Senior Watershed Planner – Planning & Development
Full Time Permanent – OPSEU Union
The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) is a community-based natural resource management agency that works to protect, enhance, and sustain healthy watersheds. With 60 years of experience, the NPCA offers watershed programs and services that focus on flood and hazard management, source water protection, species protection, ecosystem restoration, community stewardship, and land management.
The NPCA is one of 36 Conservation Authorities in the Province of Ontario. With 41 Conservation Areas within the Niagara Peninsula watershed, the NPCA manages lands that are held in public trust for recreation, heritage preservation, conservation, and education. These natural and shared greenspaces marry nature, culture and adventure to create limitless opportunities for discovery.
The Opportunity
As a member of the Environmental Planning and Policy team, the Senior Watershed Planner will coordinate and processes applications under the Conservation Authorities Act and Planning Act along with projects under the Environmental Assessment Act as they relate to infrastructure projects. This role will also coordinate technical feedback and resources, review planning applications, and interpret and implement Provincial and Conservation Authority policies in relation to resource planning and regulatory policies
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Manage the review of environmental assessment and master plan infrastructure projects, ensuring corporate interests are addressed based on professional judgement and technical advice, as well as recognizing and addressing politically sensitive and difficult issues
- Evaluate municipal, provincial, and federal environmental assessment projects, including a variety of technical documents and studies to identify how they are affected by NPCA regulatory, policy and program interests; ensure review is coordinated with corporate projects, as well as related environmental assessments and development review applications
- Process NPCA Permit applications related to environmental assessments, and infrastructure projects
- Evaluate and analyze planning and development applications relating to infrastructure projects to identify how they are affected by NPCA Regulations and policy.
- Support the Senior Manager with the review of Secondary Plans, and Official Plan Reviews.
- Provide an advanced level of planning knowledge and policy interpretation in response to municipal circulations and internal processes.
- Attend as the representative of the NPCA various meeting types including steering committees, council meetings, multi-agency review teams and NPCA Board Meetings
- Provide expert evidence and technical advice relating to OLT hearings, and other tribunals as required
What you Bring
- Degree from a recognized University in Environmental Sciences, Planning, Geography or a related field
- Minimum five (5) years’ experience with planning approvals in a Conservation Authority or Municipal environment with a focus on infrastructure planning and Environmental Assessments
- Knowledge and application of the Conservation Authorities Act, Environmental Assessment Act, Planning Act, Drainage Act, Niagara Escarpment Plan, Greenbelt Plan, Place to Grow Provincial Growth Plan, Provincial Policy Statement and Aggregate Resources Act as they relate to development review.
- Proficient with GIS software (preferably ArcGis)
- Registered Professional Planner (RPP) designation preferred
- Full membership in the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) and/or Canadian Institute for Planners (CIP) an asset
What We Offer You
- An annual salary ranging from $43.33 – $54.17 (35 hours/week – 2023 rate)
- Comprehensive benefits including health and dental and access to the Employee Assistance Program
- A Health Care Spending Account, allowing you to use your benefits where you need them
- Enrollment in the OMERS pension plan
- Free access to all the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Areas
- A hybrid remote work opportunity
- An opportunity to make a difference as part of a highly engaged and passionate team of professionals
Home Base Location: NPCA Main Office – 250 Thorold Rd, Welland with travel within the watershed
Application Deadline: Friday, March 3rd – 4:00pm
The NPCA is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity in the workplace. We do not condone or tolerate discrimination on the basis of citizenship, race, place of origin, ethnic origin, colour, ancestry, disability, age, creed, sex, gender identity, gender expression, family status, marital status, sexual orientation, or record of offence.
