Planner 2 (Child Care)

Reporting directly to the Manager, the Planner 2 in Community Social Development provides leadership and subject matter expertise in child care planning, development and best practices to City Council and other City Departments as they relate to policy planning, strategic development, service delivery and community engagement. The incumbent is responsible for developing and implementing existing and new policies and initiatives; establishing and maintaining collaborative working relationships with child care providers in the community; providing subject matter expertise to City policies, practices and strategies; liaising with provincial and federal partners to ensure local initiatives are adequately resourced; analyzing and interpreting a variety of qualitative and quantitative data to support the understanding of child care planning, development and issues; and researching, applying for and managing government grants related to child care space creation, operations and support. An incumbent interacts with City Council, various City departments, external agencies and staff from senior levels of government; and prepares reports, memos and presentations to Council and the senior management team. The incumbent provides direction to Planner 1 and Planning Assistant positions by assigning and delegating work, coaching and mentoring, and ensuring quality and service standards are met.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provides subject matter expertise in child care planning, development and best practices to City Council and departments.
• Provides complex, specialized information, options and recommendations to City Council, senior management and other departments on child care planning, development, and best practices issues; and in the development and implementation of city-wide strategies, policies, projects and programs related to child care space creation, operations and support.
• Prepares reports for presentation to senior management and City Council.
• Provides a first point of contact for tactical and strategic response to complex issues occurring within the child care section and/or community.
• Provides subject matter expertise and process expertise to enhance the City's capacity to collaborate with key stakeholders and work towards advancing a comprehensive child care system.
• Represents the City on various internal and external committees, joint planning tables and inter-governmental bodies; and serves as the City's representative on various external committees and planning tables, comprising of community organizations, other municipalities and senior levels of government.
• Participates in internal cross-departmental working groups and provides a social development lens in the development and implementation of city-wide strategies, policies and projects; liaises with multidisciplinary internal and external stakeholders, such as staff from other City departments, senior levels of government, community agencies, societies, associations, other municipalities, elected officials and staff of other government organizations, businesses and the general public.
• Functions as a key contact for child care providers, families, child care funders and regulators; and engages with the community on an ongoing basis.
• Provides direction to Planner 1 and Planning Assistant positions by assigning and delegating work and coaching and mentoring; ensures that quality and service standards are met and provides input into performance reviews and hiring; develops and monitors individual work plans for advancing department goals and objectives including specific actions to oversee, develop, or support the development and implementation of City policies, practices and strategies, such as the Official Community Plan, Social Development Strategy; and defines City priorities for leading collaborative initiatives with external stakeholders.
• Oversees the work of contractors, volunteers and practicum students on research and analysis, processes, programs, events, community engagement and projects related to child care.
• Researches, applies for and manages government grants related to child care space creation, operations and support.
• Prepares, manages and forecasts revenues and expenses for grant budgets and oversees budgets for programs and initiatives for the child care section including consultant expenses and child care reserves.
• Prepares comprehensive planning reports for submission to superiors, boards and commissions, and the City Council.
• Performs related work as required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, policies, theories and philosophy of community development, social planning and child care and how they can be applied to advance the child care creation and development and build community capacity.
• Considerable knowledge and understanding of the current child care context and issues facing groups and individuals in an urban setting and the best practices for mitigating those issues in a municipal context.
• Considerable knowledge of strategic planning, policy development, research, report writing, community development and project management.
• Considerable knowledge of the Canadian and BC community planning theory, practice and trends.
• Considerable knowledge of analytical and research techniques and methodology used in the work performed.
• Considerable knowledge of the economics, municipal finance, sociology and the current trends and developments applicable to child care planning.
• Considerable knowledge of the social structure, social issues and social service network of the City.
• Ability to identify, analyze and prioritize social problems and issues in the City and to develop and implement action plans to address these problems and issues.
• Ability to coordinate interdisciplinary projects involving complex and politically sensitive issues and set priorities for concurrent projects.
• Ability to prepare reports and make recommendations to government agencies and elected officials.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, external agencies, various stakeholder groups and the public with courtesy, tact and discretion.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
• Ability to coordinate and provide a wide range of child care planning policy research, analysis, options and recommendations, with minimal supervision, in a matrix management system.
• Ability to use REDMS or a similar Records Management System.
• Ability to successfully pass a Police Information Check.

Qualifications and Experience:

• A Bachelor's degree in Planning or a subject matter related to child care discipline (planning, social work, child and youth services, early childhood education, education).
• A Master's degree in a related discipline would be preferred
• A minimum of 5 years' related professional experience in planning, policy or legislation, social work, child and youth services, early childhood education or education practices, preferably in a municipal environment.
• An equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered.
• Membership or eligibility for membership in the Planning Institute of British Columbia (PIBC) or the Canadian Institute of Planners is desirable.
• Valid Class 5 Drivers Licence for the Province of British Columbia.

Working Conditions:

Duties are performed in an office environment. May encounter upset or unpleasant customers.