Job Description
The successful candidate will take on a senior planning role in our firm, leading projects and working collaboratively within teams. Responsibilities will be diverse, as the Planner will be expected to respond and adapt to project and community-specific needs. In a general sense, the Senior Planner’s role will include the following
responsibilities:
Securing projects by developing detailed project plans, and occasionally, proposals.
Coordinating strong project teams which may include a mix of internal PlanIt North team members as well as external partners with strong content expertise.
Providing overall management and coordination of a variety of planning and related projects, including senior review of other team members’ contributions.
Ensuring projects are delivered to high quality, within agreed upon scope and on-time.
Working closely with our clients to develop and implement projects that meet their specific objectives. Typically, this will require adopting creative and highly collaborative approaches that ensure in-depth community engagement and, when possible, project implementation alongside an actively involved community lead.
About You
You hold a graduate degree from an accredited planning program or related field, including, but not limited to Natural Resource Management, Forestry, Global Development, International Development, Public Policy, etc.
You possess ten years of experience working in a professional setting, in which you demonstrated progressive project and human resource management responsibilities during at least three of those years.
You can describe a substantial cross-cultural professional experience, which may include but not necessarily be limited to experience working with Indigenous communities in Canada.
You are independent and highly motivated, approaching your work with dedication, energy and enthusiasm. You are creative and innovative in your approach, able to take responsibility for your work and see it through to finished products with little oversight.
You demonstrate and can articulate an understanding of the public interest. You are aware of and can articulate elements of Canada’s colonial history and understand the continuing effects of on-going intergenerational trauma as well as systemic inequities.
You are flexible and adaptable and possess a sense of adventure and curiosity. Since many of our clients are based in NWT’s smaller communities, our team members typically travel frequently and are comfortable with long drives and /or traveling on small planes. Our team members are also adaptable, willing to share rooms (rarely) when required because of limited accommodations in communities or willing to stay in billeted homes (also rarely) or more informal BnB style accommodations (frequently).
Finally, you possess a number of the following process and content skills. As planning is a diverse field, you need not hold all of these skills but please ensure that your application and cv highlights which areas most strongly meet your own work experience and strengths.
Process and general strengths
Excellent writing skills. An ability to write succinctly and clearly. Demonstrated ability to structure complex ideas into clear narratives. Writing samples will be requested and short-listed candidates will be asked to participate in a writing exercise as part of the application process.
Strong Facilitation skills. Experience facilitating a diversity of groups, preferably in cross-cultural environments.
Oral communication. You have a proven ability to share complex ideas in plain language terms, avoiding jargon.
Negotiation. Experience supporting negotiated processes.
Mediation. Experience handling and diffusing settings or discussions that are emotionally charged.
Time Management. Ability to juggle multiple projects and deadlines, triaging according to relevant criteria and delegating as necessary. You handle pressure well and rise to a fast-paced work environment.
Strong computer skills. Highly proficient in all Microsoft Office programs with highly proficient typing skills. Ability to independently troubleshoot basic software issues.
Exceptional research skills. Proven experience in qualitative and/or quantitative research with a demonstrated ability to apply research skills to a variety of topics.
Exceptional interpersonal skills. You are at ease with people and in turn able to make others feel at ease. You work well with others and foster and maintain effective working relationships. You are an active listener and work with humility.
Financial management. Experience developing and reporting on complex budgets. You will be able to not only manage projects internally but also help clients work within available funding pots.
Content expertise
Familiarity with current precedents in Indigenous and administrative law
Strong content expertise in at least one of the following areas (a mix of content expertise will be preferred):
Energy planning
Housing planning
Strategic planning
Land use planning and urban design
Natural resource management and planning
Community economic development and business planning
Tourism planning
Environmental or natural sciences
Experience intervening in environmental regulatory processes (if not in NWT then elsewhere in Canada)
Knowledge of program evaluation processes and experience designing and evaluating programs.
Knowledge of decision-making frameworks and experience designing and implementing structured decision-making processes
Experience in project management related to site and building development.
Experience establishing, implementing
Additional software expertise: graphic programs, urban design programs, ArcGis and/or other mapping programs
Additional qualifications
Current and good standing full member of the Canadian Institute of Planners (MCIP) or ability and willingness to meet eligibility and enrol as a candidate Planner.
Class five drivers license (preferred, or willingness to work to secure this)
About Us
PlanIt North is a Yellowknife-based firm that works primarily with clients in the Northwest Territories to build healthy, vibrant communities. We are a values-based company and we strive to create enabling work environments that meet not only direct project objectives but also support meaningful involvement of those who will be implementing plans in the long-term.
We are also committed to ensuring a positive and supportive work environment. We are a small team that works collaboratively and openly. PlanIt North provides substantial flexibility to ensure working environments that are healthy for individuals and families and we provide a comprehensive benefits package and support for continued professional development. We ensure that our staff are constantly challenged and supported in their working environments by partnering with several independent northern consultants as well as firms elsewhere in Canada to create strong and supportive teams.
As PlanIt North is a small and relatively new company, you will have substantial opportunity to lead and benefit from the company’s development over time.
For applicants considering this opportunity from away, Yellowknife is a remarkable city — it is a culturally diverse, artistically active, young community with all the amenities of a capital city and unique access to wilderness. Those who appreciate nature and the outdoors and particularly those who know how to make the most of a predominate winter city are likely to thrive here (though much is said for our sunny, dry summers with 24 hour light).
How to Apply
to jenmask planitnorth.ca*