Director of Planning and Development Services

ABOUT US

Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, Canada is a town of approximately 9,000 residents, nestled in the heart of the LaHave River Valley on the province's South Shore.

Located within an hour of Halifax, Bridgewater's reputation as the Main Street of the South Shore is well-deserved -- the community is the service centre for more than 60,000 residents within a 30-minute drive in Lunenburg and Queens counties.
Bridgewater boasts all the service you would expect from a modern location and couples it with the charm and feel of a tightly knit community, the kind where neighbours know each other and everyone greets you with a smile.

The Town of Bridgewater is currently seeking a Director of Planning and Development Services to join our team.

The Town of Bridgewater is committed to offering equal employment opportunities based on qualifications and performance, and free from discrimination because of age, race or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, family status, gender identity, or other protected characteristics, in accordance with the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act. At the Town of Bridgewater, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment, and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.

If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact Human Resources at [email protected] or call 902-543-4651.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Director of Planning and Development Services is responsible for the overall management of the Town's Planning, Sustainability, and Development Services which includes strategic and long-term community and land use planning, project management, development review and control, building and fire inspection services, sustainability, special projects and GIS services.

The position is responsible to ensure the Department is aligned with Council and Organizational Priorities, developmental and capacity building of departmental staff, and financial management of the department budgets and plans.

ABOUT YOU

You are naturally collaborative and know how to pull people together to accomplish goals. You are able to see the big picture which will allows you to make valuable contributions to grow the Town with the help of your planning and development service team. You lead by example in aligning with your team's goals with the goals of the organization and Council. Teamwork and collaboration are important to you, and you recognize the value of working with other departments to achieve Council's vision. You understand the importance of community, and with your leadership you will enable the recreation and culture team to offer programs and services to serve our diverse community. Do you see yourself in this description?

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Planning

• Acts as a subject matter expert on Land Use and Community Planning.
• Working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, research, report and make recommendations to Town Council on planning related studies, land use matters, policy and by-law amendments, and development agreements.
• Working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, prepare Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law, Subdivision By-law and Development Agreements, including amendments to these documents.

Development Services

• Perform the duties of Acting Deputy Development Officer for the Towns' Subdivision By-law and interprets and administers the Subdivision By-law and Subdivision Regulations, including the processing and approval of subdivision applications in the absence of the Municipal Development Officer.
• Assist the Development Officer in interpretation and administration of Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law, when required. Acts as Acting Development Officer for the Town's Land Use By-law in the absence of the Development Officer.

Sustainability

• Working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to oversee the development and implementation of the Town of Bridgewater's:
• Community Energy Investment Plan and revisions there to.
• Integrated Community Sustainability Plan, and revisions thereto.
• Municipal Climate Change Action Plan and revisions thereto.

Building/Fire Inspection

Through an Inter-Municipal Shared Services Agreement with neighboring municipal units, is responsible for:

• Overseeing the delivery of Building Inspection Services.
• Overseeing the administration of the Dangerous and Unsightly Inspection Policy and MGA provisions.
• Overseeing the administration of the Minimum Standards By-law.
• Overseeing the delivery of Fire Inspection Services in accordance with the Towns Policy Re: System of Fire Inspections, Fire Safety Act and Regulations.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Degree in Planning or a field closely related to planning,
• Eligibility for membership in C.I.P.
• A valid Nova Scotia driver's license.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of previous employment experience as a planner, or a combination of suitable training and experience; and
• A minimum of five (5) years of previous leadership and /or management experience
• Thorough knowledge of the Municipal Government Act (MGA), with emphasis on content and procedures for adoption, amendment, and administration of Municipal Planning Strategy, Subdivision By -law, Land Use By-law and Development Agreements.
• Excellent knowledge of local government responsibility, organization and procedures.
• Program delivery and Project Management.
• Knowledge of the application of Geographic Information Systems and spatial analysis.
• Proficiency in MS Office, Permit Tracking systems and a general knowledge of GIS.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Permanent, full-time, non-union position.
• Annual Salary (Grade 8): $116,546 - $149,845, commensurate with experience.
• Competitive group benefits and group insurance package.
• Defined Benefit Pension Plan - PSSP
• Regular hours - Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (35 hours per week). This position is required to attend evening meetings.
• Position operates out of the Town's Administration Department (60 Pleasant Street).

Please submit your application no later than October 30, 2026 @ 11:59 p.m. at: https://Bridgewater.scouterecruit.net/jobs/TOB2026019