Job Posting

Halifax Regional Municipality is inviting applications for two permanent, full-time Planner III positions within the Planned Growth, Strategic Projects division of the Planning and Development Department.

Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is committed to reflecting the community it serves and recognizing Diversity and Inclusion as one of the Municipality's core values. We have an Employment Equity Policy and we welcome applications from African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Women in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented in the workforce, Indigenous/Aboriginal People, Persons with Disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ Persons. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify on their electronic application.

Reporting to the Principal Planner, the Planner III is a senior subject matter expert who provides advanced-level professional planning services, leads, and manages complex planning assignments or departmental projects based on business unit or corporate strategic priorities. The incumbent is responsible for leading assignments and mentoring junior staff in one or more areas of expertise such as Development Review, Community Planning, Regional Planning, Urban Design, Heritage & Cultural Planning, Infrastructure Planning, Transportation Planning, Environmental Planning and Socio-Economic Research.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Leads and performs advanced-level professional work and provides technical assistance and information to staff and the public related to a broad range of planning matters
• Acts as liaison between citizens, government agencies, developers and elected officials on planning matters as may be assigned
• Evaluates and processes complicated applications including subdivision applications, permits, variances, site plans, development agreements, and land use by-law amendments, municipal planning strategy and other planning applications
• Prepares and presents detailed reports and recommendations on planning matters to staff, Boards, Committees and Council and serves as liaison to such committees
• Conducts field evaluations and assessments
• Investigates violations of planning regulations
• Acts as witness in legal proceedings as necessary and provides expert advice at the Utility and Review Board and Court
• Acts as a subject matter expert in a broad range planning matters
• Leads projects, advises, and makes recommendations on business unit policies and procedures related to land use planning and development programs or strategic corporate initiatives
• Represents the business unit or the municipality as a team member, or independently, on assigned planning matters
• Participates in special projects designed to improve the performance, efficiency and effectiveness of services and/or programs
• Facilitates public meetings representing the business unit on a variety of planning matters
• Designs and facilitates internal or customer-focused strategic planning, training, education, and consultation processes as required.
• Provides senior professional planning assistance to communities and community groups on various land use projects
• Researches, analyzes, and compiles information and statistical data and trends on a variety of planning matters
• Identifies emerging planning trends, policies and best practices from other jurisdictions and makes recommendations on business unit policies and planning initiatives to address community problems
• Monitors effectiveness of existing planning policies, business processes and regulations and makes recommendations for improvements as necessary
• Researches, analyzes, prepares, and presents complex reports, contract documents, terms of reference, request for proposals, policies and procedures, correspondence and briefs for senior management, Committees and Council related to demographic, economic, social, environmental and other factors affecting community planning issues, land use, physical, social & economic issues
• Leads the development of, in partnership with stakeholders, policy options, analysis and reports on complex planning issues for the business unit and/or the municipality
• Prepares, presents, and maintains comprehensive regional and community plans, land use by-laws, the Subdivision By-law and other regulations regarding development control
• Manages highly sensitive and complex planning studies, reviews consultant proposals and verifies contract expenditures and compliance
• Makes decisions on assigned complex permit, site plan, variance and subdivision applications when appointed as a Development Officer by Council pursuant to the Halifax Charter.
• Mentors Planner I and Planner II
• May perform other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience

• University degree from an accredited planning program and five (5) years of professional planning experience. OR
• University degree from a non-accredited but related program (such as Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban, Human or Economic Geography, and Geographic/Spatial Information Systems) and seven (7) years of professional planning experience.
• Master's Degree from an accredited planning program and four (4) years of professional planning experience would be considered an asset.
• Candidacy as a Licensed Professional Planner (LPP) or equivalent Provincial or International designation and a willingness to obtain the LPP designation within a three (3) year period is required.
• Progressive experience working in a municipal government environment is considered an asset.

Technical / Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge of the philosophies, principals, practices & techniques of planning including cross-functional knowledge involving other disciplines
• Well-developed knowledge of one or more planning disciplines, such as community development, urban design, heritage conservation, housing, parks and recreation, transportation planning or environmental/natural resources planning
• Knowledge and experience in construction processes
• Ability to work on several projects or issues simultaneously
• Ability to mentor junior staff and teams to results
• Ability to manage projects effectively and meet firm deadlines
• Advanced skills in the techniques of facilitation, mediation, negotiation and public participation
• Superior written and verbal communications skills
• Superior skills in the areas of research, analysis, writing, evaluation, and presentation
• Ability to anticipate the issues of community groups, Council, other business units, senior management, special interest groups and other stakeholders and be able to think critically and strategically in the resolution of those issues
• Excellent interpersonal skills which enable credible and effective relationships with people at all levels, including senior management and elected officials
• Knowledge of standard office software and technology including Microsoft Office Suite, Internet applications, GIS and other similar systems and technology related to the business unit
• Advanced knowledge of the Municipal Government Act, the HRM Charter, the Heritage Property Act, the Heritage By-law, the Subdivision By-law, various HRM Municipal Planning Strategies and Land Use By-laws, and other relevant legislation and municipal by-laws related to construction approvals, engineering specifications, and planning applications, including a clear understanding of their interrelationships.
• A broad knowledge of the legislative framework under which land use planning law operates and the ability to interpret and draft by-laws and contracts which affect the rights of landowners, neighbourhoods, and communities

Security Clearance Requirements: Applicants may be required to complete an employment security screening check.

Please note: Testing may be conducted as a component of the selection process to assess technical and job specific knowledge. Candidates, who are selected for testing, may be tested in a group setting, scheduled at the employer's discretion.

COMPETENCIES: Valuing Diversity, Analytical Thinking, Communications, Conflict Management, Customer Service, Organizational Awareness, Teamwork & Cooperation, Organization & Planning
WORK STATUS: Permanent, full-time position
HOURS OF WORK: Monday - Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm, 35 hours per week. Flex options to work outside of these hours and hybrid may be available
SALARY: NSGEU Local 222, Level 11, $49.67/hour
WORK LOCATION: 3rd Floor of Duke Tower (5251 Duke Street, Halifax, NS)
CLOSING DATE: Applications will be received up to 11:59 pm on Wednesday, June 11, 2025

This is a bargaining unit position. External applicants will only be considered if there are no qualified bargaining unit candidates.

Please note: We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for interview/testing will be contacted.

During the recruitment process, applicants have the right to request an accommodation. Applicants invited to participate in an assessment process (such as interview or testing) and who require an accommodation, should discuss their needs with the recruiter when invited to the assessment process. For more information on our accommodation process please click on the link; Accommodations | Hiring | Employment | Halifax

(position # 78640451, 78640449)