Planner 2, Affordable Housing

Title of the Job: Planner 2, Affordable Housing

Location: Richmond, BC

Job Description: OverviewThe Planner 2, Affordable Housing coordinates affordable housing developments, supports housing policy and research initiatives, manages studies and consultants, and liaises with internal and external stakeholders to develop and advance the City’s new Non-Profit Partnership Program.Under the direction of the Program Manager, Affordable Housing, the Planner 2, Affordable Housing will assist in advancing partnership opportunities with non-profit housing operators and funding agencies (e.g. BC Housing, CMHC) to advance affordable housing projects in Richmond.Examples of key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Supporting the Program Manager, Affordable Housing in the establishment of a framework for future affordable housing projects;
• Advancing the City’s affordable housing objectives by coordinating new affordable housing developments on City-owned land;
• Reviewing development applications considering the City’s Affordable Housing Strategy and related land use plans and policy (e.g., Official Community Plan, Homelessness Strategy, etc.);
• Coordinating communications and engagement activities for the City’s affordable housing developments and housing policy initiatives;
• Fostering effective working relationships with project partners including but not limited to: BC Housing, non-profit housing operators, consultants, contractors, developers, and senior levels of government;
• Investigating potential grants, capital funding, and other opportunities to enhance and sustain Richmond’s affordable housing objectives;
• Responding to information requests from the public, staff, council, and external agencies.
• Collaborating on other priority initiatives of the Housing Office;
• Representing the City’s affordable housing interests in public forums (e.g. at Council, Planning Committee, Public Hearings, Metro Vancouver committees); and
• Effectively managing comprehensive work programs, staff teams, budgets and consultants.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of affordable housing and community planning practices, principles, policies, methods and procedures in a municipal setting;
• Preliminary understanding of land development considerations used in determining project viability;
• Knowledge of the affordable housing sector, including the roles of the provincial and federal governments, non-profit housing providers, and the private sector;
• Strong report writing abilities and the ability to convey complex materials and subject matter in a clear and concise way;
• Up to date knowledge of social, economic, political and demographic factors related to housing needs in Richmond and Metro Vancouver;
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with municipal staff, elected officials, government agencies, non-profit housing operators and the public with courtesy, tact and discretion;
• Understanding of development approval requirements, including applicable legislation, policy and regulatory controls at the municipal, regional and provincial levels;
• Ability to develop and oversee work plans and project budgets;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Research methods for assessing demand for, and the delivery of, affordable housing including the use of software to generate housing and other related needs projections;
• Strong communication abilities including the ability to speak at small-scaled public engagement events and to present development applications to Committees of Council
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel;
• Ability to use REDMS or a similar Records Management System; and
• Ability to successfully clear a Police Information Check.

Qualifications and Experience:

• A Master’s Degree in Community Planning or a related field;
• Eligibility or membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners and the Planning Institute of British Columbia;
• A minimum of two years of professional experience in the planning and development of housing projects, preferably involving non-profit housing organizations / partners;
• An equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be considered in lieu of having a minimum two years of housing-related experience;
• Experience preparing and overseeing work plans; accreditation as a Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent accreditation is considered an asset; and
• Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License

Company Name: City of Richmond

Salary:

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