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 92,000 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.

The City of New Westminster is seeking an experienced Planner 1 – Tenant Assistance Planner, to help develop and implement the City’s new Tenant Assistance Policy. This is an exciting opportunity to engage directly with tenants, building managers, property owners, and developers to inform them of the policy, to support compliance, and to develop tenant assistance plans as part of the development process. This position will also inform preventative strategies related to homelessness and assist with housing, land use and social planning functions of the Planning and Development Department. Reporting to the Manager of Social Planning, you will be part of an innovative and progressive team of social planners that are seen as municipal leaders in their field.

You will have a strong understanding of planning legislation, policies and practices, particularly related to housing and tenancy considerations, and preferably have experience at the municipal level. You will also have experience in working with people who face multiple barriers, and who may require additional attention and support as part of meeting their diverse needs. You will be able to work independently and with minimal supervision. You will also be extremely comfortable in collaborating and engaging with a variety of City departments, and external bodies, including non-profit and provincial organizations and teams. You will possess exceptional organizational skills, and be able to fully document interactions, issues and decisions made. Based on your work in implementing the Tenant Assistance Policy, you will share suggestions to enhance the effectiveness of the policy.

Duties and key work activities include:
• Supporting the development of the Tenant Assistance Policy.
• Implementing the policy, and suggesting refinements based on its implementation to enhance its effectiveness.
• Engaging directly with tenants, building managers, property owners, and developers to support compliance with the policy.
• Engaging directly with tenants to provide referrals to non-profit and provincial organizations and teams, including related to advocacy, budgeting, financial assistance and other supports.
• Developing tenant assistance plans as part of the development process.
• Working closely with other City departments and divisions, including Bylaw Services and Crises Response, related to tenancy considerations.
• Supporting the Social Planning section to develop a listing of homelessness prevention services; to field inquiries related to tenancy related considerations; and to coordinate tenant workshops which discuss rights and responsibilities.
• Representing the City on external committees and working groups related to tenancy considerations.
• Engaging with local advocacy organizations that support tenants, including ACORN and the New Westminster Tenants’ Union.

If you have many of these attributes, we would like to hear from you!
• Completion of a university degree in a related field such as housing, land use or social planning, or other related discipline, or extensive experience in managing tenant assistance, preferably related to complex development processes.
• Substantial knowledge of the Residential Tenancy Act of British Columbia, including the arbitration process.
• Experience or knowledge in working in a municipal setting.
• Knowledge of municipal housing policy, including related to tenant protections.
• Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision.
• Proven ability to collaborate with external bodies on research initiatives and the collection and analysis of data.
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, including related to writing reports and making presentations.
• Strong organizational skills, including related to documentation.
• Demonstrated commitment to taking an equity-focused and culturally-sensitive approach in supporting tenants facing multiple barriers.
• Experience managing external consultants.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work within a team setting.
• Ability to pass and maintain a Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector.