Career Center

AREA PLANNING MANAGER

SUMMARY OF DUTIES

Reporting to the Manager of Development Planning, the position will provide leadership to subordinate staff in a multi-disciplinary team consisting of Planners, Natural Heritage Planners, Cultural Heritage Planners and Urban Designers. Manages the day-to-day activities of the team. Responsible for tasks related to all development reviews required to facilitate the City’s growth and redevelopment.

Accountable for ensuring that development planning review activities are delivered in accordance with City Procedures and Policies and Provincial Legislation and in a cost effective, efficient and timely manner using a “best practices” approach.

Aid in the preparation of sectional reports identifying how the operation performed against established benchmarks related to services, financial, administration and staff performance.

Leads by example, functions as a mentor to subordinate staff, provides coaching to optimize staff performance and develops staff to their full potential.

GENERAL DUTIES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO)

Manages the day-to-day responsibilities for the development planning review elements of the Development team, ensuring that the needs of the residents and businesses of the City of Hamilton are met and regularly exceeded and that these elements are delivered in a timely and cost-effective manner in accordance with City procedures and policies and Provincial guidelines and legislation.

Participates in multi-disciplinary teams comprised of staff from Planning and Economic Development (PED), other City Departments and outside agencies in order to address development, redevelopment and environmental protection issues.

Responsible for leading a team on capital projects and the associated budget.

Manages, mentors, performance manages and provides creative leadership and direction to subordinate staff. 

Promotes teamwork and integration between internal and external parties participating in cross-functional and cross program initiatives.

Approves planning agreements in accordance with the City’s Financial Policies for Development.

Assume lead accountability and responsibility for evaluating planning merits of Committee of Adjustment, Niagara Escarpment Commission, Part Lot Control and Formal Consultation applications.

Reviews development applications to ensure compliance with City Official Plan, Zoning By-law, and Master Plan documentation, City policies, Planning Act and Ontario Heritage Act requirements and provides or seeks clarification on any issues related to same. As such, the SPM is expected to have a detailed understanding of Provincial and City legislation, policies and regulations and their applicability to development applications.

Assesses the appropriateness of development applications, in context of the appropriate Provincial and local legislation and regulation and reviews the work of staff to ensure good planning practice.

Assume lead accountability and responsibility for Formal Consultation applications including making final decisions on requirements to be met in order to have application deemed complete and accepted by the City.

Responsible for Heritage Permits and the preparation and implementation of any associated correspondence and Council reports.

Evaluate planning merits of applications; incorporate planning and municipal goals, objectives and make recommendations on proposed developments for action by Council.

Negotiate Planning Division requirements and conditions to settle disputes and policy interpretations.

Identify and evaluate alternatives; formulate conclusions; prepare and present recommendations to Committee.

Co-ordinate, prepare and present evidence as expert witness at Quasi-Judicial Hearings eg. LPAT/OMB.

Assist in the preparation of the annual work programme.

Represent the department and make presentations at Council meetings, special purpose committees and meetings such as public meetings, client and interdepartmental meetings.

Conduct site visits to identify and assess present and future conditions relating to development proposals.

Co-ordinate and liaise with other departments, external agencies, Ministries, Conservation Authorities and stakeholder groups in the preparation of any development approvals and Council reports.

Participate on various Corporate committees as required.

Receive and answer inquiries of a technical nature from Council, public, staff, other departments, municipal and government agencies.

Write Council reports, compose correspondence related to major responsibilities.

Direct, supervise, educate and train subordinate staff (Senior Planner, Planner I, Planner II, Planning Technician, Cultural Heritage Planner, Natural Heritage Planner, Urban Design Planners and students) and support staff.

Develop policies and procedures related to major responsibilities.

Understand and Implement legislative changes to the planning process.

Work in accordance with the provisions of applicable Health and Safety legislation and all City of Hamilton corporate and departmental policies and procedures related to Occupational Health and Safety.

Perform other duties as assigned which are directly related to the major responsibilities of the job.

QUALIFICATIONS

A Degree in Urban and Regional Planning or a related discipline with a minimum of eight years of progressively responsible planning experience in land use development review and implementation with several years directly related professional planning experience in Development Planning.

Extensive knowledge and experience in real estate transactions and land use planning.

Must be a Registered Professional Planner.

Extensive knowledge of good land use planning principles as they relate to elements in the development field.

Extensive knowledge of Natural and Cultural Heritage and Urban Design planning principles.

Expert knowledge and understanding of the Provincial Planning legislation and regulations, including the Planning Act and Heritage Act processes, gained thorough practical experience.

Possesses a demonstrated record of technical competence, team advocacy, customer focus, staff delegation and empowerment.  In addition, the Senior Project Manager will have a responsibility for investigating and recommending innovative/creative procedures and policies for improving the section’s technical performance.

Knowledge of the Integrated Master Planning principles and process and environmental planning.

Highly developed ability to articulate a vision to lead and inspire others.

Highly effective leadership, facilitation, communication, presentation, interpersonal and organizational skills.

Demonstrated ability to effectively manage a multi-disciplinary staff in a results oriented, predominantly unionized environment.

Experienced in creating and delivering customer focused programs and services, as well as identify and implement opportunities for process improvements.

Ability to deal effectively with elected officials, representatives of other levels of government, management, peers, staff and the general public.

Ability to negotiate agreements of a controversial and complex nature.

General knowledge and understanding of other statutes, regulations and by-laws affecting the department/section.

Knowledge of collective bargaining process.

Highly skilled in relevant computer software applications.

About City of Hamilton

Contribute to the City of Hamilton, one of Canada’s largest cities - home to a diverse and strong economy, an active and inclusive community, a robust cultural and dining scene, hundreds of kilometres of hiking trails and natural beauty just minutes from the downtown core, and so much more. Join our diverse team of talented and ambitious staff who embody our values of sensational service, courageous change, steadfast integrity, collective ownership and being engaged empowered employees. Help us achieve our vision of being the best place to raise a child and age successfully.

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