Parks Land Use Planner

Position Title: Parks Land Use Planner

Position Status: Full-Time Regular

Department: Regional Parks

Employee Group: Teamsters Local 31

Location: 4515 Central Boulevard, Burnaby

Salary Range/ Wage Rate: PG T31 $4,119.45 - $4,871.28 bi-weekly

Our Parks & Environment Department is seeking a Parks Land Use Planner who will bring their significant experience in large scale protected areas planning and land acquisition to support the vision of a system of protected and resilient regional parks and greenways that provide opportunities for people to connect with nature. An understanding of processes and legislative requirements related to land use planning and land assembly are essential. This position is a senior member of the team who will lead and implement strategic plans such as the Regional Parks Plan and Regional Parks Land Acquisition Plan.

You are:

• Experienced in protected areas planning, land assembly and acquisition, and have a demonstrated ability to deliver strategic priorities.
• An excellent communicator, negotiator and relationship builder, able to work with many different disciplines, staff, and decision makers and can translate technical information into easily understandable oral, written, and graphic forms.
• Collaborative and experienced project manager.
• Self-motivated and a problem solver able to independently resolve complex barriers to implementation.
• You are passionate about nature and the environment.

This role:

• Develops program and project level plans and strategies to ensure the implementation of a major Regional Parks strategic plan in the acquisition of land; contributes to the development of departmental strategies and major land conservation initiatives.
• Coordinates and directs required assessments and evaluates the findings of technical staff, internal and external professionals and consultants as it relates to legal, environmental, geotechnical, historical, financial implications of land parcels; develops terms of reference for and procures appraisals.
• Identifies and assesses land acquisition opportunities; recommends the acquisition and transfer of lands through commercial and non-market transactions and partnerships; ensures that recommendations satisfy transactional, legislative, policy, planning, contractual and budgetary requirements.
• Identifies and independently resolves complex barriers to the implementation of major regional parks plans with significant administrative, legal and stakeholder constraints; obtains legal clarifications and opinions; develops municipal operating agreements; proposes revisions to governmental regulations.
• Oversees and conducts various planning, biophysical and recreation assessments of land in planning for prospective acquisitions; coordinates the preparation of surveys including mapping, compilation and measurement of land; prepares detailed reports cataloguing the natural and recreational values of land and planning considerations for areas of interest; recommends the inclusion or removal of land parcels from the catalogue of lands for acquisition.
• Prepares and presents reports to the Board and Regional Parks Committee to make the case for and defend land proposals.
• Coordinates and leads negotiations for the acquisition of land in collaboration with Real Estate Services; works with planners to integrate acquired lands into the regional system.
• Cultivates relationships and works independently and closely with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders such as senior government, agencies, organizations, First Nations, municipalities, owners, professional consultants, staff, senior management and elected officials as required in the work.
• Leads in the review of major external development proposals to assess impacts from a parks planning perspective, and responds to proponents; reviews and may direct staff in evaluating municipal proposals to ensure alignment with regional objectives.
• Provides advice and assistance to staff in resolving complex land matters such as those related to trespass, contamination, ownership or expropriation; reviews a variety of internal plans to ensure alignment to land acquisition objectives and priorities.
• Evaluates and proposes amendments for bylaws, policies, regulations and zoning as required; prepares and submits applications related to land acquisition and development as required.
• Prepares and maintains corporate records related to land acquisitions and other interests obtained or granted; searches, reviews and retains legal charges, survey plans and historical documents of relevance.
• Performs related work as required.

To be successful, you have:

• University graduation at the Master’s level and extensive related experience such as in land economics, planning, natural resources management, ecology, appraisal and negotiations; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, methods, techniques and objectives of parks system, conservation, recreation and environmental planning and design, and of land appraisal and assessment.
• Thorough knowledge of the policies, bylaws, regulations and legislation governing the work and of applicable departmental objectives, policies, rules and regulations.
• Considerable knowledge of the market and various methods of transaction for acquisitions, including commercial, non-market and partnerships.
• Considerable knowledge of land economics, regional systems, ecologies and natural assets as related to the work performed.
• Ability to develop plans and strategies to ensure the implementation of a major Regional Parks strategic plan in the acquisition of land, and to coordinate all related requirements.
• Ability to identify, assess and recommend the acquisition of lands through commercial and non-market transactions and partnerships.
• Ability to work independently and draw on experience to determine solutions to complex problems that enable the implementation of plans and strategies.
• Ability to mitigate organizational risks and liabilities in the coordination and evaluation of various technical and professional assessments and appraisals in relation to land acquisitions.
• Ability to work within significant time constraints and to work irregular hours as required in order to execute the purchase of lands.
• Ability to act as a departmental representative and advise media relations on communications related to the work.
• Ability to cultivate relationships with and communicate confidently and clearly to various stakeholders such as political decision makers, senior management, external agencies, and land owners.
• Effective facilitation, negotiation, problem solving and conflict resolution skills.
• Driver’s Licence for the Province of British Columbia.

Our Vision:

Metro Vancouver embraces collaboration and innovation in providing sustainable regional services that contribute to a livable and resilient region and a healthy natural environment for current and future generations.

Metro Vancouver employees proudly serve the region and demonstrate the behaviours and attributes of six leadership competencies: Accountability, Adaptability, Building and Nurturing Relationships, Communication, Continuous Learning, and Strategic Thinking and Action.

At Metro Vancouver, we are committed to cultivating a diverse, safe, equitable, and inclusive work environment for all. We strive to attract and retain a talented, diverse workforce that is reflective of the region we serve. If an accommodation is required during the recruitment and selection process, please contact [email protected] for support. Learn more about our commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion here.

Please follow this link https://metrovancouver.org/about-us/careers to our Careers page where you can submit your application by January 20, 2025.