Officer, Planning & Development

Posted on: Sep 8, 2025
Posted by: Lac La Biche County

Summary

Employment Opportunity

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, ONE YEAR TERM FULL-TIME

Location:  Lac La Biche, Alberta

Are you interested in working for a progressive organization that supports its employees and promotes a healthy work culture?  Are you looking for work life balance, and do you love spending time outdoors and being one with nature? Apply now for an opportunity to work at the Lac La Biche County.  We want you to join our team!

Lac La Biche County is rich in lakes, parks, and outdoor experiences, and home to some of Alberta’s top industries.  Lac La Biche County is a beautiful, prosperous community for people to visit, live, work and play.  We have more than 150 lakes and 100 beaches, camping opportunities, and an excellent hiking trail system.  Pair that with modern amenities like the Bold Center, future Aquatics Centre, schools, parks, community activities, sports and cultural activities, local community groups, and downtown shopping area, it’s no wonder that Lac La Biche County is an ideal cabin and adventure area for County residents and visitors from nearby communities and international tourists! 

The Organization:  Lac La Biche County is an organization driven by principles surrounding Excellence, Communication, Safety and Wellness, Collaboration, and Environmental Sustainability. Our employees enjoy the charm of working in the Lakeland Region, away from the hustle and bustle of the big city while still being able to enjoy a diverse, fast paced and fulfilling work environment. Our community is known to be one of the most diverse and unique communities in Alberta.  Not only is it rich in history and culture, but it also surrounded by forests, parks, lakes, and golden sand beaches!

We continuously strive to remain an employer of choice by offering a strong health and safety program, competitive pay, amazing benefits, opportunities for professional development, as well as many wellness initiatives that support a work life balance.  We also take pride in maintaining high standards surrounding equity, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace.

Want to be a part of our County team?  We are actively searching for a specialized professional to fill this position!

Purpose of the position

The position will be responsible for (but not limited to):

  • Reviewing applications, issuing development permits, and ensuring proper follow-up, in accordance with planning documents, Land Use Bylaws, and related legislation.
  • Responding to inquiries from the public regarding developments and liaising with internal and external stakeholders on initiated projects.
  • Conducting research, revising, and providing recommendations on related Bylaws and Policies.
  • Other duties as required.

Key Responsibilities

Key Responsibility:

Expertise

  • Provides advice, support, referrals and guidance within area of expertise to the public and staff and serves on interdepartmental project teams and Council committees as required.
  • May represent the County and its interests, or position on local committees or boards.

Technical Duties

  • Administers inquiries pertaining to planning & development processes, by answering questions,conducting research, interpreting data, and explaining regulations to the public.
  • Reviews and processes applications.
  • Conducts pre-application meetings with applicants; visits sites to review conditions and compatibility of land uses.
  • Prepares a Notice of Decision for applicants and ensures required ads and notices are completed.
  • Issues permits upon completion of the notice period.
  • Prepares letters of concurrence regarding communication towers.
  • Prepares the necessary follow up to the applicant: compliance certificate or letter indicating a legal non-conforming use or non-compliance.
  • Assists with the preparation of development agreements and other similar agreements pertaining to development files to be endorsed and registered.
  • Prepares discharge caveat(s) when required.
  • Prepares and presents recommendations respecting specialized applications for decision to the Municipal Planning Commission.
  • Serves as the Development Authority as prescribed in the County’s bylaws.

General Responsibility

  • Assumes Emergency Management duties as assigned.
  • Maintains excellent customer service with colleagues, customers, members of Council, local stakeholders, and the public.
  • Fosters a positive work culture and assists with continuously improving the County culture.
  • Other related duties as assigned.

OH&S Responsibility

  • Promotes and models safety in the day-to-day operations of department.
  • Maintains awareness of and adheres to the County’s OH&S policies by following responsibilities as outlined in the Health and Safety Manual
  • Complies with all safe work procedures and the OH&S program requirements
  • Records Management Responsibility
  • Promotes and complies with the FOIP Act and the County Records Management policies, adhering to confidentiality measures in all practices.

Requirements

Want to be a part of our County team:

To be successful in this position, you will come with:

  • A post secondary diploma in land use planning or related discipline which may include completion of Applied Land Use Planning Certificate (ALUP).
  • Minimum of two years of related experience in municipal planning and development.
    • An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
  • Membership or eligibility for membership with the Alberta Development Officers Association (ADOA).
  • Excellent interpersonal skills including tact, good judgement, and political sensitivity.
  • Ability to maintain constructive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Excellent conflict resolution skills.
  • Excellent communication skills (oral and written).
  • Ability to effectively provide technical information and advice to all levels within the organization, members of council, customers, members of the public, and stakeholders.
  • Self directed with ability to work cooperatively with others. • Good time and project management skills. • Ability to work with variable work loads and produce timely and accurate documentation.
  • Proficiency in computer MS Office Suite applications, Munisight, and related software.

Position details

  • One Year Term Full-time Position
  • 35 hours weekly, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Additional hours may be required during evenings or weekends for meetings, special events or emergency work.

Start Date:        As soon as possible

Closing Date:   Open until suitable candidate is found

Job Type

One Year Term Full-Time

Employer Contact

No employer contact listed.

Salary Range

Salary range is: $73,946.60 to $94,894.80 annually ($40.63 to $52.14 hourly)

Closing Date

November 14, 2025
Posting ID: 34014