Overview
Position Summary:
The Senior Planner – Environmental supports the development of policies, plans, strategies, and initiatives that align with Provincial and City environmental legislation, while offering expertise on environmental, resource management, and ecological matters associated with a variety of development applications and policy planning projects.
Responsible To:
Senior Manager of Current Development
Supervises:
N/A
Responsible For:
Lead and manage strategic environmental planning and policy direction for the City, and the processing of environmental studies completed in support of development proposals and applications.
Lead the review of planning applications relative to environmental and natural heritage planning matters (OPA, ZBA, subdivisions, consents, site plan applications). Review and comment on Environmental Impact Studies, Environmental Site Assessments, Restoration and Monitoring Plans, and other such studies or plans.
Lead and manage environmental and natural heritage planning policy, in coordination with the Long-Range Planning Initiatives and Policy teams, relative to various policy documents and background studies.
Provide technical guidance for Environmental Assessments including Municipal Class Environmental Assessment, as needed.
Lead the City’s urban forest, tree preservation and compensation, and woodland management policy. Review tree preservation plans, update tree cutting by-law as necessary.
Lead environmental discussions with applicants, agencies and consultants to ensure proper ecological and policy implementation.
Collaborate with Conservation Authority, NEC, provincial agencies, and other stakeholders relative to natural heritage and environmental planning matters.
Undertake research and analysis to develop strategic land use and planning policies, plans, strategies and guidelines in keeping with Provincial plans and policies.
Prepare staff reports and make presentations to Council, committees and at public information sessions as required.
Manage the review and preparation of feedback on Provincial and other government agency policies, plans, strategies and initiatives. Interpret municipal and provincial planning documents and procedures for staff, agencies, developers and public.
Prepare study terms of reference and manage technical consultants related to matters such as the City’s urban forest, woodland management, land use, green infrastructure, and natural heritage.
Prepare professional evidence and provide expert testimony before legislative committees, tribunals, commissions as it relates to natural heritage and environmental planning matters.Prepare public notices, reports, policies, by-laws, agreements and guidelines.
Perform other duties as required.
Position Requirements:
University degree in Environmental Planning, Environmental Sciences or a closely related field
Minimum five (5) years work experience in a similar role.
Registered Professional Planner (RPP) designation and accreditation by the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI), or eligibility for membership preferred.
Strong working knowledge of provincial (including PPS 2024), regional, and municipal environmental and natural heritage policy frameworks.
Working knowledge of environmental legislation, regulations, permits, policies and approvals (e.g., Ontario Environmental Assessment Act, Endangered Species Act, Species Conservation Act, Conservation Authorities Act, etc.)
Applied, technical knowledge of the principles and practices of planning, applicable planning legislation and regulations, and provincial and regional guidelines and policies, such as the Planning Act is essential.
Working knowledge of the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System and the Environmental land classification system.
Class “G” driver’s licence.
Working Conditions:
Standard office environment and site visits required .
Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
4-day compressed work week option available.
Apply online through Workday at https://niagarafalls.ca/city-government/employment/#
