Planning Assistant

Posted on: Aug 9, 2024
Posted by: Rocky View County

Summary

Rocky View County values our employees and provides a welcoming and stable work environment where positive energy, creativity, and a service mindset are encouraged.  We seek individuals who enjoy making a difference and contributing meaningfully to a vibrant community.  Our valued and diverse team of 500+ employees are provided with the same concern, respect, and caring attitude as the over 40,000 people who call Rocky View County home.

At Rocky View County we value employee work/life balance. Temporary staff are provided with opportunities to grow professionally while being supported with paid training, a competitive salary, benefits and paid days off in their first year, plus general holidays, and a hybrid work environment for eligible positions.

We are proud of offering staff meaningful work on exciting projects that will shape the future development of communities in the County. We are centred around delivering excellent customer service in a fast-paced environment, and building genuine relationships with our 15 neighbouring jurisdictions in the region. Our Planning team enjoys a collaborative and positive environment, with support to focus on work that matches individual interests and strengths. At just under a million acres and with a diverse range of communities and developments, the County is an amazing place to develop your Planning career.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Supervisor Planning and Development, the Planning Assistant is responsible for a variety of planning, development and office support work and providing general information to internal customers and the public on a range of technical and procedural matters relating to development permits and planning applications.

Key Responsibilities

Core Accountabilities

Customer Service

  • Assist Planning customers with a variety of planning and development related enquiries including, but not limited to: zoning, redesignation processes, subdivision processes, development permits, application status, land use bylaw questions, and various general concerns and complaints.
  • Manage inquiries made to the Planning department.
  • Act as the primary contact for pre-application meeting scheduling and related record keeping following meetings.
  • Act as the first contact for subdivision endorsements, distributing applicant submissions and communicating with applicants on endorsement progress and any additional required information.
  • Provide appropriate planning and development permit information to the public in-person, by phone, and in writing, noting applicable processes and regulations. Provide assistance to the planning and development permit process, including research of historical information and other relevant assignments.
  • Reduce the necessity to direct phone calls to individual Planners and Development Officers by answering questions wherever possible, and directing customers to the relevant person or department, as needed.
  • Tend to all customer concerns and questions with respect and professionalism.

Application Processing

  • Participate in pre-application meetings with developers/applicants to discuss proposed applications, as required.
  • Receive development permits and planning applications, subdivision endorsements, and requests, ensuring all relevant documentation is included at time of receipt.
  • Act as the file manager for minor development permit and planning applications, and meet with applicants when necessary.
  • Process minor applications, including circulations to internal departments, and external agencies.
  • Review conditions of approval that address specific development permit applications.
  • Prepare a variety of notices and correspondence on decisions, agendas, notices and advertisements, including appeal documentation.
  • Meet processing deadlines in accordance with legislation and/or County standards.
  • Investigate violations of planning and development regulations, including site visits.
  • Issue Certificates of Compliance and Confirmations of Land Use upon ensuring that all details have been thoroughly reviewed and are accurate.
  • Review files on an ongoing basis to see if extension letters are required and initiate the necessary correspondence.
  • Undertake site visits and complete related inspection reports for the purposes of development permit applications.
  • Present to relevant board and committees, as required.

Administrative

  • This position requires excellent organizational and time management skills.
  • Collaborate with internal agencies, external agencies, and citizens.
  • Perform routine office tasks including data entry, file management, copying, etc.
  • Maintain development permit files, related statistics, and update computer records.
  • Assist in the preparation of statistical or internal department reports, correspondence, planning maps, and presentation materials.
  • Coordinate the update of development permit notifications, advertisements, and planning projects on the County’s web page.
  • Supply internal assistance/discussions with other departments regarding Land Use Bylaw issues.
  • Provide ongoing dialogue with applicant to ensure conditions are met prior to issuing permit.
  • Work in accordance with the requirements established by the RVC Health and Safety Program and the Alberta OHS Act, Regulation and Code.
  • Take reasonable care to protect their health and safety and other persons at or in the vicinity of the worksite while they are working.
  • Provide support to the section and department as required.
  • Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Requirements

Position Requirements

  • Familiarity of Municipal Government Act sections and requirements relevant to the position.
  • Ability to demonstrate excellent organizational, prioritizing, time management skills and problem-solving skills.
  • Possess a pleasant personality with an ability to maintain harmonious relations with employees and external customers.
  • Highly developed communication skills, with an excellent telephone manner.
  • Show initiative to assist customers to meet their needs.
  • Develop a working knowledge of the Planning department’s functions.
  • Have good written composition, grammar, spelling, and clarity.
  • Possess an ability to follow broad guidelines, think critically, and seek out information.
  • Possess an ability to maintain confidentiality regarding matters that affect the department and the County as a whole.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and experience of basic computer functions as well as basic keyboarding skills.
  • Proficiency in MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point, and Access).
  • Ability to become comfortable and proficient with a variety of information tools including GIS, application software, and various databases.

 

Technical
City View General Office Technology
Communication Technologies GIS – Geographic Information System
Critical Thinking Public Speaking

 

Formal Education
Bachelors Degree

 

We thank applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Applications can be submitted online at www.rockyview.ca/careers

Closing Date: August 25, 2024, or until a suitable candidate is found.

Job Type

No job type mentioned.

Employer Contact

No employer contact listed.

Salary Range

No salary range listed.

Closing Date

August 25, 2024
Posting ID: 27316