The City of Edmonton's Urban Planning and Economy Department is seeking a visionary, highly collaborative Principal Planner (Planner II) to join our Development Services branch. This role offers an impactful opportunity to lead the transformation of Edmonton's urban landscapes while championing the public good.
As a specialist in land development, you will lead the management, analysis, and coordination of complex, high-profile, and potentially contentious land development applications. Acting as a trusted advisor to City Council and civic administration, you will navigate politically sensitive issues and develop creative solutions that align with corporate objectives and sound planning principles. Additionally, you will provide critical mentorship to planners within the team and step in to support leadership during operational vacancies.
What will you do?- Manage the review of complex and potentially contentious land development applications, including rezonings, road closures, and text amendments to statutory and non-statutory plans
- Interpret and apply provincial legislation, municipal policies, procedures, guidelines, and industry best practices
- Consult with internal experts across various disciplines-including transportation, drainage, ecology, and transit-to collect and assemble technical data
- Lead high-stakes negotiations with applicants to amend, revise, and shape development proposals to achieve policy compliance
- Design and execute fair, transparent community engagement processes to share information, gather feedback, and respond to the concerns of engagement participants
- Write highly technical, accurate, informative, and succinct reports and assemble coordinated bylaw packages for delivery to City Council
- Provide professional judgment and expert advisory services verbally and in writing to City Councillors, developers, lawyers, and interested and/or affected parties
- Mentor Planners and Planning Technicians to support their professional growth, and perform Acting Senior Planner duties during vacations or absences
- Draft comprehensive briefing notes for senior management and appear before City Council and community leagues
- Conduct research, analyze regulatory limitations, and collaborate with leadership to design system and process improvements that elevate service delivery
Qualifications:- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Urban or Regional Planning or a directly related field
- Four (4) years of practical experience in the area of land development planning
Assets:- Eligibility for or membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) / Alberta Professional Planners Institute (APPI)
Skills required for success:- Deep expertise in the principles and practices of urban planning, development processes, the Municipal Government Act, and municipal bylaws
- Advanced verbal, written, and presentation communication skills to synthesize and explain complex technical concepts beautifully
- Strong relationship-building skills to establish trust and maintain positive connections with a diverse network of collaborators
- Strong project management and organizational skills to successfully manage multiple complex application files simultaneously under rigid timelines
- Sharp analytical and conceptual thinking to interpret complex data, evaluate technical reports, and make timely decisions
- Superior conflict resolution and negotiation skills to handle sensitive situations and guide oppositional parties toward consensus
- Creativity and innovation to solve multi-faceted planning problems and balance competing goals through a variety of planning lenses
- High level of initiative, independence, and leadership to thrive and remain grounded within a fast-paced, time-pressured environment
- Proven collaborative mindset to integrate seamlessly and work productively within a multi-disciplinary team setting
- Alignment to our Cultural Commitments and Leadership Competencies ( https://bit.ly/4brRrXm )
- Embracing a culture of equity, diversity, reconciliation and inclusion
Conditions of Employment:Work Environment:- Note: This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement with the flexibility to work from both home and the worksite as per the Letter of Understanding between the City of Edmonton and Civic Service Union 52
- The weekly hours of work for this position are currently under review and may change at a future time. Any changes will be made in accordance with the City of Edmonton/Civic Service Union 52 collective agreement, and the incumbent will be notified in advance
- This role works primarily in an indoor setting
- Availability to attend events during the evenings and weekends may be required from time to time
- This is a public-facing role and requires engagement and interaction with diverse people from various backgrounds with different needs, expectations and emotional states
Up to 1 permanent full-time position and up to 3 temporary full-time positions for up to 11 months
Hours of Work: 33.75 hours per week
Salary Range: $54.155 - $69.110 (Hourly); $95,407.570 - $121,754.540 (Annually)
Recruitment Consultant: JF/SO
Edmonton rests in the heart of Treaty Six territory in Alberta and the homelands of the Metis Nation.
