Research Planner 2 – City of Richmond

21 June 2023

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Job Description

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The City of Richmond is a diverse and dynamic community in pursuit of our vision
to be the most appealing, livable and well-managed community in Canada.

People l Excellence l Leadership l Team l Innovation

Imagine a career with the City of Richmond, a dynamic environment for growth and continuous improvement, fostered by our collective strengths and creativity. We are a vibrant, diverse cosmopolitan city, supported by a strong economy and recognized as leaders in innovation and service delivery excellence. The City of Richmond is committed to be the most appealing, livable, well-managed community in Canada, a goal that is only made possible by developing our most valuable asset – our people. This is a great opportunity to join our team and shape our community.

Research Planner 2

Overview
This exciting position provides the opportunity for you to use your skills to conduct short and long planning studies, research, and undertake projects across the Community Services Division which includes the areas of Parks, Recreation, Sports, Arts, Culture, and Heritage.

This position represents the Division on multi-disciplinary teams and committees, leads successful internal and external consultation and community engagement activities, and ensures projects are concluded successfully with the involvement of a variety of stakeholders.

Examples of key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Conducts and manages feasibility studies for facilities and amenities, research studies, policy development and long range strategic planning relevant to the delivery of Parks, Recreation, Sports, Arts, Culture, and Heritage services.
  • Researches, analyzes and interprets a wide variety of data relevant to planning programs and projects; prepares reports and recommendations for consideration, establishing alternate approaches to address needs or interests of diverse stakeholders.
  • Leads successful community participation and engagement, develops and implements stakeholder and community consultation, and builds consensus amongst diverse stakeholders.
  • Effectively develops and manages work programs, deadlines and budgets, including consultants.
  • Provides committee support and professional advice in organizational, procedural and planning, group facilitation, managing correspondence, and project implementation.
  • Represents the Community Services Department at internal and external meetings.
  • Contributes to a variety of projects or processes, as either leader or team member.
  • May be required to provide direction to staff and will direct interdisciplinary staff and consulting teams.
  • Performs other duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

  • Knowledge of community planning practices, principles, techniques and methods applicable to the work performed and of the current trends and developments in community and social planning within the parks, recreation, sport, arts, heritage, culture, and social planning environments. 
  • Knowledge of the rules, regulations, policies, bylaws and objectives governing the operations of municipal community services.
  • Knowledge of standard research, statistical and analytical principles, practices, procedures, methods and techniques.
  • Demonstrated skills in planning and leading a strategic planning process including identifying innovative ideas and concepts, visioning, problem solving, removing constraints, analyses, options evaluation, and formulating recommendations.
  • Ability to perform complex and politically sensitive problem solving.
  • Ability to think strategically and innovatively including recognizing the interconnectedness of social, economic, environmental, and political issues.
  • Ability to collect, analyze and interpret statistical and narrative data and apply statistical techniques to prepare forecasts and projections and develop related reports (including recommendations, graphs and charts) on a variety of service planning projects and programs. 
  • Ability to perform complex multi-year project management such as a 2 to 10 year planning projects, and manage projects from issue identification through to implementation, including effective management of consultants or other contractors.
  • Able to manage multiple deadlines, produce high-quality products, produce high volumes of work, and demonstrate a positive and proactive work ethic.
  • Skill in preparing clear and concise reports and recommendations to be presented internally or externally as required and able to make effective public presentations. 
  • Ability to lead and facilitate meetings and workshops (staff, community members, consultants).
  • Ability to facilitate collaborative decision making, negotiation, and interest based problem solving.
  • Ability to communicate effectively in a multicultural environment with strong verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external contacts. 
  • Knowledge of successful team building such as proactively working with others, providing team and project leadership, solving team and inter-personal issues, and preventing team problems.
  • Ability to prepare correspondence and maintain records and files related to the work.
  • Ability to be flexible and adapt to new and demanding situations and projects, displaying cooperative and effective management of sensitive and difficult situations.
  • Ability to make independent judgements with minimal guidance.
  • Ability to use MS Office software, REDMS or similar records management system.
  • Knowledge of online survey software, data and statistical analysis software.
  • Skilled in the use of social media and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and there applications as required.
  • Ability to successfully clear a Police Information Check.

Qualifications and Experience:

  • A graduate degree is required with an emphasis on Social Planning, Community Planning, Urban Geography or a related discipline.
  • Sound knowledge and five (5) years experience in community development, social planning and community social services, community recreation or cultural services, preferably within a municipal environment or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
  • Valid Class 5 driver’s licence for the Province of British Columbia.
  • Eligibility for membership in Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) or Planning Institute of British Columbia (PIBC).

Working Conditions:
Duties are performed in an office environment.

The City of Richmond offers a competitive pay and benefits program, attractive incentives and a compressed work day schedule. If you are looking to make a difference, and to share our vision “to be the most appealing, livable, and well-managed community in Canada,” please submit your application by following the instructions below:

The City of Richmond uses an applicant tracking system for candidates wishing to view and apply for available career opportunities. For further information regarding position details and to apply, please visit our website at https://www.richmond.ca/city-hall/careers/current.htm.

We are accepting applications until July 2, 2023

The City of Richmond is an inclusive employer committed to employment equity objectives and invites applications from all qualified individuals. We thank all applicants in advance for their interest; however, only those under consideration will be contacted. If you are unsuccessful, please accept our appreciation for your interest. No telephone inquiries please.
 
This position is restricted to those legally entitled to work in Canada.