Planner II - Urban Design 

Position Summary

Reporting to the Manager of Heritage and Urban Design, the Urban Designer is part of a team providing urban design and heritage planning services to the City. In the position of a Planner II – Urban Design, you will interpret and implement the City's Official Plan policies and citywide Urban Design Guidelines, provide urban design comments on a variety of complex planning applications, undertake built form modelling as input into various City initiated projects, proposed developments and other planning studies; and participate, develop, and provide support on public realm initiatives. You will assist with ongoing research and formulation of urban design principles, policies, guidelines and practices. You may also be required to represent the City as an urban design expert witness at Ontario Land Tribunal hearings.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Attend and participate in internal and external pre-consultation meetings to review preliminary proposals and submission material requirements, and help identify preliminary urban design concerns per the City’s objectives and strategic priorities. 
• Provide urban design comments as input in the review of development applications ranging from infill developments, plans of subdivision, and low, medium, and high-density mixed-use proposals, as well as heritage-related developments.
• Attend meetings with applicants and provide guidance and/or alternative design solutions in support of the City’s urban design policy objectives.
• Participate in ongoing citywide studies and provide expert urban design advise to inform the outcome of various planning policies and design guidelines, including urban design initiatives related to the public realm and the City’s Public Art Policy.
• Develop, recommend, and implement innovative urban design approaches through conceptual drawings and diagrams, built form modelling, and public realm and streetscape strategies.
• Administer the City’s Architectural Design Control process.
• Undertake research on applicable urban design topics and trends, and maintain an awareness of developments, advancements and Best Practices in the architecture and urban design fields to retain technical competency.
• Undertake built form modelling as input to the Official Plan and other planning studies.
• Prepare written reports, guidelines, policies, and implementing strategies supplemented by drawings.
• Generate, assist, and provide input into issues lists, witness statements and furnishing alternative design concepts and supporting illustrations and diagrams for Ontario Land Tribunal appeals.
• May be required to represent the city as an urban design expert witness at Ontario Land Tribunal hearings.
• Perform other duties as assigned which are directly related to the major responsibilities of the job, such as liaising with other departments, public agencies, the public and other stakeholders. 
• Provide advice and recommendations to management staff and consultants and attend meetings of Council as well as Committees of Council when necessary.
• Respond to enquiries and provide clarification regarding submission requirements, as well as provide information and clarification regarding the City's urban design guidelines.
• Other duties as assigned. 
   

Education and Experience

• Post-secondary education in architecture, urban design, planning (with an urban design focus), or a related discipline is mandatory.
• 2 to 4 years of continuous work experience in the field of architecture, urban design, or a related field is required. 
• Municipal experience is an asset.
• Membership in OPPI, and/or other professional organizations in the field of urban design, and an RPP designation will be considered a strong asset.
   

Required Skills/Knowledge

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of architecture and built form.
• Provides expert urban design opinions that help shape municipal policies and guidelines.
• Strong working knowledge and proficiency in industry softwares including Microsoft Office Suite, SketchUp, AutoCAD, Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) is a requirement.
• Proven organizational skills and the ability to work within tight deadlines and competing priorities.
• Knowledge of the planning process and related legislation.
• Highly developed technical, analytical, design, graphic, interpretation, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience working with public and private agencies.
• Concise and clear, report writing and guideline writing skills.
• Creating visually appealing presentations and documents for varying audiences.
• Conducting research and analysis of urban design trends and best practices.
• Effective negotiation and conflict resolution skills to balance and prioritize political, community and other stakeholder interests in the development and design of projects.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with minimal supervision.

Other requirements/assets

• Demonstrate the City’s corporate values of care, collaboration, courage and service.
• Possess a valid Ontario Class “G” driver’s license.
• Access to a vehicle to conduct site visits.
• Proof of vehicle insurance. 

Leadership Competencies