Development Planner

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Department: Community Planning
Reports to: Manager of Development Planning
Effective Date: October 26, 2001
Positions Supervised: 0
Revised Date: August 2025

POSITION SUMMARY:

Supports County and Area Municipal development review function, including the coordination, review, and processing of all development applications made under the Planning Act and Condominium Act. May also assist with land use policy development, including project managing certain related initiatives at the Area Municipal level (e.g. secondary planning), as required. Prepares and presents planning reports and recommendations to County and Area Municipal Councils.

Additionally, provides professional planning expertise to, and acts as a liaison between, the County and local municipalities with respect to Provincial and County land use planning policies, goals and objectives. Responds to development planning inquiries and conducts pre-consultations for all forms of planning applications.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Acts as a strategic partner within assigned Area Municipalities to the CAO and/or Council with respect to a full range of land use planning matters and related considerations (e.g. financial/economic, environment, social, legal, strategic, political etc.) and project managing various multi-disciplinary area municipal land use planning related projects, as required.
Provides expert planning advice and direction to the County and Area Municipalities (i.e. Councils, Committees, and staff) and a broad range of external stakeholders, with respect to all aspects of development planning (including major and/or complex development initiatives) and applicable planning legislation, policies, by-laws, guidelines, and processes.
Prepares and presents professional planning evidence and opinions at court proceedings, the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), and other administrative tribunal hearings in relation to planning policies and regulations.
Assist with consultant led project work. Prepare study outlines, arrange for expressions of interest and proposal calls, recommend consultant selection, act as the primary contact for the project, participate in Technical Advisory Committees, and oversee the completion of project deliverables, including the oversight of the project budget.
With support from applicable parties, designs and conducts research projects to evaluate issues relating to a variety of matters to ensure that County and Area Municipal policies, by-laws, guidelines, procedures, and processes related to planning and development are current and effective. This may involve project management, data analysis (both spatial – GIS and non-spatial); report writing and public consultation.
Coordinates and participates in public consultation meetings and public engagement strategies, pertaining to planning policy and/or development matters and present various planning initiatives to interest groups, stakeholders, and the public.
Ensure that new growth and development is consistent with the goals and objectives of the County and Area Municipalities and ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of all planning related services provided to the area municipalities by the Community Planning Office.
Support the County’s programs and services by promoting and supporting the County’s Strategic Plan, Future Oxford Community Sustainability Plan, best practices, internal policies and applicable legislation to meet service excellence standards and uphold Oxford’s vision, mission and values.
Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Post-secondary education in Land Use Planning, Geography or related field.
Registered Professional Planner, or eligible for full membership, with the Ontario Professional Planners Institute and Canadian Institute of Planning.
Demonstrated land use planning experience in a municipal environment is preferred.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Highly developed research and analytical skills and report writing capability.
Excellent organizational, communication, interpersonal, negotiation and presentation skills.
Demonstrated knowledge of Ontario Land Tribunal policies, practices, and decisions.
Ability to work effectively within a team environment and independently.
Ability to interact harmoniously and diplomatically with the public, development industry representatives and elected officials.
Knowledge of and experience using Microsoft Office and Geographic Information System software or applications.
Valid Ontario driver’s license and the ability to travel as required.

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESS:

Ability to demonstrate the required core and leadership competencies for this position in alignment with Oxford County’s competency framework.
Core competencies include teamwork, communication, innovation, service excellence, accountability and integrity, and inclusivity.
Leadership competencies include strategic thinking, leading people, achieving results, project/process management, and fostering change

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Works in an office environment.
Sitting for extended periods of time.
Attends public meetings and open houses, outside of standard office hours, as required.
Occasional to regular travel to other offices throughout the County.