PLANNER URBAN FORESTRY

• Job ID: 58684
• Job Category: Policy, Planning & Research
• Division & Section: Parks, Forestry & Recreation, Urban Forestry
• Work Location: 18 Dyas Road, Toronto, Ontario
• Job Type & Duration: Full-time, 1 Permanent & 1 Temporary (12 Months) Vacancies 
• Hourly Rate and Wage Grade: $47.80 - $52.39
• Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week 
• Affiliation: L79 Full-time
• Number of Positions Open: 2
• Posting Period: 09-Oct-2025 to 24-Oct-2025
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Job Summary:

The Tree Protection and Plan Review section of Urban Forestry is looking for Urban Forestry Planners for the Ravine & Natural Feature Protection (RNFP) and Transit and Linear Infrastructure units.

Urban Forestry Planners in the RNFP unit report to the Project Manager, RNFP and act as an Urban Forestry lead in providing technical and professional comments to the Development Review Division regarding development applications as they relate to the RNFP By-law Chapters, as well as, City Policies such as Official Plan Policies on the Natural Environment and Toronto Green Standard. This work includes providing technical expertise on how to mitigate tree and ravine impacts resulting from these proposals and providing direction on how to plant, restore or compensate for these impacts.  Urban Forestry Planners in the RNFP unit also analyze and process ravine permit applications and variance/consent applications from Committee of Adjustment.

Urban Forestry Planners in the Transit unit report to the Project Manager, Transit and Linear Infrastructure and act as an Urban Forestry lead in providing technical and professional comments to Transit Expansion regarding Metrolinx and City transit circulations as they relate to Chapters 608, 658 and 813 of the City of Toronto Municipal Code, as well as, City Policies such as the Toronto Green Standard. This work includes providing technical expertise on how to mitigate tree and ravine impacts resulting from these proposals and providing direction on how to plant, restore or compensate for these impacts. 

Major Responsibilities:

• Reviews and evaluates permit applications within the City's Ravine & Natural Feature Protection areas, parks, and ROW
• Provides comments to City staff regarding capital projects as they relate to protection of ravines and natural areas or to protection and planting of trees. Reviews, evaluates and comments on municipal planning and development policies and development applications with respect to the Urban Forestry programs, policies, and regulation requirements. Including administering parkland conveyance procedure Reviews planning and/or transit documents, construction drawings, restoration and land management plans, comprehensive environmental reports and identifies where City policy and program interests are affected, provides comments with respect to tree preservation and urban forestry conservation programs, policies and regulatory requirements.
• Provides support to Planning and/or the City Transit Expansion Division to achieve the Natural Heritage and forestry-related policies of the Official Plan as they relate to Urban Forestry objectives including canopy expansion, tree protection, green infrastructure and natural heritage conservation 
• Reviews, develops and recommends forestry policy and procedures, coordinating delivery of service city-wide
• Prepares reports to management and City Council concerning urban forestry policy, by-law matters and other relevant legislation. 
• Develops and maintains effective client relations with City staff, Conservation Authority staff, Metrolinx, developers, architects, arborists, geotechnical engineers, contractors, consultants, and general public.  
• Represents forestry issues to community groups and interested parties, organizing and conducting planting programs and projects, commenting on development impacts at community consultation meetings involving city staff, developers, residents, and community. 
• Communicates information to contractors, consultants, colleagues and the public to enable them to understand directions and city requirements, conditions of permit issuance or forest management actions that are being recommended.
• Provides technical and professional support for forestry projects and programs, as related to Bylaw enforcement, forest management, and development of forestry policies, practices, standards and specifications.
• Prepares terms of reference for contract issuance, coordinates implementation, reviews task completion and responds to deficiencies/omissions in contract completion. 
• Develops and collaborates on design proposals for planting and ecological restoration projects and arranges budgets and necessary approvals from government agencies, community groups, etc., and coordinates implementation of projects. 
• Represents the City interests at meetings, committees, hearings, tribunals and mediation. 
• Prepares graphic and written material for the purpose of communicating forestry practices and standards.
• Maintains service delivery records, correspondence and files in accordance.

Key Qualifications:
Your application must describe your qualifications as they relate to: 

1. Secondary degree in Forestry, Ecology, or related discipline, combined with related work experience in environmental planning or equivalent combination of education and experience.
2. Extensive experience in urban forestry and environmental planning, including evaluation of development plans and forest management plans.
3. Considerable experience in the identification of native plants and plant communities in Southern Ontario.
4. Considerable experience in the preparation of forest management plans and planting plans and techniques that may be used in restoring and managing natural forest systems.
5. Considerable experience leading and being part of multidisciplinary teams, and working cooperatively with self-directed workgroups, community groups and other divisions and agencies.
6. Possession of a valid Ontario Driver's License Class "G", ability to obtain a City driver's permit, and access to a personal vehicle for work-related purposes.

You must also have:

• Knowledge of Municipal Code Chapter 658 (Ravine and Natural Feature Protection), Chapter 813 (Trees), and Chapter 608 (Parks) and the ability to administrate the provisions of these Bylaws.
• Knowledge of Official Plan Policies on the Natural Environment (Section 3.4) and the ability to interpret and apply the provisions of these Policies.
• Knowledge of Metrolinx and City's transit projects and their potential impacts to trees and urban forest.
• Knowledge of urban forestry management and related legislation, including a good understanding of ecosystem features and functions, the characteristics of tree growth, assessing tree hazards, etc.
• Ability to read construction plans and related reports and to evaluate the impact of proposed construction on regulated trees and natural areas on private lands and public road allowance and to recommend workable amendments to ensure compliance to the Toronto Green Standard and applicable Tree By-law sections.
• Ability to plan, organize and manage multiple projects/assignments with competing deadlines including establishing efficient and effective work processes.
• Ability to use good judgement, analytical and problem-solving skills in formulating effective decisions with regard to By-law administration.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with Councillors, all levels of staff and the public in representing city policy and program interests, including effectively negotiating By-law related problem resolutions within the limitations of the By-law
• Ability to handle challenging clients and service situations, including conflict resolution.
• Ability to write clear, grammatically correct, comprehensive technical reports and accurate responses to the public, staff and City Councillors.
• Ability to use a computer and hand held device with good keyboarding skills and proficiency in the use of standard spreadsheets, word processing, computer graphic and database software.
• Graphic and presentation communication skills with the ability to create presentations that include illustrations.
• Understanding of applicable workplace legislation and policies as pertains to workers including the Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations, Toronto Public Service By-law, Human Rights and Anti-Harassment Policy; Conflict of Interest Policy and Fraud Policy.
  

Asset

• Working knowledge of IBM Maximo is an asset.
  
  

Hybrid Work Program

The City of Toronto's Workplace Modernization Program is re-imagining how we work in our workplace. Its vision is to provide flexibility to our employees around how we work and where we work. It will also support a better work-life balance, improved job satisfaction and employee engagement. Improving the work experience is at the core of this program and everyone plays a significant role in its realization. We have introduced the Hybrid Work Program which supports amore modern and flexible way of working. The hybrid approach will allow us to keep the best of remote work while integrating the important aspects of in-person collaboration and team-work.

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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.