Halifax Regional Municipality is inviting applicants for the permanent, full-time position of Manager, Regional Policy in Planning & Development. Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is committed to reflecting the community it serves and recognizing Diversity and Inclusion as one of the Municipality’s core values. We have an Employment Equity Policy and we welcome applications from African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Women in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented in the workforce, Indigenous/Aboriginal People, Persons with Disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ Persons. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify on their electronic application.

Reporting to the Director, Regional Planning, the Manager, Regional Policy provides leadership in the formulation and implementation of a strategic vision for region-wide land use planning (i.e., all public and private lands in the urban, suburban and rural areas of the municipality). The Manager plays a key role in maintaining and keeping the Regional Plan relevant and the fundamental lead policy document moving HRM towards a sustainable community.

The Manager oversees the production of regional plan policies and amendments and plan updates. In this regard, they oversee and take the lead role in the development of objectives and land use policies related to population planning, future land use and settlement planning, environmental planning, municipal servicing, transportation plans and implementation measures of the Regional Plan within area of responsibility. The Manager will also have responsibility strategic initiatives that implement corporate or departmental strategies and priorities which are of a l planning nature. Current examples include the Green Network Plan, Affordable Housing Program, African Nova Scotian Community Planning, and the Rural Planning Framework.

The Manager will oversee high profile, multi-disciplinary projects, requiring a high degree of risk management and exceptional skills in project management and communications. These projects include creation of policy and regulatory frameworks and strategic initiatives or projects.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Accountable for the effective administration, direction and management of the Regional Policy and Strategic Initiatives Programs
• Formulates and develops strategies to implement the Regional Plan, corporate or business unit goals and priorities
• Leads special projects
• Oversees the production of policies, reports, plans, plan amendments, strategic initiatives and recommendations to Regional Council or the applicable committee, which affect community design, built form, the living environment and which influence municipal investments
• Interprets the Regional Plan, while recommending policy positions to council on matters within the area of responsibility
• Develops housing policies as part of the Regional Plan
• Develops and leads a team of planning professionals, including Planners and Principal Planners
• Acts in project manager capacity, including the supervision of consultants, team members and support staff
• Creates detailed work plans identifying project costs, deliverables, resource allocation, benefits and schedules for implementation and evaluation
• Provides advice to Regional Council, Committees of Council, other HRM business units and the public as required, primarily through the preparation and presentation of reports
• Provides professional planning advice to senior management, Regional Council members or community groups within limits of area of responsibility
• Works with program managers, and managers in business units to achieve unit and corporate outcomes
• Sets priorities on the delivery of services and ensures service level standards are met
• Works directly with external partners on cost shared grants, funds, and related activities
• Effectively administers collective agreements
• Leads and develops standards for managing program risks
• Maintains a positive public profile on behalf of the corporation by representing HRM in various public forums and leading multi-stakeholder processes with community groups, the development industry, advisory committees of Council, and governmental and non-governmental agencies to deliver policy and visioning programs throughout the region
• Monitors regulatory/policy changes within HRM and by other agencies which may have implications on development project approvals. Communicate changes to appropriate staff and provide training and coaching
• Makes recommendations to the Director regarding changes to municipal land use policy and the implications of provincial legislation with respect to land use planning programs and policies
• Ensures staff performance meets corporate standards, including the Licensed Professional Planners of Nova Scotia and the Professional Standards Board and Committee
• Oversees the development, management and implementation of the operating & capital budget and monthly projections for the program area

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience:

• University degree in Planning, or related field, such as urban design, landscape architecture, urban geography, environmental planning, spatial analysis, or geographic information systems with specialization in urban planning
• Minimum of two years leadership/management experience in the field of urban planning
• Minimum of eight years of progressive experience in the urban planning field, such as urban design, geographic information systems and landscape architecture
• Membership with the Canadian Institute of Planners and/or the Atlantic Planning Institute (or related organization)
• Experience conducting community engagement and the use of public presentations and facilitating community involvement in the design process

Technical / Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities:

• Experience with geographic information systems (GIS)
• Previous urban planning experience in the public sector

Security Clearance Requirements: Applicants may be required to complete an employment security screening check.

Please Note – Testing may be conducted as a component of the selection process to assess technical and job specific knowledge. Candidates, who are selected for testing, may be tested in a group setting, scheduled at the employer’s discretion. Interviews, testing and in-person recruitment activities are being conducted in adherence with COVID-19 Public Health protocols.

COMPETENCIES: Valuing Diversity, Communications, Customer Service, Developing Others, Managing Change, Networking/Relationship Building, Organizing and Planning, Organizational Awareness, Risk Management, Teamwork & Cooperation

WORK STATUS: Permanent, Full-time

HOURS OF WORK: Monday to Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm; 35 hrs/week

SALARY: NU08, Non-Union, $81,810-$112,510

WORK LOCATION: 3rd Floor, Duke Tower, 5251 Duke St., Halifax

CLOSING DATE: Applications will be received up to 11:59pm on Sunday, October 23, 2022. 

Please Note: We thank all candidates for their interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for interview/testing will be contacted.

During the recruitment process, applicants have the right to request an accommodation. Applicants invited to participate in an assessment process (such as an interview or testing) and who require accommodation, should discuss their needs with the Recruiter when invited to the assessment process.