Senior Planner - Special Projects

Position Type:

Contract NU (Full Time) (Fixed Term)

Closing Date:

November 25, 2026

Salary/Wage Range:

$104,173.00 - $130,216.00

Working for the City of Burlington

A great career is closer than you think. Come work for the City of Burlington, where you'll be joining an innovative and progressive workplace focused on building a 21st century city that respects the diversity of our residents, visitors and employees; and prioritizes continuous opportunities for you to learn and grow.

We don't just spend time attracting the best talent. We spend time and resources to keep the best talent. This may include: flexible working hours, mobile and hybrid working arrangements, a great pension and benefits package, as well as programs to foster innovation and leadership.

Type of Vacancy

Existing Vacancy

Hours of Work

35 hours per week

Contract Length

Up to 10 months

Department

Community Planning

Location

This position is eligible for a hybrid work model. When attending an event or meeting in person, your primary office location will be based out of City Hall, 426 Brant Street, Burlington. Work location is subject to change at the discretion of the City due to operational demands. Effective September 2027, this role will be required to be onsite 50% of the time each month.

Position Overview

The City of Burlington is actively growing! As the City evolves its organizational structure to meet the demands of today and the future, we have created some exciting new positions to support this initiative. The Community Planning department is expanding, and we are hiring a new Senior Planner to undertake Special Projects related to planning work.

This position reports to the Supervisor of Special Projects and Urban Design, and will be responsible for leading various special projects, planning studies, research and analysis, and the preparation, authoring and presentation of reports and recommendations for consideration by City Council.

Responsibilities

As a key member of our team, the Senior Planner - Special Projects will be responsible for:

• Project management of the New Zoning By-law Project, including monitoring the consultant workplan, and ensuring high quality deliverables are received within scope, budget and on time;
• Preparing reports and recommendations for the consideration of Committee and Council, carrying out on-going consultation with all stakeholders, and undertaking public consultation as required including statutory public notification;
• Leading and facilitating public and stakeholder engagement;
• Undertaking and leading special projects and complex studies, research projects and data analysis to address emerging issues related to development regulations, including land uses, built form, development permit systems, and other planning related issues with minimum supervision;
• Providing professional advice to cross-departmental working team, including assigning work, setting milestones and timelines;
• Working directly with consultants on special projects and planning studies;
• Providing responses to inquiries from the public and stakeholders on special projects, planning and zoning matters;
• Appearing before the Ontario Land Tribunal and other tribunals to give expert evidence on the City’s behalf as it relates to planning and zoning matters;
• Duties and responsibilities are inclusive, but not limited to the above.

Requirements

Qualified applicants will have a University Degree in Planning or a related field. Membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) or in the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) is required. Qualified applicants must have over four (4) years of related planning and zoning analysis/formulation/implementation experience, including extensive project management experience, and preferably operating at a senior level and in a municipal environment.

The Senior Planner, Special Projects will have strong project management skills, be customer-focused and able to foster an environment of communication and collaboration. Additionally, the successful applicant will demonstrate the ability to navigate the political environment, knowledge of the Planning Act, Provincial Policy Statement, Provincial Plans, and the Regional and Local Planning Policy Framework, and knowledge of the development application process. We are seeking an individual with excellent verbal and written communication skills, superior customer service skills, with the ability to effectively manage projects and critical thinking skills.

Accommodations

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the City of Burlington accommodates the individual needs of applicants with disabilities within the recruitment process. Please call us at 905-335-7602 or email us at: [email protected] if you require accommodation to ensure your equal participation in the recruitment and selection process.

Note to Applicants:

We thank all those who apply for positions, but only those applicants who are invited for an interview will be contacted.