Land Use Planner

Join an organization that plays a critical role in Canada’s economy. At the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, we focus on doing the incredible work it takes to become the world’s most sustainable port.

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is responsible for the stewardship of the Port of Vancouver, Canada’s largest and most diversified port. Our mandate as a Canada Port Authority, as set out by the Canada Marine Act, is to enable Canada’s trade objectives, ensuring goods are moved safely and responsibly through the Port of Vancouver. That means providing infrastructure and ensuring the safe and efficient movement of marine traffic and cargo within the port. It also means we carry out reviews of proposed activities and developments on federal port lands and waters to determine whether a project can go ahead without impacts to the environment and community that cannot be mitigated.

We are passionate about the work we do and what it contributes to our local communities, the region and our country. This is reflected in our values of collaboration, continuous improvement, accountability and customer responsiveness.

Be a part of a team that advances initiatives to promote economic prosperity through trade, a healthy environment and thriving communities for the future generations of Canadians. It’s a workplace where the intrinsic value of your contribution to help foster the continued growth of the Canadian economy becomes a tangible reality. Bring your unique strengths, perspectives and experiences to the port authority and join us in charting a course toward a sustainable future.

The Land Use Planner is responsible for administering land use planning and policy initiatives, including port-wide, local area and/or site-specific plans for the future use and development of port lands and waters; preparing land use strategies and plans with an emphasis on the port’s major business sectors; and participating in stakeholder engagement and consultation processes related to the above. Related duties include research, strategy and policy development, stakeholder engagement, market analysis, preliminary financial analysis, and preparation of reports and communication materials. The Land Use Planner is also responsible for coordinating internal multi-disciplinary teams and working closely with other departments in their review of a range of complex and potentially controversial projects and/or corporate initiatives related to land use.

The Land Use Planner will:

• Conduct research and analysis and prepare reports and land use policies relating to optimizing the use and development of port land and waters.
• Administer land use planning and policy development initiatives related to the use and development of VFPA properties.
• Coordinate the preparation of and analysis of development alternatives and scenarios for VFPA properties, including coordinating internal dialogue, consultant studies, liaison with potential tenants/applications, and making recommendations to management on study findings and preferred options to optimize the use of VFPA property.
• Facilitate VFPA preliminary assessments of development proposals for VFPA properties, including coordinating internal reviews, liaison with representatives of proponents, and drafting recommendations to management.
• Maintain an understanding of commodities handled at the port, the environmental, social, and economic implications associated with each commodity, their development implications, and their relative impacts on the port’s mandate.
• Monitor long-range commodity forecasts and compare with terminal capacities including proposed productivity improvements to assess future terminal capacity requirements to meet anticipated demand.
• Monitor land use policy initiatives and land use amendments undertaken by external agencies including local municipalities and Metro Vancouver of interest to the port authority.
• Conduct research on related topics including industry trends with potential to impact demand at VFPA; development proposals and activity in competing markets; business sector trends and outlooks; and technologies and trends that support efficient utilization of port industrial lands.
• Participate in collaboration with other port authority departments, comprehensive engagement and consultation processes involving a broad range of stakeholder groups including, but not limited to, terminal operators and port tenants, local, provincial and federal government representatives, regional agencies, community representatives and the general public in undertaking land use planning and policy initiatives, including port-wide, local area and/or site specific plans for the future use and development of port lands and waters.
• Work with consultants on activities related to land use strategies and policies.
• Prepare procurement documents, coordinate internal processes for the approval of budgets, and track budgets to ensure costs are controlled.
• Meet with project proponents and draft agendas, meeting notes, follow-up correspondence.
• Liaise with terminal operators to maintain a database of current terminal capacities.
• Represent the port as liaison with industry, governments, and other stakeholders.
• Coordinate the activities of professional consultants (e.g., planning, engineering, business strategy) to carry out technical work to inform preparation of land use planning strategies and/or plans.
• Prepare and deliver communication materials including presentations, briefing notes and reports in different forums to internal and external audiences.

Success Profile
The successful candidate will have a university degree in planning, urban geography, engineering or business with a minimum of three years related experience in land use planning and policy development, experience in participating in engagement and consultation processes to develop land use policies, strategies, and plans, as well as eligibility for membership with the Canadian Institute of Planning. Previous experience working in a government, port authority, consulting firm or similar entity would be an asset. Must have experience in preparing or coordinating the preparation of land development concepts, plans and strategies. Experience in stakeholder engagement, public consultation and the use of project management tools and processes will also be an asset. Strong technical writing skills and proficiency in the use of current office productivity software is required.

The successful candidate will have a high degree of initiative, interpersonal skills and good judgement are required. Must have excellent written and verbal communications skills and be able to effectively communicate complex technical information and proposals to a range of audiences. Must be able to communicate tactfully and positively and is able to forge relationships and influence and advocate VFPA interests with stakeholders, including senior representatives from business and government. Must exhibit a strong orientation towards customer service and ability to work both independently and in a team environment. Must be organized with an attention to detail and consistently deliver a high level of accuracy. Should enjoy working in a fast-paced environment and be able to effectively manage competing priorities.

Terms & Hours :

The starting salary for this role is $97,480.50 per annum. The Port Authority offers a competitive compensation and benefits package as well as an Earned Time Off and Flexible and Remote Work program. This position works 37.5 hours per week. Normal office conditions with occasional travel to VFPA properties. After-hours participation in public meetings, workshops and other meetings, as required.

The health and safety of our employees is a priority, and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is committed to ensuring a safe workplace. Vaccinations, in combination with other preventative health and safety measures, offer the best available protection against COVID-19 and that is why port authority employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Providing proof of vaccination against COVID-19 is a condition of employment.

Candidates may be accommodated for this requirement if they are approved for a legal exemption; accommodation may be requested only for religious and medical reasons, or other protected grounds under the Canadian Human Rights Act. If you’re seeking accommodation to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement, please indicate your request during the recruitment process.