PRINCIPAL PLANNER
The City of Belleville, known as the ‘Friendly City’, is located at the mouth of the Moira River where it meets the picturesque Bay of Quinte. Experience world-class fishing, boating, cycling, and walking along approximately 14 kilometers of waterfront trails. Situated between Toronto and Montreal, and less than one hour from the U.S. border, the City truly is at the center of it all.
Approximately 56,000 people make Belleville their home and over 220,000 live within 30 minutes of the City. We are in close proximity to Prince Edward County where you can discover award winning wineries and numerous beaches including Sandbanks Provincial Park. We are home to Loyalist College of Applied Arts and Technology as well as Albert College, Canada’s oldest co-ed boarding independent private school. The historic downtown core provides numerous restaurants, shopping and live music and theater venues for an amazing cultural experience. Our inviting blend of small town warmth and big city amenities, quality of life and affordable housing make Belleville the perfect place to live, work and play. More information is available at www.belleville.ca
Currently, the City of Belleville has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated, strategic, and dynamic individuals to join our Engineering and Development Services Department as a Principal Planner.
Position Type: Permanent Full Time
Number of Positions: One (1)
Department: Engineering and Development Services Department
File Number: SV25-62
Location: City Hall (169 Front Street, Belleville, ON)
Hours: 35 hours per week, Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Employee Group: Non-Union
Salary: Grade 9 ($81,100.93 - $96,547.79)
Closing Date: Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 4:30 PM
PURPOSE AND SCOPE:
As a member of the Engineering and Development Services Department, reporting to the Manager of Policy Planning, the Principal Planner is responsible for analyzing complex planning policies, managing special studies and long-range projects, and preparing reports for Council and related Committees. The role also involves supporting the City’s Community Improvement Plan, engaging with key stakeholders, providing strategic planning advice, and assisting with development applications as needed.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position will:
Provide professional advice and strategic input to management and Council.
Develop planning strategies that balance growth, economic development, community well-being, and environmental sustainability.
Manage complex, multi-disciplinary projects and studies such as Official Plan reviews, corridor studies, and other long-range plans.
Lead a variety of the City’s Community Improvement Plans, which include areas such as housing, brownfields, and downtown revitalization.
Build and maintain relationships with provincial ministries, Indigenous communities, neighbouring municipalities, and the development industry stakeholders.
Support corporate initiatives that involve research, policy development, and changes to business practices or service delivery.
Prepare and deliver presentations and participate in discussions with staff, agencies, developers, and elected officials.
Assist staff of the Approvals Section in processing development applications for zoning amendments site plans, subdivision and condominiums, consents and minor variances when required.
Implement the Council-approved planning decisions and initiatives.
Act as the Manager, if required.
Note: the above duties and responsibilities are not to be construed as all-inclusive.
EDUCATION/TRAINING/SPECIALIZED SKILLS:
Minimum Qualifications:
Undergraduate Degree or higher in Planning, Geography or a related discipline
Full membership or eligibility for membership in Canadian Institute of Planners and Ontario Professional Planners Institute with a Registered Professional Planner designations (MCIP, RPP)
Demonstrated thorough understanding of the Planning Act, and other relevant legislation
Demonstrated expert knowledge of Official Plans, Provincial Policy Statements, and Provincial Plans
Satisfactory Criminal Record Check (“CRC”) prior to commencing work at the City of Belleville.
Preferred Qualifications:
Proven ability to synthesize, evaluate and interpret highly complex planning issues, towards developing clear and concise planning recommendations
Strong organizational, analytical, policy and data analysis skills
Demonstrated leadership and project management experience
Ability to effectively train, direct, mentor and supervise staff
Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to respond to public concerns in a professional manner and maintain effective working relationships within the corporation and the broader community
Negotiation/conflict resolution skills, problem identification and resolution in response to a wide variety of policy and development initiatives within a dynamic, fast-paced, multi-stakeholder environment
Demonstrated proficiency with a variety of software applications
The ability to work independently and as a member of a team
Ability to facilitate discussion and exercise judgment in a rational and informed manner appropriate to the situation with awareness of consequences.
WORK EXPERIENCE:
Required Qualifications:
Four (4) years of experience required.
Preferred Qualifications:
Four (4) years of experience within municipal environments.
Two (2) years supervisory experience.
Experience at Local Planning Appeal Tribunal/Ontario Municipal Board.
Note: A combination of relevant work experience and education may be considered.
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU:
Competitive market salary
Competitive employer-paid extended health benefits
OMERS Pension Plan
Opportunity to enter a hybrid work arrangement subject to applicable policies and approvals, following the successful completion of the probationary period.
Live, work, and play in the beautiful city of Belleville and experience all that it has to offer.
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU:
Competitive market salary
Competitive employer-paid extended health benefits
OMERS Pension Plan
Opportunity to enter a hybrid work arrangement subject to applicable policies and approvals, following the successful completion of the probationary period
Live, work, and play in the beautiful city of Belleville and experience all that it has to offer.
HOW TO APPLY:
www.belleville.ca/careers
We thank all applicants who apply but advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Please be advised that the City of Belleville uses email to communicate with their applicants for open job postings. It is the applicant’s responsibility to include an updated email address that is checked frequently and accepts emails from unknown users. As we send time-sensitive correspondence regarding recruitments via email, it is imperative that applicants check their email regularly. If we do not hear back from applicants, we will assume that you are no longer interested in the job posting.
Applicants will be required to provide at their own expense a satisfactory criminal reference check dated within the past six (6) months and if deemed a requirement of the position, a driver’s abstract to the Human Resources Department on or before the date of the interview but no later than the commencement of employment if selected.
The City of Belleville is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes and work environments. We will accommodate the needs of applicants under the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. Please advise the Human Resources Division to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated throughout this process.
Personal information and any supporting material will be administered in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).
