Planner in Training

City of Mississauga's Planner in Training Program is an exciting opportunity for recent graduates to gain valuable experience in areas such as land use planning, housing policy and development incentives, plans review, by-law review, research and analysis, counter support, community engagement activities and build a strong understanding of the municipal planning process. The Planner in Training conducts research and supports a range of planning projects and initiatives.

Join the program for a 36-month term and rotate through various Divisions in the Planning and Building Department to gain a ‘big picture’ perspective of the department, build relationships across Divisions and Departments, and develop a multi-disciplinary set of skills. This position will begin in the Housing Policy and Development Incentives team within the City Planning Strategies Division.

Planners in Training are supported on their journey towards obtaining their RPP and MCIP accreditation through the following:

• Annual OPPI and CIP membership fees
• One ethics course registration
• One OPPI exam fee
• Mentorship opportunities

Reporting to the relevant Manager within the Planning and Building department, over the duration of the program, the successful candidate will:

• Conduct research and analysis on municipal, planning and development matters including best practices
  and provincial legislative changes.
• Prepare written documents (e.g. reports, memorandums, letters) to support projects and respond to
  inquiries.
• Create or update and analyse statistical and financial data sets and corresponding visual representations of
  data and analysis, as required.
• Assist with community and stakeholder engagement initiatives including recording meeting notes and
  facilitating discussions.
• Support implementation of the City’s housing programs
• Review and interpret zoning by-laws and development applications, respond to inquiries, support recommendation reports and attend committee meetings
• Review media and Council agendas (City and Region and their relevant sub-committees) to monitor
  planning trends, issues, and matters of strategic importance to the City.
• Contribute to projects and Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) hearings by completing components of projects and
  participating on multidisciplinary internal and external teams, as assigned.
• Conduct site visits, as required.
• Provide internal and external customer service support on official plan or project matters, as assigned.
• Maintain electronic records and reports in accordance with the City’s policies.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• University/College degree in Planning, Architecture, Urban Design, Urban Geography or a related discipline
  with some prior experience (e.g. internship, junior planner) or an equivalent combination of education and
  experience.
• In the process of obtaining, or eligible to obtain, related professional designation e.g. RPP, MCIP, OAA.
• Demonstrated general knowledge of municipal regulations and policies and relevant provincial legislation
  including the Planning and Municipal Acts.
  Demonstrated ability to design, conduct and complete a research assignment.
• Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills with an emphasis on customer service
  and conflict resolution including the tact to work with a diverse group of stakeholders and senior level
  management.
• Excellent writing skills with the ability to draft clear and concise documents.
• Promote and contribute to a supportive team environment while being self-motivated and cooperative
  with a demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work and adapt in a fast-paced environment with a demonstrated ability to maintain organization
  and exercise critical thinking, independent judgment, and problem-solving while managing competing
  tasks and meeting deadlines.
• Must demonstrate and act in accordance with the City’s Corporate Values of Trust, Quality and Excellence,
  including displaying integrity and sound moral and ethical principles.
• Experience working with financial information is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated computer skills with MS Office suite of products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and
  Outlook. Proficiency with GIS or design programs is considered an asset.
• Must have the ability to travel and provide own transportation in order to conduct site visits or attend
  meetings in multiple locations, as required.