The Town of Cobourg is currently recruiting a Principal Planner with a focus on development review. Reporting to the Manager of Planning (Development Review), the Principal Planner functions as an assistant manager and senior land use planning professional, while managing all aspects of the Committee of Adjustment to ensure compliance with the Ontario Planning Act. The Principal Planner will supervise, mentor, and support a team of professional staff with a core emphasis on reviewing planning applications, administering complex and advanced planning activities, and serving as project manager for complex development applications. The Principal Planner is responsible for the delivery of planning, development review and related projects per Provincial Policy including the Planning Act, Provincial Policy Statements, Ontario Heritage Act, and other relevant legislation.
The Principal Planner will provide advanced development planning review assistance to staff, external agencies, members of Council, landowners development industry consultants and the public, and will actively participate in recruitment, management, training, development, performance management and discipline of Development Planners (Intermediate, I and II).
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Developing work programs and participating in the review and development of policies and procedures.
Leading, supervising, administering, and coordinating development review activities following the strategic direction, goals and objectives, and policies of the Town, under the direction of the Manager of Planning - Development Review.
Ensuring processes are followed and customer service standards are met when staff respond to residents, elected officials and community groups.
Recruitment, training and development, performance management, disciplinary action, and other human resource matters relating to managing development review staff.
Leading the implementation of overall strategy of the Planning & Development Division.
Designing professional development plans and continuous learning and performance reviews for development review planners (Intermediate, I and II).
Providing day-to-day leadership and supervision of junior planning staff in the Planning Department.
Drafting, controlling and monitoring the Committee of Adjustment budget.
Determining and collecting appropriate letters of credit, performance guarantees/securities and payments for the orderly development of lands within the Town during the negotiation and implementation of development agreements.
Assisting the Manager in practicing sound, practical management of financial resources for the Department, including the effective oversight and implementation of financial policies and procedures, monitoring, and reporting of expenditures.
Working in collaboration, as part of the section’s management team, to prepare sectional inputs into the development of annual capital and operating budgets and forecasts.
Acting as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Committee of Adjustment ensuring all aspects of the committee from intake to completion are meeting the provisions of the Planning Act.
Assigning, reviewing, overseeing and approving Committee of Adjustment files.
Assisting the Manager of Development Review in administering and overseeing aspects of the Planning Department, as it relates to the processing, review and approval of development applications under the Planning Act including Official Plan Amendments, Zoning By-law Amendments, Committee of Adjustment, Subdivision Review, Site Plan Control, processing and monitoring of development and permit applications submitted under the Planning Act, assigning work to Planning Department staff and providing supervision and guidance required.
Reviewing and presenting recommendations and planning opinions on complex development applications to the Manager, Director, Advisory Committees, Committee of Adjustment, Development Review Team, and Council.
Representing the Department/Municipality at a senior level by participating in discussions and negotiations with developers, consultants, agencies and the public; attending Committee and Council meetings to provide professional planning advice; and participating in inter- and intra-departmental committees and external committees.
Reviewing and providing recommendations and planning opinions to the Manager of Planning – Long Range Planning on existing and proposed policy and legislative documents, including Provincial policies/regulations and local Official Plans.
Providing support, training, mentorship and oversight to Development Review Planners, responding to and providing direction to Development Review staff regarding public written, digital and verbal inquiries relating to development applications and general planning information.
Preparing and attending the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), other quasi-judicial tribunals, and Court Hearings as a witness on behalf of the Corporation, as required.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
University degree in Planning with disciplines relevant to land use, development and community planning.
Professional designation of Registered Professional Planner (RPP).
4+ years of professional and technical experience processing complex development applications.
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, including experience with report-writing, presentation/facilitation, and problem-solving.
Highly developed sense of discretion, judgment, and political acumen to deal with sensitive and confidential issues.
Well-developed planning and organizational skills.
Excellent working knowledge of software application systems including Microsoft Office. Knowledge and experience with Geographic Information Systems would be an asset.
Strong leader, team player and effective relationship builder with municipal Council, staff, stakeholders, and the public. Mentorship/supervisory/management experience in municipal land use and development would be considered an asset.
Knowledge and experience in land use planning, policy formulation and analysis, demographics, growth management, urban and landscape design, sustainability, cultural heritage, planning law, project and strategic management, and development industry best practices.
Thorough knowledge of the Municipal Act, Planning Act, Provincial Plans and Policies, Official/Secondary Plans and Zoning By-laws.
ACCOMMODATION
In accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection Privacy Act, the information gathered is collected pursuant to the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended. The Town of Cobourg is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes. If contacted for an employment opportunity, please advise if you require accommodation.
HOW TO APPLY
To express interest in this exciting opportunity, email your cover letter and resume to:
Patrick Rowan, Partner, Feldman Daxon Partners
45 St. Clair Avenue West, Suite 700, Toronto, ON M4V 1K9
Feldman Daxon Partners is Canada’s longest-standing national provider of executive search, career transition, and coaching/leadership development services. For over 30 years, we have been at the forefront of innovation in human resources consulting by integrating these three services. Our Executive Search practice has been locating top talent for senior executive and managerial positions on a retainer-fee basis since our firm was founded in 1991. Our unwavering set of core values and dedication to client service has allowed us to build and maintain relationships with hundreds of clients in every market sector, and across Canada. Regular communication, high-quality candidate shortlists, industry knowledge, judgment, and expediency in our retainer search services are all reasons Canada’s leading companies choose to partner with the professionals at Feldman Daxon.
Cobourg is known for its prime location on the lakeshore between Toronto and Kingston. It’s a short drive from urban centres where, in a spacious, small-town setting, you can enjoy unique architectural landmarks and great shopping, dining, galleries and theatre, a spectacular white sand beach, and a beautiful waterfront. The Town of Cobourg is a great community to build a career, fostering a culture of collaboration and teamwork and providing many opportunities for their employees to learn, develop and thrive. The Town of Cobourg values diversity in their workforce and focuses on attracting and retaining staff who can work together to meet the needs of their great community.