an asset.
• Working knowledge of agriculture, forestry principles, trail management and climate change are assets.

DATED: April 16, 2025

This job profile reflects the general requirements necessary to perform the principal functions of the job. This does not include all of the work requirements of the job. Applicants are required to demonstrate through their application and in the interview process that their qualifications match those specified. The minimum threshold score for the interview is 75%.

APPLY

Apply here: Apply.

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

We thank all applicants and advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.