The City Planning Division is launching a Study that will examine ways to focus and shape anticipated growth around the intersection of Don Mills Road and Eglinton Avenue East. Building on the work of Eglinton Connects, the Study will look to improve connections to the surrounding areas, lay out a network of public streets, parks and open space, examine built form alternatives and solutions, and identify and locate community services necessary to support the next wave of city building in the area. Join City Planning’s study team and apply your extensive urban design – public realm experience in helping to plan for building new complete communities in the Don Mills and Eglinton area.

Major Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Urban Design Program Manager and working directly with the Project Manager as a member of the Study team, the Senior Urban Design Planner will undertake study-related work including built form, public realm and open space analysis. This will inform the study’s deliverables including secondary plan policies and implementation tools, and ultimately shape the area’s urban evolution. In addressing these responsibilities the individual will be required to:

• Have a comprehensive understanding of the built form, parcel and block challenges and opportunities on large complex sites similar to the Don Mills and Eglinton area
• Conduct complex planning studies, policy analysis and/or research, including the coordination of staff and consultant teams to support the preparation and evaluation of urban design policy, research and analysis and urban design guidelines;
• Facilitate stakeholder meetings and major community engagement initiatives.
• Coordinate the built form policy work with the other components of the Don Mills & Eglinton Study.
• Provide Urban Design input for all study initiatives and development interests
• Initiate, develop and recommend innovative urban design approaches to guide and better integrate the physical environment of the study area
• Coordinate urban design input, identify and analyze problems / opportunities in the public realm, and develop and implement design proposals and solutions
• Consult with interested parties and negotiates with interested stakeholders to produce superior urban design solutions
• Mentor, lead, coordinate and motivate other professional and support staff to ensure efficient and effective delivery of the study work program
• Represent the Division at meetings and committees
• Act as an expert witness before the Ontario Municipal Board

Key Qualifications:

Your application must describe your qualifications as they relate to:

1. University degree in architecture, landscape architecture or a related discipline, or the approved equivalent combination of education and experience.
2. Extensive experience leading complex urban design projects from conception to completion.
3. Extensive experience in urban design and public realm master plans in the municipal sector.
4. Extensive experience developing and implementing complex urban design and public realm plans, policies, guidelines and other implementing tools.
5. Extensive experience consulting, engaging and negotiating with the community, City Divisions, public and private agencies, and developers.
6. Extensive experience working in a multidisciplinary team setting.
7. Experience undertaking community engagement.
8. Membership or eligibility for membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners.

You must also have:

• Highly developed technical, analytical, design, graphic, verbal and written communication skills relating to urban design matters.
• Ability to work well and lead in a team environment.
• Ability to balance political, community and other stakeholder interests in the development and design of projects.
• Ability to work on assignments/projects demanding critical judgement and analytical thinking.
• Ability to use design industry standard software applications such as: Microstation, AutoCAD and Adobe (illustrator and Photoshop).
• Ability to develop and maintain solid internal and external relationships.
• Highly developed presentation and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing at all levels of the organization and with elected officials, and the public.
• Proven ability to community complies subject matters in a timely, clear and effective manner appropriate to different audiences.
• Ability to travel to various work sites across the City.
• Knowledge of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the Occupational Health and Safety Act and all relevant regulations that apply to the job duties.

Please note: The successful incumbent will have to travel to different work locations within the City, such as Metro Hall and North York Civic Centre.