Planner

About Vulcan County

Vulcan County, conveniently located in beautiful sunny southern Alberta, is a vibrant and progressive rural community with prime farming, ranching, residential, leisure, and recreation opportunities. Strategically situated one hour south of Calgary and one hour north of Lethbridge, we offer a rich quality of life in a rural setting.

Purpose of the Position

The Land Use Planner provides professional planning services that support Vulcan County’s land use, subdivision, development, and long-range planning functions. The position reviews and processes complex planning applications, prepares planning documents and recommendations, interprets municipal and provincial legislation, and provides professional advice to Council, the Municipal Planning Commission, administration, landowners, developers, and the public.

The Land Use Planner supports responsible growth and development while ensuring that planning decisions are consistent with the Municipal Government Act, applicable provincial legislation, statutory plans, the Land Use Bylaw, Council policies, and the long-term interests of Vulcan County.

Responsibilities

• Administers land development control, legislative, and policy initiatives, and ensures all approval processes are implemented effectively.
• Serves as an advisor to the Chief Administrative Officer, County Council, the Municipal Planning Commission, and other committees as required.
• Provides development control services both internally and to the public according to approved standards.
• Completes accurate reviews of subdivisions and ensures that all subdivision conditions are met. Issues subdivision satisfaction letters to ORRSC and ratepayers as required.
• Reviews and processes road closure applications in conjunction with the Director of Operations.
• Prepares professional planning analyses, recommendations, conditions of approval, and Requests for Decision.
• Represents the County, as directed, in provincial and local processes and hearings, including but not limited to the Alberta Utilities Commission, Natural Resources Conservation Board, Subdivision and Development Appeal Board, and the Land and
  Property Rights Tribunal.
• Coordinates internal and external referrals to municipal departments, provincial agencies, neighbouring municipalities, utility providers, irrigation districts, school authorities, and other affected organizations.
• Processes and reviews Land Use Bylaw amendment applications, including drafting development-related bylaws and amendments as required and presenting reports to Council for decision.
• Assists ratepayers and developers with development-related issues and questions.
• Works with the Communications Coordinator to ensure advertisements and notices are accurate, complete, and issued in accordance with applicable requirements.
• Regularly conducts site inspections and field reviews.
• Drafts, prepares, reviews, and applies to amend the Municipal Development Plan, Area Structure Plans, Intermunicipal Development Plans, Land Use Bylaw, and other statutory and non-statutory planning documents.
• Researches emerging planning issues, development trends, legislative changes, and municipal best practices; evaluates existing planning policies; and develops policy options and recommendations that support Council’s strategic priorities and economic development objectives.
• Participates in regional and intermunicipal planning initiatives.
• Attends meetings, including evening meetings, and public engagement sessions when required.
• Provides planning expertise to other County departments on transportation, utilities, emergency services, agriculture, economic development, environmental matters, and municipal infrastructure.
• Assists Development Services staff with complex files, planning interpretations, research, and policy development.
• Provides backup for Development Officer 2 when required.
• Develops application guides, procedures, templates, public information materials, and internal planning resources.

General Qualifications

• Have, or be working toward, a bachelor’s degree in planning, urban and regional studies, geography, environmental design, public administration, or a related discipline. This qualification is required.
• Have, or be working toward, membership or eligibility for membership with the Alberta Professional Planners Institute and the Canadian Institute of Planners. This qualification is preferred.
• Registered Professional Planner or Candidate Membership status is considered an asset.

What the County Offers

Vulcan County offers full comprehensive health benefits and competitive renumeration. A friendly and flexible work environment.