Graduate Planner

Help us build the future and we’ll help you build a rewarding and purposeful career.

Our global network is made up of architects, designers, planners, engineers, and environmental scientists all working towards the same goal.  
Join a team that brings inspirational architecture, landscapes, townscapes and places to our world, and we’ll provide you unlimited space to grow.

What are we looking for?

GHD has a fantastic opportunity for an upcoming graduate to join our Property & Building - Urban Planning & Land Development team in Ontario as a Graduate Planner, Land Development. This position will give you the exposure to land development assessments, proposals, designs and applications, to obtain land use approvals and registrations and to develop planning documents for development clients.  

Be part of the dynamic culture! Our workplace thrives on a hybrid model, combining in-office collaboration and flexibility. Join us in office, three days a week to contribute, connect and excel in our vibrant environment.

 Working with an energetic and high performing team, this position offers a variety of work and will see you involved in:

• Data Collection and Analysis: Collate and analyze data using preset tools, methods, and formats. Involves working independently.
• Internal Communications: Help others get the most out of internal communications systems by offering support and advice.
• Operational Compliance: Identify, within the team, instances of noncompliance with the organization's policies and procedures and/or relevant regulatory codes and codes of conduct, reporting these instances and escalating issues as appropriate.
• Public/Government Relations Campaign Execution: Deliver specified outcomes and provide others with expert advice while working within established public relations, government relations, regulation, and registration programs.
• Personal Capability Building: Develop own capabilities by participating in assessment and development planning activities as well as formal and informal training and coaching; gain or maintain external professional accreditation, where relevant, to improve performance and fulfill personal potential. Maintain an understanding of relevant technology, external regulation, and industry best practices through ongoing education, attending conferences, and reading specialist media.
• Public/Government Relations Campaign Planning: Contribute to the development of the planning of tactical public relations campaign.
• External Communications: Help others get the most out of external communications systems by offering support and advice.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Assist with stakeholder engagement by arranging actions, meetings, events, and supporting materials to promote stakeholder understanding and commitment.
• Public/Government Relations Campaign Management: Carry out supplier and contract management tasks to support public relations and government relations campaigns.
• Document Preparation: Organize and prepare complex documents using a variety of applications for technology devices, such as standard office software. Also responsible for gathering and summarizing data for special reports.
• Content Creation: Collate and summarize information for use in developing content and write first drafts of straightforward content for print or websites.
• Prepare a variety of planning applications including draft plan of subdivision, zoning by-law amendment, official plan amendment, site plan approval and minor variance applications.  
• Assist with the processing of land use planning applications in accordance with applicable provincial legislation and municipal regulations and policies  
• Assist in coordinating a multi-disciplinary team of consultants to meet project timelines  
• Write and prepare a range of planning documents including official pan amendments and zoning by-law amendments and correspondence to municipal staff and agencies  
• Assist Senior Planners and the Planning Manager in the preparation of Planning Justification Reports  
• Attend Committee of Adjustment hearings, council public meetings and community consultation meetings in the evening hours with the Senior Planner or Planning Manager as required  
• Assist in preparing visual materials including exhibits and photographs for public meeting presentations and reports.  
• Organize and maintain department records, files and the Planning Library.  
• Providing research and support to senior staff, including research related to planning applications and research for due diligence studies  

What you will bring to the Team:

• Post-secondary degree in Urban and Regional Planning or similar degree program / related field  
• Interest in or working knowledge of the land use planning, design and approval process  
• Prior experience in land development planning, preferably in a consulting environment is an asset  
• Eligibility for membership in the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI)  
• Working knowledge and understanding of the principles and practices of urban planning, applicable legislation and regulatory requirements in Ontario and evolving trends in growth management, urban design and built form  
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a team player attitude  
• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills  
• Valid G-class driver’s license 

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As a diverse and inclusive organization, we encourage individual achievement and recognize the strength of a diverse workforce. GHD is an equal opportunity employer. Upon request, GHD will provide reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment and selection process.