Planner, Park Planning

Job Summary

The City of Mississauga’s parks and forestry system is an integral part of the City, measured both by the wellbeing of residents and the strength of ecosystems. As Mississauga intensifies, planning, delivering, and protecting City parkland assets becomes increasingly challenging and essential as we strive to create healthy complete communities.

The Park Planning team consists of planners and a landscape architect, who work together to plan and expand parkland, support creating vibrant public spaces by leading public engagement processes for parkland projects, protect City parkland assets and comment on behalf of the Parks, Forestry & Environment Division (PF&E) on Committee of Adjustment applications, Environmental Assessments, Capital Works and City realty matters.

Under the direction of the Team Leader, the successful applicant will be responsible for a variety of parkland related projects and assignments including park planning studies, planning of parkland public engagement, review of various types of legal agreements, and other parkland related technical studies and initiatives. This position will require the ability to resolve issues within a fast paced environment, manage several projects at one time, have a full breadth of knowledge of the planning process, comment on multiple types of legal agreements, and have excellent public communication skills including organizing and managing public meetings.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Liaises and meets with public agencies and departments, professionals, consultants, elected officials, staff, residents and special interest groups as required with respect to the projects and the future development of parks and recreational facilities;
• Lead parkland related planning studies, strategies and special projects and make decisions on future park uses;
• Provide professional advice and input to the public, Council and other professionals;
• Lead virtual and in-person public engagement initiatives, undertake analysis and summarize feedback in reports;
• Coordinate and make formal presentations and/or facilitate public meetings assembled for the purpose of getting feedback from the public on park projects;
• Research and prepare corporate reports to General Committee and Council, and briefing notes to management;
• Provide professional commentary on behalf of Park Planning and PF&E on various projects including Committee of Adjustment applications, Realty matters and Environmental Assessments;
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills and Qualifications

• Graduation from a recognized university in Planning or related discipline with a minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience in long-term planning and/or land use planning;
• Ability to liaise with the public, elected officials, other City Departments, federal & provincial authorities, conservation & regional authorities, and other outside agencies as required;
• Ability to work well in a team environment and independently;
• Experience working with financial information and graphic design considered an asset;
• Strong interpersonal skills along with customer service and conflict resolution skills;
• Current knowledge of legislation and policy framework including legislative changes impacting parkland, the Planning Act, Official Plan and Zoning By-law;
• Demonstrated project management and time management skills;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to work well in a team environment and independently;
• Knowledge of related computer applications required including Microsoft Suite software;
• Eligibility for membership in the Ontario Professional Planners Institute and Canadian Institute of Planners is required;
• Valid Ontario driver's license with access to a vehicle is required.