Park Planner I

Position Status: Full-Time Temporary (This position to last not later than December 31, 2025)
Department: Regional Parks
Employee Group: Teamsters Local 31
Location: 4515 Central Boulevard, Burnaby
Salary Range/ Wage Rate: PG T28 $3,634.43 - $4,294.18 bi-weekly

Our Regional Parks Department (West Area) is seeking a Park Planner I who will lead specialized park planning assignments involving research, zoning, land acquisition, and general park and recreational planning activities. The position will oversee cultural resource information, biophysical data, and community and First Nations engagement processes to determine suitable land use, design, site management, and facility requirements within Metro Vancouver Regional Parks. Regional Parks within the portfolio include Pacific Spirit, Iona Beach, Grouse Mountain, Capilano River Lynn Headwaters, and Crippen.

You are: skilled at leading and working with multi-disciplinary teams on complex projects using land use principles and park design processes. You have considerable knowledge of the principles of outdoor recreational planning. You are passionate about nature and the environment.

This role:

• Performs assignments which involve specialized aspects of park planning such as research, zoning, land acquisition and development, landscape architectural design or general park and recreational planning activities.
• Prepares Terms of Reference and work programs and plans, assigns, supervises and checks the work of consultants and of internal staff assigned to specific projects.
• Conducts studies, co-ordinates information to and from operations, field and property staff, prepares related reports and answers enquiries from private and public agencies.
• Gathers and assesses general information, statistics, consulting reports and submissions from private and public agencies on park development, land use proposals and management of various outdoor recreational facilities.
• Prepares preliminary master site plans and cost estimates for acquisition and development of assigned regional parks and implements approved proposals.
• Consults with and advises a variety of internal and external contacts on park planning, recreation and open space matters.
• Performs related work as required.

To be successful, you have:

• University graduation in Planning, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Sciences or closely related discipline. Considerable park planning experience, some supervisory experience or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of landscape architecture or recreational planning or environmental sciences.
• Considerable knowledge of the methods and techniques of park planning and of departmental functions, procedures and objectives.
• Sound knowledge of governmental and legal procedures related to park planning and development.
• Ability to establish priorities in park planning programs and assignments and to co-ordinate information to and from operations, field and property staff.
• Ability to perform technical research, to exercise creative skills and the use of sound judgement in planning for park developments and to prepare related reports.
• Ability to plan, assign, supervise and check the work of consultants and of staff assigned to special projects.
• Ability to implement park planning proposals following approval of same by superior.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of internal and external contacts.
• Ability to act in a liaison capacity coordinating the work of special assignment groups and to relate such work to recreation groups and various levels of government.
• Valid British Columbia Driver's Licence.