Position Summary:

As a member of the Community Growth and Infrastructure team, this position provides vision, strategic leadership and functional management of the current and long-range planning functions and management of projects in support of the municipality’s overall operations and development.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Management of current and long-range projects
• Oversight of inter-municipal planning processes
• Design, implementation and continuous improvement of the City’s statutory planning framework
• Oversight of the analysis and review of development proposals and applications
• Provide planning advice to staff, developers and the general public
• Inspection and enforcement of development projects, and Land Use Bylaw.

This position provides business, technical and managerial expertise in the attainment of annual goals and initiatives within the broader framework of the City/Department’s annual and 3 year Strategic and Business Plans.

Key Result Areas:

1. People leadership

The Planning and Development Services Manager builds cohesive interdependent teams that work to achieve their respective departmental objectives and, in collaboration with other departments, the overall vision of the City of Chestermere within the context of the Strategic Initiatives contained within the rolling 3-year Strategic Plan.

Main responsibilities:

• Provide management, supervision, leadership, and consultation to subordinate supervisors and staff, ensuring that staff are given appropriate latitude for creativity within the bounds of accountability, e.g., recruitment, selection, compensation and retention, staff scheduling, performance management, evaluation and development, mentoring and coaching.
• Provide staff with opportunities for training, career development, and execute a succession planning strategy.
• Build cohesive subordinate teams, e.g., provide opportunities so that team members know of and value each other’s expertise and skills, foster an environment where staff assume responsibility for each other’s professional development and growth, provide opportunities for staff to work across programs to optimize the use of resources and achieve results, encourage a passion for their work and a sense of team.
• Represent the Community Growth and Infrastructure team and act as a model of the desired values, attitudes, skills and behaviors that contribute to a safe, ethical work environment and healthy team functioning, often in the role of a champion of change.

2. Community Growth and Infrastructure Team

The Community Growth and Infrastructure team represents the values and beliefs of the City of Chestermere, both internally and externally, and networks effectively with stakeholders, the community, other professionals and service providers. Community Growth and Infrastructure Services Leadership team members build leaders throughout the organization and the community.

Main responsibilities:

• Demonstrate the City values of Collaboration, Humour and Fun, Integrity, Professionalism, and Accountability.
• Represent Planning and the greater good of the City by providing input into the development and implementation of Development and Infrastructure priorities regarding trends and concerns affecting staff and citizens, gaps in service, and opportunities for new services and partnerships.

• Ensure a safe and healthy work environment for staff, visitors, the community and stakeholders, e.g., participate in workplace safety initiatives, participate in formal and informal worksite safety and environment inspections and audits, ensure compliance and accountability with the City’s Health and Safety Management System.

• Responsible for using confidential information appropriately, and maintaining the confidentiality and security of all information related to the City.

3. Financial and administrative

The Planning and Development Services Manager is responsible for monitoring and reporting the financial and operational activities of their department aligned to their Business Plan, and for exploring potential partnerships, efficiencies and funding sources that might serve to enhance the services offered by the municipality.

Main responsibilities:

• Manage the identification and development of mitigation plans regarding potential financial, operational, safety and environmental risks, ensure that policies and procedures are adhered to within own area of responsibility.
• Manage the development, monitoring and reporting of the annual budgets and participate in the annual Community Growth and Infrastructure Services budget process, e.g., ensure that all expenditures are tracked, all activities are within operational budgets, prepare quarterly reporting to funders, ensure any potential budget difficulties are communicated to the Director, and corrected in a timely manner.
• Participate in the exploration of forward – thinking partnership and funding opportunities, cost and operating efficiencies.

4. Planning and Development Services Manager accountabilities

• Provide strategic, technical, project management, municipal and business expertise and advice in the conceptualization, development, implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of subordinate areas:
  • Management of current and long-range projects
  • Oversight of inter-municipal planning processes, e.g., Tri-Administrative Team, Chestermere/Rocky View/Calgary Inter-Municipal Development Plan, Inter-Municipal Circulations
  • Design, implementation and continuous improvement of the City’s statutory planning framework, e.g., Subdivision approvals, permit issuance
  • Oversight of the analysis and review of development proposals and applications, e.g., Area Structure Plans, Municipal Plan, Land Use Bylaw amendments, rezoning requests, variance applications, Subdivision and Development Appeal Board
  • Provide planning advice to staff, developers and the general public regarding legislative changes, legal matters and new developments, e.g., Executive Leadership Team, Council, community consultation, address public inquiries, including complaints.
  • Development services, e.g., provide advice, counsel and administration of the Development Permit processes.

• Represent Community Growth and Infrastructure Services as a subject matter expert and champion of capacity building and excellence in development services, e.g., advise development permit applicants or proposed applications of permitted, discretionary and non-permitted uses for the proposed area; recommend possible options available such as amending the Land Use Bylaw, provide advice regarding development and building requirements to the public; issue and sign Development Permits and Stamp of Compliance on Real Property Reports; provide advice regarding compliance; coordinate department correspondence, memos, reports, letters of compliance; monitor issues pertaining to the Land Use Bylaw and ensure enforcement and/or conduct investigations, develop and recommend appropriate course of action; negotiate, issue and administer complex Development Permits.

• Manage the assessment of the current and future needs of the Planning and Development Services team, gathering input and feedback, utilizing evaluation tools, analyzing and reporting statistical and evaluative data.
• Develop collaborative partnerships with local, regional, provincial and federal subject matter experts and service providers, e.g., peers in other municipalities, inter-municipal committees, consultants, developers, maintain an awareness of best practices and opportunities.
• Represent Development and Infrastructure Services internally as a subject matter expert and champion of capacity building and excellence in planning, e.g., undertake studies and provide recommendations to the CAO and/or Council regarding the feasibility of policies, projects, and services; manage the prioritization of needs within and amongst departments regarding prioritization and sequencing of work.
• Participate in the enhancement and implementation of City and Department Policies and Procedures within legislative, regulatory requirements and best practices, e.g., Area Structure Plans, Municipal Plan, Land Use Bylaw, Land Use Re-designations, Inter-Municipal Development Plan, Landscape Guidelines/Standards and Specifications, Subdivision and Development Appeal Board.
• Represent Planning and Development Services on a variety of professional associations and organizations, e.g., Canadian Institute of Planners, Planning Commission, Subdivision Approving Authority, Subdivision and Development Appeal Board, ad hoc planning committees.
• Participate in sensitive negotiations, contracts and agreements with service providers and partners.
• Provide support to the Director, Community Growth and Infrastructure Services on sensitive issues.
• Participate as a member of the Chestermere Emergency Response team in preparing and enabling the community to respond in the event of a local disaster or regional disaster.

Please note: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent of this job.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and activities required of this position.

Required education and experience:

• 1. • University Degree in Urban and Regional Planning or a related discipline.
     • 10 years of related and progressive experience in a Planning environment including at least 2 years of supervisory experience.
     • Previous experience in a municipal environment.

Required knowledge, skills, and attributes:

• Required certifications and/or documentation

• 2. • Full membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners (MCIP) and/or Registered Professional Planner (RPP) Designation from Alberta Professional Planners Institute (APPI).
     • Clear Criminal Record Check deemed satisfactory by the City.
     • Valid Class 5 Alberta Driver’s License and a Driver’s Abstract deemed satisfactory by the City.

• Expected skills and attributes

Technical Knowledge

• 3. • Extensive knowledge of Planning Law, including the Municipal Government Act (MGA) and relevant provincial and municipal planning statutes and plans.
     • Comprehensive understanding of governance and policy development, including interpretation and application of municipal policies and procedures.
     • Ability to review and interpret engineering plans, drawings, planning documents, and technical specifications.

Leadership & Management Skills

• 1. • Proven leadership and project management capabilities, including staff motivation, coaching, mentoring, performance management, and development.
     • Strategic thinking and decision-making skills, with the ability to solve complex problems and manage competing priorities.
     • Business acumen, including budget oversight, grant and contract management, and informed decision-making based on stakeholder input.
     • Ability to empower teams and lead through change, using innovative approaches in dynamic environments.

Communication & Relationship Building

• 1. • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with Council, staff, the public, and other stakeholders.
     • Strong interpersonal, negotiation, mediation, and facilitation skills.
     • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships, building trust, credibility, and rapport across diverse groups.
     • Skilled advocate, balancing organizational needs with those of staff and external stakeholders.

Analytical & Problem-Solving Abilities

• 1. • Highly developed analytical and critical thinking skills.
     • Creative problem-solving abilities, especially in politically sensitive or high-pressure situations.
     • High emotional intelligence, with the ability to handle confidential and sensitive issues appropriately.

Technical Proficiency

• 1. • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

• Preferred skills and attributes

• 2. • Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning or a related discipline.
     • Working knowledge of best practice managerial methods, techniques and practices.
     • Working knowledge of preparing and implementing budgets.
     • Experience working in a public sector environment with unionized and non-unionized employees is considered an asset.

Working Conditions:

• 3. • Normal office conditions.
     • Long periods of sitting, reading and concentration.