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Job Specification
Position Title: COMMUNITY PLANNER
Job Code: OPSEU - Community Planner 3, 12104
Job ID: 21395

Purpose of Position:
Using land use planning and adult education and training knowledge and skills to plan and develop education and training programs/strategies/products/advise for senior management, MMAH regional staff, municipal land use planning stakeholders/agencies, provincial planners and related professions, the private sector and the general public that support implementation of the provincial land use planning system and related policies.

To review, analyse and make recommendations to senior management on municipal and provincial interests related primarily to the Planning Act (PA), the Ontario Planning and Development Act (OPCA), Greenbelt Plan, Oak ridges Moraine Plan, Greater Golden Horseshoe Growth Plan, and related legislation and provincial planning processes, assess municipal training needs and develop education materials and tools to address the needs on the above related matters.

Duties/Responsibilities:
Job requires:

1. Researching, analyzing and preparing educational products related to the Planning Act, related legislation and provincial plans/policies; delivering presentations and facilitating sessions; researching, analyzing, developing online information and education tools to assist regional staff and municipal sector clients with implementation of planning policy/strategies/programs; reviewing, analyzing, developing and making recommendations on planning policy issues/proposals, strategic planning and program implementation/delivery processes.

2. Conducting research, analyses and monitoring processes, issues, policies, and operational planning projects related to land use, economic, environmental, social aspects of land use planning and development in Ontario; reviewing effectiveness of current provincial policy, assessing the implications of government and private policy on Ontario`s planning system and policies, and raising emerging issues/implications, developing strategies, and recommending and developing ministry training strategies and materials and issues management to help implement Ontarios land use planning system and policies.

3. Analyzing official plans, development applications, municipal/ provincial planning issues, early consultation processes with municipalities/planning authorities on proposed PA and related legislation and provincial policies; preparing detailed reports and supporting documentation in accordance with legislation and provincial policies; and making recommendations for and developing educational programs/materials to senior management pertaining to related to provincial planning interests and policies.

4. Preparing reports and briefing senior ministry management and the Minister on issues related to land use planning projects/studies/programs/contentious issues and making recommendations on land use planning strategies and policies, e.g. implementation guidelines, information publications, workshop materials.

5. Preparing, presenting and participating in meetings, seminars, workshops and educational sessions on matters related to Ontario planning policies, the planning system/processes; representing the ministry before groups such as municipal councils, intra/inter-ministerial committees, task forces, developers and the public; and in negotiating or mediating with clients to resolve/scope issues in planning and education.

6. Preparing presentation/briefing and educational materials and Minister`s correspondence and coordinating provincial interest, policies and land use planning information with other ministries, planning associations, agencies, municipalities, interest groups and other clients.

7. Assessing the `one-window` advisory service to clients on a variety of land use planning matters, e.g. advice/solutions pertaining to implementation of provincial policy/plans; identifying provincial interests /concerns with proposed Planning Act and related legislation/policy changes and developing materials to advise/explain/educate clients on implications of new provincial planning related policy/plans/systems.

Knowledge:
Job requires knowledge of land use planning principles and standards, current related legislation (particularly the Planning Act, the OPDA), provincial policies and plans (e.g. the Provincial Policy Statement, Greenbelt Plan), government directives (e.g. changes to regulations, restrictive orders), operating practices (e.g. noise exposure forecast guidelines), Ontario Municipal Board related legislation/processes, and implementation methods (e.g. policy, operational, consultative, educational) in order to: research, analyze and evaluate policy/program development/ implementation issues and options, official plans, provincial plans, development applications and other municipal/provincial planning document/applications; prepare approval or decision documents on educational materials pertaining to land use planning; and provide advice and present to senior government officials and the private/public sectors; pre-consult provincial planners, and proponents of planning policy/development; and to raise emerging issues, develop strategies and recommend Ministry education and training positions/implications/ strategies for provincial land use planning to senior staff.

Job requires knowledge of the mandates and planning policies/programs of other provincial ministries/agencies involved in land use planning and management in order to have regard for provincial policy, and develop education and training on a comprehensive/integrated `one window` land use planning-related service to clients on provincial planning applications/proposals/matters; research, analyse and evaluate policy/program development/implementation issues, official plans, provincial plans, development applications and other related documents; pre-consult municipalities and proponents on planning education needs and impacts of new planning related plans/policies, and to raise emerging issues, develop strategies and recommend Ministry positions/implications to senior staff.

Job requires project management knowledge to effectively manage multiple project/cases and complete tasks on time. Job requires knowledge of adult learning principles, different educational methods and different principles to apply when educating adults.

Job requires knowledge of municipal operations, budgeting and council/committee processes and legislation related to land use planning, and of negotiation and conflict resolution techniques/processes to determine options for a viable resolution of a variety of land use planning related issues and controversial planning scenarios.

Job requires computer proficiency to use word processing and data analysis software applications, information systems/applications, and graphic/presentation based software (e.g. Powerpoint, desktop publishing) to prepare reports, correspondence, charts, tables, visually appealing presentations and educational materials, and to retrieve information from the Branch information system (IRIS).

Job requires knowledge of arithmetic to manipulate numerical data/records (e.g. demographic reports/analyses); compile and assess planning data from the LUPIN system; reconcile expense claims; and determine distances on maps.

Skills:
Job requires analyzing official plans and development applications, provincial legislation/plans/policies and supporting documentation, and making recommendations for technical and professional content for educational programs/materials on the same. Job requires researching issues/problems by consulting with relevant sources, gathering information, conducting studies and preparing reports/strategies/training materials. Job requires problem solving skills to develop options, recommendations and strategies on policy implementation and other planning related issues for senior staff which may result in the creation/modification of provincial strategies. Job requires problem solving skills to deal with issues which are often involved and politically sensitive at both the provincial and local government levels. Job requires interpretation skills to explain legislative requirements and provincial viewpoints while negotiating and attempting to achieve consensus from a diverse range of interest groups/clients with differing training needs. Job requires oral and written communication skills to interpret/explain/educate on provincial legislation, policies/standards/programs on land use planning-related matters; to incorporate effective adult learning principles into educational programs/materials, to present, negotiate, and mediate ideas/positions when representing the Ministry in consultation with policy/legal departments, other provincial planners and ministries, private/municipal sector planners and related disciplines, and representatives from all levels of government, developers and special interest groups. Job requires writing skills to prepare staff reports, speaking notes, presentations, educational materials, to research ad hoc reports, briefing notes, background documents and to draft correspondence for the Minister`s signature, and to ensure technical accuracy in preparing any written/educational materials. Job requires consultation, negotiation and conflict resolution skills to resolve land use related planning policy and implementation issues, to interpret and clarify provincial policy directions, to negotiate and persuade parties with divergent points of view to reach consensus on complicated and sensitive issues, e.g. why it is important to intensify development.

Freedom of Action:
Job requires working in accordance with legislation (e.g. the Planning Act, OPDA, and related legislation) and regulations, and ministry/provincial policies, practices, targets and standards. Job requires independently researching, analyzing and managing a large caseload of planning projects/cases and educational materials: ensuring confidentiality of sensitive information, {e.g. Cabinet submissions), synthesizing information, developing options, liaising with other ministries, proponents, municipalities and the public, and making planning and education related recommendations to senior management.

Job requires working on assignments which are outlined in broad terms with technical direction given only on the most involved or sensitive matters. Job requires expressing the Ministry position /polices/programs and responding to inquiries accurately and consistently. Job requires referring to senior management issues such as significant departures from agreed strategies or issues which have major policy implementation implications or situations affecting the completion of projects/products within the established deadlines/plans. Job requires preparing and explaining planning content recommendations on strategies and planning educational materials to senior planners/senior management/legal counsel for their signing approval.