PLANNER II 

(Regular Full Time)

Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN) is a self-governing First Nation that delivers a wide range of community services, including all of those typically delivered by municipalities. The Lands Department is responsible for the delivery of all planning and development related services.

TFN is seeking a qualified individual to join our Lands Department in the permanent full-time position of Planner II. Reporting to the Manager of Development Planning Services, the Planner II will be responsible for providing development review services and a wide range of land use planning and policy initiatives including researching, analyzing, preparing, and updating TFN’s land use and development regulations and policies.  

The Planner II will work closely with staff in the Lands Department, Municipal Infrastructure Department, Policy & Intergovernmental Affairs Department, and Legal Services. The successful incumbent will be expected to maintain effective working relationships with staff members, Chief and Council, community members and the public. 

Specific Responsibilities

• Processes development applications (zoning amendment, subdivision, development permit temporary use permit applications) and provides planning comments to support related permitting reviews (building permit, sign permit, event permit and business license applications), including review and analysis of land development proposals, research and preparation of reports for Executive Council consideration, interpretation and analysis of regional and local planning regulations and policies.
• Undertakes policy planning research, prepares and updates planning documents such as the Land Use Plan, Secondary Area Development Plans, and Supplementary Design Guidelines and Construction Specifications.
• Reviews and prepares amendments to TFN development regulations (such as zoning, subdivision and development, building, development permit, good neighbour, traffic and parking, tree, and animal control regulations) and works with Legal to prepare new regulations as needed.
• Provides professional planning advice and interpretation on planning documents.
• Acts as resources in the interpretation of TFN Laws and regulations for developers, consultants, TFN members and leaseholders
• Prepares reports and implementation documents for consideration by Executive Council on planning projects.
• Responds to requests for planning information from TFN members and leaseholders.
• Works with the TFN Compliance and Enforcement Team in the review of complaints and provides planning comments and enforcement considerations.
• Liaises with third party approval agencies and regional agencies where needed.
• Other duties as required

Qualifications

• University degree in Planning (e.g., Urban and Regional) from an accredited planning program. A relevant program with pertinent working experience may be considered.
• A Registered Professional Planner/membership with the Canadian Institute of Planners, or eligibility for membership.
• Three to five years’ experience in a similarly complex and diverse, rapidly growing municipal environment.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Excellent technical writing and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience in the review and recommendations for approval of development applications.
• Knowledge of municipal regulations and laws relating to planning applications and engineering specifications, including a clear understanding of their interrelationships.
• Knowledge of the functions and interactions of the various levels of government including federal, provincial, and municipal, and Treaty First Nations.
• Ability to respect confidentiality, and to communicate effectively and courteously with all levels of staff, external government agencies/authorities, the development community, TFN members and leaseholders.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, such as word processing, spreadsheet, database and presentation software applications, as well as Internet research abilities.
• Experience of using graphic design software.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.
• Capacity to respond quickly to changing demands and priorities under tight deadlines.
• Knowledge of configuration in the Tempest Prospero module is an asset.

Working Conditions

Work is performed primarily indoors in an office environment. Off-site travel is occasionally required to conduct site visits for construction projects, attend meetings, committees, conferences and training events.

Wages:  Pay scale for this position is $51.88 to $66.81per hour ($101,166 to $130,279 per annum) with excellent benefits including enrolment in the BC Municipal Pension Plan. Placement within the pay scale is based on a review of skills, experience & internal equity. 

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest; however, only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview. 

Pursuant to the Tsawwassen First Nation Government Employees Act, first priority in hiring among qualified applicants will be given to Tsawwassen Members, second priority to spouses (as defined in s. 3 (1) of the BC Family Law Act) of Tsawwassen Members, and third priority to members of other First Nations. If you fall within one of these categories and you wish to have this voluntary information considered as part of your application, please indicate the applicable category in your cover letter.