Senior Planner

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Department: Community Planning
Reports to: Director of Community Planning
Effective Date: July 2015
Positions Supervised:
Revised Date: 2021

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reviews and authorizes, as required, public notices and planning reports prepared by Development Planners relating to minor variance, zoning amendment and site plan approval applications for all area municipalities.
Supports County and Area Municipal development review function, including the coordination, review and processing of development applications made under the Planning Act and Condominium Act, and assists with land use policy development, as required. Prepares and presents planning reports and recommendations to County and Area Municipal Councils.
Provides professional land use planning expertise to, and acts as a liaison between the County and Area Municipal Councils and staff, development industry representatives, public agencies, and the public with respect to Provincial and County land use policies, goals and objectives. As required, attends Area Municipal Council and Land Division Committee meetings to present reports and answer questions relating to land use planning matters.
Provides a mentoring role to Development Planners by providing knowledgeable and strategic advice to assist Development Planners to develop their core & professional competencies.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Provides expert, professional advice and recommendations on all aspects of development planning to the area municipalities, County of Oxford, and associated committees, public agencies, and development industry proponents.
Assists the Director with oversight of the development planning process for minor variance, zoning by-law amendment and site plan approval applications and special development planning projects for all area municipalities.
Answers inquiries and provides Planning information and expert advice to elected officials, municipal staff, developers and their agents, review agencies, media representatives and the public. Assists with providing training, mentoring and advice to the Development Planners, on various planning related matters.
Responsible for review, and authorizes all public notices for minor variance, zoning by-law amendment and site plan approval applications for all area municipalities. May review planning reports for minor variance, zoning by-law amendment and site plan applications, as required.
As required, may attend Council meetings, Land Division Committee meetings, function as a member of Senior Management Teams within Area Municipalities, and act as Approval Authority for site plan development applications.
Prepares and presents expert testimony for court proceedings and at the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal and other administrative tribunal hearings. Assists the Development Planners in preparation of documented evidence for LPAT hearings pertaining to development applications. Assists in the training and instruction of Development Planners with respect to delivering expert evidence before the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal. Acts as principal point of contact with legal counsel and the LPAT for the purpose of hearing preparation.
Maintains all paper and digital files on planning applications and ensures all legislated time frames and processing requirements are met. May be required to maintain regular schedule of updates to the planning application tracking system.
Determines priorities for work flow and establishes efficient administrative procedures, in conjunction with senior managerial staff.
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 review and oversight of program budgets.
Leads special planning projects related to development planning and/or policy development under the direction of the Manager of Planning Policy and/or the Director of Community Planning, including working with other departments to ensure that County and Area Municipal policies, by-laws, guidelines, procedures and processes related to planning and development are current and effective.
Represents the County and the Planning Office on various committees and external bodies.
Designs and conducts research projects to evaluate issues relating to a variety of matters, including land use planning, social, cultural and economic development, housing, demography, environment and resource management, under supervision of the Manager of Planning Policy and/or Director.
Monitors emerging legislation, provincial consultation opportunities to identify opportunities for the County to advocate for its position to effect positive change.
Coordinates response of Area municipality and other County departments to inquiries and tasks related to development agreements, subdivision and condominium registration (i.e. registration of easements, clearance letters, road widening blocks, park blocks, and registration of agreements).
Supports 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.
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.
Provides mentoring role to Development Planners within Department.
Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR SUCCESS

University degree in Urban and/or Regional Planning, Geography or a combination of related education and experience.
Registered Professional Planner, or eligible for full membership in Canadian Institute of Planning and the Ontario Professional Planners Institute.
Minimum 5 years of Land Use Planning and project management experience, together with demonstrated exposure to all processes legislated under the Planning Act, and other related legislation and ability to demonstrate the required competencies for this position in alignment with Oxford County’s competency framework.
Demonstrated ability to meet tight deadlines, while managing multiple projects with varying degrees of complexity.
Demonstrated experience with Local Planning Appeal Tribunal policies, practices, and decisions.
Excellent organizational, communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office software as well as basic Geographic Information System software or applications.
Valid Ontario driver’s license required and the ability to travel as required to fulfil job responsibilities.

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESS

Professional
Leader

WORKING CONDITIONS

Works in an office environment