General Description
This is a full-time salaried position (85 hours bi-weekly) at a professional land use planning firm in Huntsville, Ontario, located in the heart of Muskoka. This role is ideal for a planner seeking challenging experiences while assisting private sector clients navigate the planning and development process in cottage country.
Our planning proposals and applications primarily focus on recreational residential properties. However, we also manage files for commercial rural subdivisions and industrial development. Our diverse portfolio includes the preparation of development options reports, subdivisions, consents, zoning and Community Permit Planning variances and amendments, minor variances, and expert witness testimony and evidence preparation.
This position is perfect for an individual who appreciates all four seasons and enjoys outdoor recreational activities. Huntsville offers historic small-town charm with amenities such as theatre, sports, dining, shopping, and excellent healthcare services. The office is located 2.5 hours from Toronto and 25 minutes from the gates of Algonquin Park. Huntsville and its surrounding towns and communities boast community-minded schools with small class sizes and integrated outdoor education and experiences in their curriculum.
Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide advice and recommendations to clients seeking guidance on property development.
• Act as a liaison between clients and approval authorities.
• Coordinate with related team professionals to achieve clients’ planning objectives.
• Prepare various applications for planning and land use approvals, including technical reports, sketches, planning justification reports, and general policy reviews and research.
• Liaise with approval authority staff and attend various committees, boards, and council meetings.
• Prepare appeals and evidence and attend Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) hearings as needed.
• Provide direction, supervision, and assistance to planning staff.
• Organize and manage planners’ files.
• Manage staff performance and quality control.
• Handle personnel matters.

Qualifications

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in a planning-related discipline.
• Ten or more years of applied planning experience.
• Membership in either OPPI, CIP, or both.
• Knowledge of Ontario’s planning systems, the Planning Act, and PPS.
• Proficient research and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work independently.
• General knowledge of the geography and planning framework of cottage country and the near north.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and AutoCAD.
• Managerial experience is an asset.

Working Conditions
This position is based in a professional office with a smart casual dress code. Site inspections are required occasionally, with mileage paid by the firm.
Salary
The firm offers a graduated salary scale based on merit, updated annually for cost of living. The salary range for this position is $130,000 to $160,000 per annum, with 3-4 weeks of paid vacation depending on qualifications and experience.
A comprehensive benefits package, with all premiums paid by the firm, is included. This position also includes enrollment in the company’s Group Retirement Benefit Plan, with matching contributions up to certain limits. Membership fees for OPPI or CIP will be covered by the firm.