Requisition ID: 39350
Organization
Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable cities and is working towards being the greenest city in the world. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, decolonization, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.
Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.
Main Purpose and Function
This is a senior professional position reporting to the Manager of Strategic Initiatives that coordinates and oversees the city-wide planning staff team responsible for service planning for parks and recreation facilities. The senior planner is responsible for acting as the key Park Board point-of-contact supporting the renewal, renovation, and design of existing and new facilities executed by Real Estate, Environment, and Facilities Management (REFM) staff.
The Planner III defines service functional needs, which inform space needs in facilities, providing the basis for current and long-term facility planning and asset management; develops and prioritizes projects for inclusion in capital planning and budgeting; and develops and updates strategies and policies as they relate to emerging priorities, trends, land-use, and demographic changes.
Specific Duties & Responsibilities
- Acts as the main contact for Park Board coordinating service planning and facility-related planning, design, and renewal, as well as capital planning, both current and long-range;
- Acts as the key interface with REFM, ensuring Park Board interests are represented and addressed during the planning and execution of Capital work;
- Prioritizes a broad array of building-related capital maintenance and renewal requests based on asset conditions, service needs, and policy;
- Provides input on behalf of Park Board on physical master planning, site planning, feasibility options that test land use and built form regarding Park Board facilities;
- Develops strategic plans and policy responding to trends, emerging needs, population growth, and demographics guiding the overall development and delivery of the City’s parks and recreation facilities; prepares needs assessments;
- Prepares written reports and provides presentations to Park Board Leadership Team, Corporate Management, Park Board, City Council, other governments and agencies and represents the Park Board to outside agencies;
- Supervises, develops, and manages work programs of a staff team including collecting data, scoping and conceptualizing plan and project work, planning and implementing multi-layered public engagement processes, and managing consultants;
- Manages ongoing process improvement, including issues management, as it relates to REFM or partner projects; and,
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
- A post-secondary degree is required; preferred in planning, architecture or a related discipline recognized by the Canadian Institute of Planners, the Architectural Institute of British Columbia, or a related professional organization.
- Considerable professional and supervisory experience in the planning field, or an equivalent combination of post-secondary education and experience.
- Experience in recreation facilities planning is an asset.
- Experience successfully leading a team working on complex projects including hiring, mentoring, and performance management.
- Experience managing complex and controversial planning and policy projects is preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Ability to lead and participate on teams involving diverse interest groups using facilitation, negotiation, conflict resolution, and interest-based mediation skills required to successfully collaborate on solutions;
- Ability to advance complex and controversial projects and policy in a multi-stakeholder environment;
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including supervising and mentoring of staff;
- Skilled at clearly articulating complex issues to a variety of audiences and decision-makers;
- Project management skills, including exercising initiative and sound judgment in delegating and managing workload and documenting and communicating project execution;
- Thorough knowledge of parks and community recreation and leisure service facility planning, policy and management;
- Thorough knowledge of planning, design, and operation of park and recreation buildings and facilities
- Understanding of asset management principles;
- Knowledge of current trends in parks and recreation facility provision and design; municipal planning and development processes; capital development delivery processes; developing and applying urban planning principles for urban and park site optimization; and
- Familiarity, knowledge, and commitment to advancing Reconciliation.
Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work remotely 1 – 4 days a week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite. At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.
The City’s COVID-19 vaccination policy is currently suspended and as a result, vaccination against COVID-19 is not required at this time. However, should circumstances change and the City deem it necessary to re-introduce such policy, you may be required to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be eligible to continue performing your duties.
Business Unit/Department: Board of Parks & Recreation (1400)
Affiliation: CUPE 15 Parks
Employment Type: Regular Full Time
Position Start Date: November, 2023
Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-034: $58.74 to $69.48 per hour
Application Close: September 24, 2023
At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Before you click Apply now
Once you start your application you can save your work and leave the applications page, however please remember to submit your profile to the specific job requisition before the posting closing date.
In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx. 5-10 minutes. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a summary of skills and experience related to the position.
