Development Services is comprised of several branches. The Department's mission is to guide the growth and development of Barrie towards a vibrant, livable and resilient community through development of a strong policy framework for land use decision making and development review services. The Branches work together to implement provincial policies, address corporate strategic objectives and apply best practices in land use planning, development review, technical design review, active transportation implementation and guide development and growth with full support from professional, technical and administrative support staff. Feedback and interaction with a variety of other Departments within the organization, and gained through public consultation, are key to realizing Council and corporate directions, many of which are initiated and commenced through the development process.

The Planner position is responsible for all matters pertaining to the use and development of land within the City of Barrie including all private development proposals and municipal operations, facilities, and strategic initiatives and ensures compliances with provincial and municipal legislation, policies, regulations and guidelines. Specifically, this position authors, presents and defends policy recommendations to City Council regarding land-use and planning issues that affect the use and development of land within the City, which involves developing and/or conducting studies regarding matters ranging from environmental protection, heritage conservation, downtown revitalization and economic development. Additionally, this position project manages and leads a portfolio of applications, which involves reviewing, processing, authoring, presenting and defending recommendations to City Council regarding applications for the development of land within the City. Lastly, this position provides leadership, guidance and advice of a functional, technical, and professional nature to various internal and external stakeholders, which involves preparing, presenting, and defending professional planning evidence under cross-examination at quasi-judicial tribunals such as the Ontario Land Tribunal and tribunals or courts of law through the provision of testimony as an Expert Witness. Overall, this position plays an integral role in advocating for and acting in the public interest with respect to all land-use planning and development related matters, and promoting efficient land-use and development within the City to strategically meet the City of Barrie’s future growth needs and requirements.

Our Culture and Qualifications of the Job

Corporate Culture: Your workplace values align with our corporate values of Strive, Share and Care and you want to join us in providing exceptional services and programs to build a prosperous, growing and sustainable community.

Equally important to what we do is how we do it - your actions reflect our core accountabilities of Personal Awareness, Teamwork and Collaboration, Respect and Inclusion, Innovation, and Service Excellence, which define how we work together to succeed.

Education (degree/diploma/certifications)

Four (4) year University Degree in Urban Planning or a related discipline
Eligibility for and willingness to become a Full Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP)
Eligibility for and willingness to become a Full Member of the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI)

Don’t meet the education credentials as outlined above but have years of directly related experience? Please see the City’s Education Equivalency Policy to determine if you may qualify for equivalency. Further information is available at www.barrie.ca/JobOpps.

Position Equivalency Code: F

Experience

Three (3) years of experience performing duties related to the major responsibilities of the position within a land-use planning and development work environment
Demonstrated experience applying and interpreting planning documents and regulation instruments

Knowledge/Skill/Ability

Working knowledge of the following applicable legislation and policy including but not limited to:
Ontario Planning Act
Ontario Provincial Policy Statement
Provincial Growth Plan
Condominium Act
Environmental Assessment Act
Development Charges Act
Ontario Heritage Act
Working knowledge of current trends, policies, practices, technology, and information relative to land-use planning and development
Working knowledge of the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) appeal processes
Thorough knowledge of the application and interpretation of municipal planning policy documents and regulation instruments, including Official Plans, Zoning By-laws and Urban Design Guidelines
Thorough knowledge of the Committees of Adjustment process, including the role of the Planner in providing application review comments
Demonstrated ability to:
project manage, review, analyze and formulate policy on a broad variety of planning related issues, and develop and present solutions
project manage, review, and analyze development applications of varying scales and significance, and develop and present solutions
read and interpret plans, maps, by-laws, and legal documents
apply a wide range of mathematical or statistical concepts
prioritize, set priorities, meet deadlines and deal with conflicting priorities and work demands
coordinate and manage the development application review process
analyze complex issues and problems, evaluate alternative solutions and develop sound conclusions, recommendations and courses of action
champion the mission and values of the City
conduct research, prepare reports, and deliver presentations
develop, promote and maintain effective and collaborative liaison with City employees, external agencies, government agencies, the general public, developers, consultants and other stakeholders
exercise discretion and judgment when handling confidential, controversial and or politically sensitive information and ensures the security of such information/files
lead and inspire innovation and the adoption of best practices;
maintain a high standard of public relations at all times;
think and act strategically in a political and community service environment
Excellent project/time management, analytical, report-writing, presentation, collaboration, facilitation, mediation, negotiation, and problem solving skills
Excellent interpersonal, communication (verbal and written), organizational, research, analytical, public engagement and consultation, customer service, teamwork and leadership skills
Computer literacy, utilizing the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint), GIS software and electronic tracking systems
Availability to accommodate deadlines, meeting/event attendance and/or peak period workloads that may extend beyond the normal workday or occur on evenings/weekends

Conditions of Employment

Valid Ontario Class “G” Driver’s Licence in good standing with a reliable vehicle to use on corporate business
Satisfactory Criminal Record Check*

*Please note that this is a requirement for any new employees to the City of Barrie in accordance with the Police Record Check Policy. Existing employees who have met this criteria will be exempt from this requirement

Other Important Information

Location: City Hall, 70 Collier Street, Barrie, Ontario*

*Please note that the City has a Hybrid Work Program Policy in place that may allow a hybrid work arrangement of one (1) remote day per week for employees who meet eligibility requirements

Hours: The normal hours of work are 35 hours per week in accordance with the Collective Agreement

Wage: This position is within the CUPE Local 2380 Bargaining Unit with the following pay level and 2026 pay range:

Pay Level: Level 9
Yearly Salary: $82,173.00 to $8,389.20
Hourly Pay Rate: $45.15 to $54.06

What We Offer: This position includes extended health and dental benefits, optional enrollment in the OMERS Primary pension plan, prorated paid sick time based on the expected duration of employment, and prorated vacation time based on calendar year and in accordance with the Employment Standards Act, access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), discounted rates for City Fitness Memberships and Transit Passes, and access to the Perkopolis Perks program, which provides exclusive access to discounts on a wide range of products and services available to all City employees.

How to Apply: Click the ‘Apply Now’ button at the top and/or bottom of the job posting to start the application process. Please note that emailed applications will not be considered.

Why Barrie?

The City of Barrie is a vibrant, progressive, and growing community with deep connections to our heritage, to nature and to the opportunities surrounding us.

Our community values quality of life; the ability to play year-round with 300 hectares of park space, our beautiful waterfront, our lively downtown core and the nearby hills, wetlands, and forests. We also value connections; to our neighbours and the community, to our road and rail network, and to the opportunity Barrie provides to enjoy life.

Everything Barrie has to offer, from the water we drink to the roads we travel on, has one thing in common - municipal workers. Joining a municipality is one of the most rewarding, engaging, and exciting careers you could choose. It is a career you can take pride in knowing that every day you make a positive impact on an entire community. We are one team, with one goal and we all work together to continue making our community great.

City of Barrie

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