Planner II (Special Projects Office)

With a strong commitment to being a City of Reconciliation, we invite you to join our dedicated team and become part of an innovative, inclusive, and engaging workplace. A career with the City of Vancouver and within the broader public service, offers meaningful work where you play a key role in ensuring equitable access to services, upholding ethical governance, and supporting the needs of citizens with integrity and dedication.

Main Purpose and Function

The Planner II is an integral part of the Special Projects Office (SPO) team within the Planning, Urban Design and Sustainability (PDS) Department. The position plays a key role in liaising with other City departments and external agencies and is responsible for a range of tasks from policy development to implementation.

The Planner II will play a lead role in advancing a variety of SPO work and current projects include implementation of the Broadway Plan (including detailed planning for the Vancouver General Hospital and Vancouver Community College campuses), Northeast False Creek Plan, Central Waterfront planning, UBCx planning, Jericho Lands, Heather Lands, and East Fraser Lands.

The Planner II reports to a Senior Planner under the Director of the SPO and works with other Planners, Planning Analysts and Planning Assistants in the team and department. They will also interact with community organizations, businesses, government agencies, residents, property owners, developers, consultants and other City departments.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

In addition to involvement in a wide range of planning tasks, the incumbent:

• Prepares and manages work programs.
• Supervises staff.
• Manages consultancies and project budgets.
• Writes reports, including complex Council reports.
• Presents complex material to staff, the public and City Council.
• Establishes collaborative working relationships with community organizations, businesses, government agencies, residents, property owners, developers and other stakeholders.
• Designs, attends and facilitates community events that could include community forums, workshops and meetings (including weekday evenings and weekends).
• Analyzes a wide variety of supporting data and information to assist in the recommendation of planning policy, including land use, demographic trends, public benefit needs assessments, economic studies and public surveys.
• Co-ordinates and implements projects in conjunction with citizen groups, BIAs and non-profit organisations where necessary.
• Answers enquiries and corresponds with the public and other departments on matters related to major projects, development, policies and by-laws.
• Reviews rezoning and development permit application proposals.
• Consults with and advises staff of other departments on matters related to major projects assignments.
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

Qualification
Education and Experience:

• A post-secondary degree in Planning recognised by the Canadian Institute of Planners and a minimum of 2 years professional work in policy planning and project management preferably supplemented by experience supervising and mentoring staff or an equivalent combination of post secondary education and experience.
• Membership or eligibility for membership in Canadian Institute of Planners is desirable.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated understanding of City planning processes.
• Detailed knowledge and experience of developing and interpreting City planning policies and regulations, including zoning by-laws.
• Strong project management skills, including being able to perform in a high-pressure environment to achieve multiple objectives within defined timelines.
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills, working independently and collaboratively with teams and the public.
• A strong cultural awareness of Indigenous and diverse cultural communities.
• Initiative and independent judgment, tact/diplomacy and professionalism in dealing with a variety of people and situations, and a demonstrated ability to deal with conflict.
• Experience in developing and implementing a range of community engagement processes to include a broad range of public and stakeholder groups.
• Ability to clearly communicate complex planning issues through Council reports and presentations.
• Experience in producing and communicating with visual materials is desirable.
• Full working knowledge of Microsoft Office, GIS, SketchUp, and the Adobe Creative Suite is desirable.

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work a hybrid work week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite.  At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

Business Unit/Department:  Planning, Urban Design & Sustainability 

Affiliation:  CUPE 15 Non Pks 

Employment Type:  Regular Full Time

Position Start Date: October 2026

Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-031: $59.99 to $70.95 per hour

Application Close: September 13, 2026

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion . 

The City of Vancouver acknowledges that it is situated on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation). More about unceded traditional territories

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In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx. 5-10 minutes. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a summary of skills and experience related to the position.