Job Description

DEPARTMENT: Planning and Development
STATUS: Regular Full Time
NO. OF POSITIONS: 1
UNION: CUPE, Local 387
HOURS OF WORK: 35 hours per week*
SALARY: $58.32 – 69.02 per hour + 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 competitive salaries and benefit plans (including pension); education and training opportunities; a hybrid work environment; and challenging, meaningful work that makes a difference.

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 implement its strategic vision.

Our Planning and Development team plays a vital role in shaping that future, and we’re looking for an experienced Planner 2 to join our collaborative group!

At the City of New Westminster, you’ll find more than a job, you’ll have the opportunity to shape a growing community alongside supportive colleagues who value collaboration and innovation. As part of our Development Planning team, you’ll tackle complex planning challenges, contribute to projects that have a lasting impact, and continue to grow your career in a collaborative and forward-thinking environment.

About the Role

Reporting to a Supervisor of Development Planning, you will help lead the review of a diverse range of development applications and guide projects through the City’s application review process. Working closely with colleagues across the organization, applicants, consultants, community members, and Council, you’ll play an important role in delivering high-quality development that reflects the City’s vision and strategic priorities. You will also lead updates to the City’s development planning related policies and bylaws; be a key subject matter expert on the development of City policies, including those from the Land Use and Housing Planning sections; and, be closely involved in development application process streamlining.

This is an exciting opportunity for a planning professional who enjoys balancing technical expertise with collaboration, problem-solving, broad application of planning knowledge and city-building. Your work will influence projects that advance housing, community amenities, environmental sustainability, economic development, reconciliation, urban design, and complete communities.

What You’ll Do

As a Planner 2, you will:

• Lead the review and processing of some of the most complex development applications from submission through approval.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary reviews with internal departments and external partners.
• Prepare planning reports, bylaw amendments, and recommendations for Council.
• Help develop and improve planning policies, regulations, and development review processes.
• Participate in negotiations related to community amenities and development agreements.
• Provide planning advice to applicants, consultants, City staff, and the public.
• Present projects and recommendations to Council, advisory committees, and community groups.
• Mentor junior planning staff and contribute to a collaborative, supportive team environment.
• Lead and advise updates to key development bylaw, policies and processes.
• Support the Land Use and Housing Planning team with the creation and update of various policies and plans.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that enhance development planning practices, processes and customer service.

What You Bring

You are an experienced planning professional who combines strong technical knowledge with excellent communication and relationship-building skills. You thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy working on complex projects, and are motivated by the opportunity to help shape great communities.

You have:

• A Master’s degree in Urban Planning or a related discipline, along with meaningful experience in development planning, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Full membership, or eligibility for full membership, with the Canadian Institute of Planners.
• Strong knowledge of municipal planning principles, legislation, bylaws, and development processes.
• Experience managing complex development applications and preparing professional reports and recommendations.
• Experience developing or updating planning policies, regulations and guidelines.
• Strong collaboration skills and experience working with multidisciplinary teams and a wide range of stakeholders.
• Excellent facilitation, negotiation, conflict resolution, and customer service skills.
• The ability to communicate complex planning concepts clearly, both verbally and in writing.
• Sound judgment, initiative, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• A commitment to building positive relationships with colleagues, community members, consultants, and development partners.

Why Join Us?

We know that great work starts with supporting great people. That’s why we offer:

• Work-life balance: A 35-hour work week, generous vacation, optional compressed day off program, and optional hybrid work schedule.
• Health and wellness: Extended health, dental, life insurance, paid sick leave, and wellness-focused programs.
• Retirement security: Membership in the Municipal Pension Plan.
• Career growth: Ongoing learning, professional development, and opportunities to build your career within a progressive municipal organization.

If you’re passionate about creating vibrant, sustainable communities and want to help shape the future of New Westminster, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply online with your resume and cover letter in one document at www.newwestcity.ca/employment
This position will remain open until filled.

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: • A Master's degree in Urban Planning or a related discipline, along with meaningful experience in development planning, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. • Full membership, or eligibility for full membership, with the Canadian Institute of Planners.

Required skills: • Strong knowledge of municipal planning principles, legislation, bylaws, and development processes. • Experience managing complex development applications and preparing professional reports and recommendations. • Experience developing or updating planning policies, regulations and guidelines. • Strong collaboration skills and experience working with multidisciplinary teams and a wide range of stakeholders. • Excellent facilitation, negotiation, conflict resolution, and customer service skills.

Additional skills / Assets: • The ability to communicate complex planning concepts clearly, both verbally and in writing. • Sound judgment, initiative, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment. • A commitment to building positive relationships with colleagues, community members, consultants, and development partners.

Closest intersection: Royal Ave and 6th Street