PLANNER PARKS DEVELOPMENT & PLANNING

• Job ID: 54639 
• Job Category: Policy, Planning & Research 
• Division & Section: Parks, Forestry & Recreation, PFR PPSI Parks Planning & Strategic Init
• Work Location: 55 John Street, Toronto ON
• Job Type & Duration: Full-time, Permanent
• Hourly Rate and Wage Grade: $50.41 - $55.24, TF0586, Wage Grade 15
• Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week
• Affiliation: L79 Full-time 
• Number of Positions Open: 1
• Posting Period: 05-Jun-2025 to 19-Jun-2025
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Major Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Manager or Senior Project Manager, the Planner will work with a team of professionals in Parks and Recreation division to expand and improve the City’s parks, trails and recreation services and facilities.  The primary function of this position is to support the planning and provision of parks and recreation facilities through the implementation of the Parks and Recreation Division Strategic Plans  including the Parks and Recreation Facilities Plan, Parkland Strategy, Ravine Strategy and local area studies. 

Specific duties may include but are not limited to:

• Identifies and develops plans and strategies related to the planning and development of new parks and recreation facilities for community and city-wide, area-based and facility specific initiatives.
• Conducts parkland planning studies and initiatives, , develops recommendations and drafts reports for Committees and Council.
• Reviews, evaluates, provides comments and makes recommendations on new park and facility opportunities, for reporting to Committees and Council or under staff’s delegated authority, with regard to the Planning Act and applicable Municipal Code, Parkland Strategy, Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan and Official Plan policies and legislation.
• Analyzes and documents demographic, social, economic, cultural and physical data, and produces maps, charts and other summary analysis to support preparation of reports and presentation materials on parkland and recreation facility planning affecting various geographic scales including local community, area-based and citywide.
• Coordinates research and analysis activities and surveys (e.g. Public Life Studies, park use and recreation use data, community surveys responding to planning studies etc.).
• Liaises and serves as the divisional representation with other City Divisions, Agencies, Boards and Commissions, and other public and private stakeholders as required.
• Review and comments on technical drawings and reports and undertakes land use planning analysis including parkland and facility needs assessments, geospatial analysis, application of Official Plan policies and zoning/land use designations, property information.
• Conducts site visits for parkland development, acquisition potential, connections and expansion of existing assets to ensure they meet divisional standards, programming and operating requirements as well as requirements reflected in the City of Toronto's Official Plan.
• Coordinates the environmental review of new parkland and other due diligence activities to ensure compliance with the Municipal Code and other relevant City policies.
• Provides information and advice in relation to requests from elected officials, City staff, property owners, consultants and the public, and prepares written responses as directed.
• Prepares reports, presentations and briefing materials for management and senior staff using office productivity, geospatial and statistical software or any other relevant programs as required, that are evidence-based and reflect a high degree of analysis
• Supports implementation of the approved capital budget for parks and recreation facilities and provides advice on new budget requests to advance land acquisition or park development.
• Provides advice to management on development of the Division/Branch/Section's capital budget for parks and recreation facilities development, and assist in managing the assigned budget by monitoring and reporting on expenditures.
• Supports the management of consultant studies, including developing terms of reference, day-to-day coordination to assist in ensuring that studies are completed on time and within budget, and preparing status reports.
• Serves as divisional representation and maintains effective communication and partnerships with other City Divisions, such as Corporate Real Estate Management, City Planning, Transportation Services and Legal Services, and agencies such as CreateTO, to advance property acquisitions and transfers including terms, due diligence, legal agreements and closing activities.
• Identifies, negotiations, mediates and resolves conflicting positions with groups that have varied objectives including developers, landowners, City Divisions and agencies, residents and elected officials, amongst others to meet the City’s parkland and recreation facility objectives and  align with other growth-related demands in the context of limited land and resources.
• Liaises with stakeholders and represents Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the City in meetings.
• Provide advice related to applications for Official Plan Amendments for parkland disposals.
• Develops and supports recommended amendments for new official plan policies and prepares reports to address the implications of parkland and recreation facility planning.
• Prepares terms of reference and study designs, conducts, reviews and contributes to parkland and recreation facility planning studies, develops recommendations and drafts report for Committees of Council.
• Supports the management of consultant studies, including day-to-day coordination and liaises with consultants to assist in ensuring that studies are completed on time and within budget.  Prepares status reports.
• Applies an equity lens to all work, supporting the Division’s commitment to the Reconciliation Action Plan, Action Plan to Confront Anti-Black Racism, and Multi-Year Accessibility Plan, among others.
• Serves as an expert witness at proceedings before mediations, tribunals or other judicial hearings on on parkland matters as they relate to the Official Plan, Municipal Code and/or the Planning Act, and prepares witness statements and other documentation to support the City and Council as required.
• Conducts research, data collection and analysis, including surveys, and supports public consultation activities such as public meetings, as required.
• Provides work direction on research, analysis and report writing assignments to staff.

Key Qualifications

Your application must describe your qualifications as they relate to:

1. Post-secondary education in urban and regional planning, urban geography, environmental studies or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
2. Considerable experience with park and open space planning, recreation planning, land use planning.
3. Considerable experience with reviewing plans, planning methodologies and processes including report writing, data collection, analysis and presentation, utilizing appropriate computer applications i.e., GIS, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Creative content applications e.g. Adobe Creative Cloud or equivalent.
4. Experience in public consultation and acting as an effective liaison between stakeholders (e.g. internal and external client groups) in planning for parks and recreation services.
5. Membership or eligibility for membership in the Canadian Institute of Planner and the Ontario Professional Planners Institute.

You must also have:

• Ability to understand, convey and use scientific and technical information in Parks, Forestry and Recreation planning processes and initiatives.
• Ability to anticipate and resolve issues related to parks and recreation planning.
• Ability to think critically and problem solve, with acute attention to detail.
• Ability to scope project assignments and manage and meet critical timelines for processing pertinent work assignments and/or applications and approvals.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, at a professional level with senior management, consultants, and staff from other divisions, other agencies and the public.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Familiarity with government legislation in the area of occupational health and safety.
• Understanding of relevant legislation, policy requirements and master plans related to park and recreation planning and development.

NOTE TO INTERNAL FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME CITY OF TORONTO EMPLOYEES:

City of Toronto employees must apply to full-time or part-time employment opportunities posted on the City's Internal Job Posting Portal.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion 

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity.

Accommodation

The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request. Learn more about the City’s Hiring Policies and Accommodation Process.