Salary: $53,906.49 – $61,496.39
Regular Full Time, BCGEU position
Location: Salt Spring Island, BC

Competition #27576

If you are a motivated, well-organized planner with excellent interpersonal skills and an interest in applying creative solutions to planning issues in a small dynamic community, then we have an offer for you.

As a Planner 1 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.

The Salt Spring planning team works 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 a Planner 1 you would be responsible for processing a range of development applications and referrals, responding to general enquiries, and providing support to senior planners. The Planner 1 will require general planning knowledge (theory, practice, legislation and case law), and the ability to interpret policies, regulations, and legislation, as well as the ability to prepare and present comprehensive planning reports.

This is a junior 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).

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 degree in planning or another relevant field such as geography or environmental science; or graduation from a college program in community planning in combination with at least 2 years experience working as a planner or planning technician in a local government office;
preference will be given to candidates who have working experience in small local governments in British Columbia;
Experience in processing development applications, including development permits, development variance permits and subdivisions is required;
experience working in planning in a smaller community, or an island or rural setting is preferred;
Demonstrated 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;
Preference will be given to membership or eligibility for membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES needed to be successful in this position:

Team-oriented interpersonal skills;
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.

Submitting Your Application:

Prior to submitting a resume and cover letter, please go to our website www.islandstrust.bc.ca to become familiar with the Islands Trust. Applications may be considered for other current or future vacancies, including permanent, and/or temporary positions in this office. An eligibility list may be established.

Application Requirements:

Resume Required: YES, ensure your resume provides detailed information about your education and employment history as it relates to the required job qualifications. Your resume must include the month and year(s) for each job in your employment history, as well as the job related responsibilities.

Cover Letter Required: YES

Applicants are required to submit a resume and a cover letter demonstrating how they meet the selection criteria. Only those applicants shortlisted will be contacted.