Island Planner – Planning Officer (N27)
Salary: $64,472.40 – $73,744.02
Full Time
BCGEU position
Location: Salt Spring Island, BC

Competition #27570

If you are an experienced Planner with an in-depth understanding of BC’s planning and regulatory landscape and local government, then we have an offer for you.

As the Island Planner, you can enjoy an island lifestyle on the most populated of BC’s Gulf Islands, known for its natural beauty, and its engaged and creative community. Located between Mainland BC and Vancouver Island, Salt Spring Island offers the best of an island pace of life, excellent community amenities plus easy access to nearby cultural, business and entertainment centres that are among the best in Canada.

Your office is located within the Islands Trust Area – a scenic archipelago of 13 major islands and more than 450 smaller islands.  Our islands are characterized by vital communities, a rich cultural history and habitat for an exceptional variety of species, some found nowhere else in Canada.  Outstanding scenery and recreational resources include panoramic viewpoints, sheltered bays with warm sand and pebble beaches and protected marine waterways and anchorages that contribute to the Trust Area’s beauty and appeal.

You will work closely with the 3-person Salt Spring Island Local Trust Committee, comprised of two locally elected trustees and one member of the Islands Trust Executive Committee. It is responsible for land-use planning and regulation including preparation and adoption of an Official Community Plan (OCP), comprehensive land use bylaws, and authorization of certain Local Government Act permits.

As the Island Planner you would be responsible for team leadership, contract management and partnership development with stakeholders. This is a senior planning position, working out of the Salt Spring Office that provides planning services to the Salt Spring Island Local Trust area (Salt Spring Island plus adjacent smaller islands). The Island Planner may be designated as an Acting Regional Planning Manager at times during the year and may supervise the development of junior Planners.

As an Island Planner you will work directly with elected officials providing recommendations on the development of comprehensive policy and regulatory documents. You will also process a full range of land use applications and referrals.

About YOU:

You are energetic, creative, motivated and a well-organized individual with excellent interpersonal skills and a strong customer service ethic;
You enjoy a collaborative, busy work environment;
You enjoy working in smaller communities and rural environment;
You have strong communication skills;
You have the ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with elected officials, colleagues, landowners and the general public.

Your QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

A graduate degree in planning or another relevant field such as geography or environmental science;
At least five years experience in the land use planning field, preference will be given to candidates who have working experience in small local governments in British Columbia, and experience working on community planning projects);  or an equivalent combination of education and experience;
Working knowledge of relevant sections of applicable legislation and policies including Part 26 of the Local Government Act, the Islands Trust Act and Islands Trust Policy Statement, Community Charter, Interpretation Act, Agricultural Land Commission Act, and the Land Title Act and related regulations and a thorough knowledge of planning and common law principles;
Strong understanding of sustainable community planning issues and approaches, particularly those that would relate to the preservation and protection of the natural environment and unique amenities of an island community;
Demonstrated experience leading development of or significant amendments to official community plans, land use bylaws, and development permit area guidelines; and
Membership or eligibility for membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES needed to be successful in this position:

Exceptional team-oriented interpersonal skills;
Ability to work independently under pressure with minimal supervision;
To be a strong advocate for community planning and for the policies of the Islands Trust;
Ability to effectively deal with political issues and their impacts, and ability to establish and maintain constructive working relationships with a wide variety of public/private officials;
Demonstrated exceptional oral and written communication skills;
Ability to work independently and proactively in a supervised team environment;
Other skills as listed in the Job Description.