Job Description

As a central hub in the Metro Vancouver area, the City of New Westminster delivers a broad spectrum of urban services to over 85,000 residents. New Westminster is rich in history with a viable and thriving economy and has a population representative of the diversity of the region. The City is staffed by talented and dedicated employees who work together to achieve its strategic vision. We have earned a proud reputation for civic leadership, service delivery, and outstanding employee relations.

There has never been a more exciting time to be a land use planner for the City of New Westminster. As a compact urban city, implementing land use policy comes with added opportunities and challenges. Land Use policy decisions need to evolve to support the development of a resilient and adaptive community. Equitable access to housing and community amenities for all is vital.

If you are hired, you will be joining a team of committed and passionate professionals who care deeply about the community they serve; who thrive on variety; and, who enjoy the challenge that comes with creating a complete and connected community. You will support the preparation of neighborhood plans, design guidelines and new land use policy.

Your responsibilities will include:
• Supporting the formulation, modification, and implementation of land use policy, practices, and regulations, including:
o collecting and analyzing data
o designing and facilitating community consultation
o liaising with other City departments
o drafting reports and making presentations to community groups, City committees and Council
o writing policy documents
o creating guides, web content and other related material.
• Liaising with internal and external contacts on matters related to your work on land use planning.
• Helping to ensure all land use policy and processes are consistent with Council’s strategic priorities and the City’s overall objectives, including those related to housing, community planning, economic development, climate action, equity, and reconciliation.
• Other related responsibilities as identified from time to time.

If you have the following characteristics and qualifications, we want to hear from you!
• Undergraduate degree in Planning or a related discipline plus sound, relevant professional experience in policy planning. An equivalent combination of education, training and experience as acceptable to the employer may be considered. A Master’s Degree in Planning would be an asset.
• Eligible for membership with the Canadian Institute of Planners is preferred.
• Knowledge of best practices in land use planning for complex urban areas, including considerations for growth, climate action, and equity.
• Knowledge of the practices, procedures, and legislation applicable to municipal planning.
• Knowledge of fields related to land use planning, such as housing, urban design, social planning, law, economics, and municipal finance.
• Experience in the timely development and implementation of effective land use or other related policy including housing and financial growth policies.
• Demonstrated ability to collect, analyze and interpret information from a variety of sources and present conclusions and recommendations in clear and accessible form.
• Experience in online and in-person community engagement facilitation and logistics, and public information material creation.
• Ability to express ideas effectively verbally, visually, and in writing to various audiences.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and effectively as a team member.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of internal and external contacts.
• Strong organizational skills, proven ability to problem solve, and the ability to manage multiple tasks and deliver results.
• Cultural awareness of Indigenous and diverse communities.
• Ability to work a flexible non-standard schedule from time to time as operationally required.