Open Space Planner

City of Edmonton•Edmonton, AB

4d•CA$52 - CA$65•Hybrid

About The Position

The City of Edmonton is seeking a collaborative and strategic professional to join the Open Space Strategy team. This temporary full-time role will contribute to shaping the future of Edmonton’s open space system, impacting how the city grows, how residents and visitors access trails, parks, and natural areas, and how the ecological network is protected. As an Open Space Planner, you will serve as a subject matter expert and leader in parks planning, recreation planning, and urban ecology. Your work will support the protection and enhancement of the city’s open space network, including the River Valley and Ravine System, through data-driven spatial analysis and the development of open space strategies, plans, and standards.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Urban and Regional Planning, Geography, Human Geography, Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, or a related field.
Minimum of two years of progressively relevant and responsible experience, including open space policy and strategy development, environmental policy and strategy development, parks planning, recreational planning, ecological planning, and/or spatial analysis.
Demonstrated experience applying land use, open space, recreation, and/or ecological planning principles.
Demonstrated experience with GIS software, spatial analysis, mapping, and data management in the fields of urban, environmental, or open space planning.
Ability to complete spatial analysis and conceptualize, build, and maintain interactive maps, dashboards, and web-based GIS story maps.
Knowledge of applicable legislation, regulatory requirements, and governing policies and plans.
Experience working with and integrating multiple planning functions, including ecological planning, parks planning, and urban development.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of internal and external partners and interested parties.
Knowledge of computer systems, including word processing, spreadsheets, and mapping applications.
Alignment to our Cultural Commitments and Leadership Competencies.
Embracing a culture of equity, diversity, reconciliation and inclusion.
Standard corporate compliance policies, including IT security guidelines, the Integrated Corporate Data Framework, and FOIP/privacy regulations apply.

Nice To Haves

Post-graduate degree in Urban and Regional Planning, Geography, Human Geography, Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, or a related field.
Advanced proficiency in GIS software (ArcGIS, QGIS), land use analysis, and/or data visualization.
Membership or eligibility for membership with the Canadian Institute of Planners and its regional affiliate and/or the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists.

Responsibilities

Apply knowledge of land use, environmental, ecological, and open space planning principles to develop plans, standards, and guidelines for the city’s open space network.
Conduct policy research and apply expertise in current best practices to develop planning and policy recommendations and support long-term, strategic planning for Edmonton’s open space network, including municipal parks and natural areas.
Conduct spatial analyses and create complex mapping products to support the protection and long-term, strategic planning of the city’s open spaces and ecological network.
Conduct evidence-based and data-driven analyses to inform the development and implementation of open space strategies and policies.
Create maps, dashboards, and interactive web-based tools to support policy development, internal and external engagement, and decision-making.
Support the maintenance of open space datasets.
Contribute to public, interested party, and Indigenous engagement planning, facilitation, and reporting.
Support the technical review of municipal environmental impact assessments, biophysical assessments, and strategic assessments.
Support the review of land development applications, including proposed statutory plan amendments, rezoning, and subdivision applications.
Complete formal written and verbal presentations as required.
Collaborate with internal and external partners to improve implementation of the City of Edmonton's open space policies, plans, strategies, and procedures, and promote best practices in open space and ecological planning.
Undertake a variety of projects or work assignments requiring analysis and the generation of alternatives, recommendations, and decisions related to the city’s open space network.
Perform other related duties as required.