Job Description

DEPARTMENT: Planning and Development
STATUS: Full Time
NO. OF POSITIONS: One
UNION: CUPE, Local 387
HOURS OF WORK: 35 hours per week
SALARY: $54.44 – $64.43 per hour (2024 rates) + comprehensive benefits package

The City of New Westminster has earned a proud reputation for civic leadership, service delivery and outstanding employee relations. We offer our employees great work-life balance; competitive salaries and benefit plans (including pension); education and training opportunities; and challenging and rewarding work.

As a central hub in the Metro Vancouver area, the City of New Westminster delivers a broad spectrum of urban services to over 92,000 residents. It is a city rich in history with a viable and thriving economy, a population representative of the diversity of the region, and is staffed by talented and dedicated employees who work together to achieve its strategic vision.
We are looking for a Planner 2 to help lead the fast-paced, innovative, and evolving work of the Development Planning group within the Planning Division. Reporting to a Supervisor of Development Planning, you will manage development applications and facilitate the multi-disciplinary review of projects through the approvals process. The successful candidate will assist the Development Planning Supervisor in ensuring that all development projects and review processes are consistent with Council’s strategic priorities and the City’s overall city-building objectives, including those related to community amenities, housing and social strategies, environmental protection, economic development, reconciliation, and urban design; and advancing development related practices, policies and regulations within a team environment.
Specific duties will include: processing complex development projects in a timely manner; supporting or providing development planning and implementation feedback and advice to other departments or divisions; creating or updating development related policies or regulations; participating with senior staff in formulating, implementing and modifying development application processes; coordinating with internal and external contacts on matters related to the work; participating in the negotiation of community amenities with the development community; liaising with applicants, other City staff, professionals and the public; preparing reports and bylaw amendments; making presentations to community groups, City advisory committees and Council; providing mentorship and support for more junior planners; and other related duties.
If you have the following characteristics and qualifications, we want to hear from you!
• Master’s Degree in urban planning or a related discipline, with considerable work experience in development planning or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Full membership, or eligibility for full membership with the Canadian Institute of Planners.
• Advanced knowledge of the principles, practices, techniques, methods and procedures applicable to municipal planning.
• Considerable knowledge of the policies, rules, regulations, bylaws and legislation governing the work.
• Significant knowledge of several fields related to planning, such as urban design, social science, law, economics, development practices, and municipal finance, and of current trends and developments in these areas.
• Experience in the timely review, processing and oversight of complex development projects, at all stages, and preparing related reports.
• Experience participating in community planning processes and in representing the municipality and department on planning matters.
• Experience collaborating with teams with diverse experience and backgrounds.
• Experience creating and updating development related policy and regulations.
• Experience participating in various meetings related to the work such as Council meetings and making presentations.
• Experience working with senior staff in creating, implementing, and improving land use plans and application processes and procedures.
• Experience in implementing contemporary customer service excellence in conflict situations and providing service to applicants with reliance on a range of knowledge and experience.
• Ability to consult, liaise and coordinate with other staff, external public and private agencies, consultants and citizen groups.
• Demonstrated ability and experience in facilitation, negotiation and conflict resolution.
• Ability to be creative and exercise sound independent judgment in a fast paced environment while managing multiple tasks and resolving conflicts.
• Ability to express ideas effectively both orally and in a written manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, professionals and the public, and to clearly convey the principles and requirements of sound planning and development.
What we offer:
• Work-life balance – 35 hour work week, vacation, an optional compressed day off program, and optional hybrid work schedule
• Health and wellness – extended health, dental, life insurance benefits, paid sick leave plan, plus other wellness-focused programs and benefits
• Retirement benefits – including municipal pension plan
• Career development – ongoing learning and personal development program
Apply online with your resume and cover letter in one document
at www.newwestcity.ca/employment by February 11, 2026.
We offer our employees great work-life balance, including competitive salaries, comprehensive health and wellness benefits and retirement plans (a percentage in lieu of benefits for auxiliary positions). We also offer a hybrid remote work schedule in accordance with our Remote Work Policy, opportunities for education and training, and engaging, rewarding work.

To support a workforce that reflects the diversity of our community; women, Indigenous Peoples, racialized individuals, persons of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (LGBTQ2S+), persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to diversity of our workforce, are encouraged to express their interest.
New Westminster is on the unceded and unsurrendered land of the Halq’eméylem-speaking peoples. It is acknowledged by the City that colonialism has made invisible their histories and connections to the land.
We are learning and building relationships with the people whose lands we are on.
We thank all applicants for their interest and advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
This position is only open to those legally entitled to work in Canada.

Required languages: english

Education level: • Master’s Degree in urban planning or a related discipline, with considerable work experience in development planning or an equivalent combination of training and experience. • Full membership, or eligibility for full membership with the Canadian Institute of Planners.

Required skills: • Advanced knowledge of the principles, practices, techniques, methods and procedures applicable to municipal planning. • Considerable knowledge of the policies, rules, regulations, bylaws and legislation governing the work. • Significant knowledge of several fields related to planning, such as urban design, social science, law, economics, development practices, and municipal finance, and of current trends and developments in these areas. • Experience in the timely review, processing and oversight of complex development projects, at all stages, and preparing related reports. • Experience participating in community planning processes and in representing the municipality and department on planning matters.

Additional skills / Assets: • Experience collaborating with teams with diverse experience and backgrounds. • Experience creating and updating development related policy and regulations. • Experience participating in various meetings related to the work such as Council meetings and making presentations. • Experience working with senior staff in creating, implementing, and improving land use plans and application processes and procedures. • Experience in implementing contemporary customer service excellence in conflict situations and providing service to applicants with reliance on a range of knowledge and experience. • Ability to consult, liaise and coordinate with other staff, external public and private agencies, consultants and citizen groups. • Demonstrated ability and experience in facilitation, negotiation and conflict resolution. • Ability to be creative and exercise sound independent judgment in a fast paced environment while managing multiple tasks and resolving conflicts. • Ability to express ideas effectively both orally and in a written manner. • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, professionals and the public, and to clearly convey the principles and requirements of sound planning and development.

Closest intersection: Royal Ave and 6th Street