Job Information
City of Toronto PROJECT OFFICER DEVELOPMENT PF&R in Toronto, Ontario
PROJECT OFFICER DEVELOPMENT PF&R
Job ID: 49236
Job Category: Project Management
Division & Section: Parks, Forestry & Recreation, PFR PPSI Parks Planning & Strategic Init
Work Location: Metro Hall, 55 John Street and North York Civic Center, 5100 Yonge Street
Job Type & Duration: 1 Permanent, 1 Temporary (36 months) vacancies
Salary: $102,155.00 - $138,815.00
Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week
Affiliation: Non-Union
Number of Positions Open: 2
Posting Period: 09-Sep-2024 to 23-Sep-2024
Job Summary:
Reporting to theSenior ProjectManager,Landscape Architecture Unit,Park Design in the Parks Planning and Strategic Projects Branch, the Project Officer will take a lead role in the delivery of a range of strategic parkland initiatives, park master plans, design processes and other projects, with a focus on advancing divisional and City wide objectives related to excellence in park planning and design and enhancing the livability of Toronto's neighbourhoods and communities.
Major Responsiblities:
Develops and manages a range of park planning and design projects, recommends creative/innovative solutions to complex challenges and projects in collaboration with other Divisions and a range of partners, through negotiation and consensus building.
Represents the division and supports the Senior Project Manager and Manager by providing leadership and technical expertise on a range of project, community consultation, partnership and Committee meetings with Members of Council, service providers, other orders of government, outside agencies and community groups, environmental groups and other stakeholders to support strategic divisional and corporate initiatives.
Facilitates and engages the public, partners and other stakeholders in the planning/design processes and represents the City's/Division's interests in a variety of public forums as a champion of city building initiatives. Leads the engagement discussion by providing relevant expertise, information and analysis.
Advises and reports on park planning and design issues related to Divisional objectives, including assessing demographic and societal trends which impact long range planning and development of residential and commercial uses in the City. Coordinates research and analysis activities and surveys.
Assesses and co-ordinates complex development applications from intake to approval in accordance with Council directed and legislative policies and approval timelines while addressing the City's parkland and recreation interests including the review and applicability of the Parkland Strategy and the Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan. Makes recommendations for reporting to Committees and Council on these matters.
Oversees assigned projects, mentors, provides support, motivates, and trains staff, ensuring effective teamwork, high standards of work quality and organizational performance, continuous learning and encourages innovation in others.
Presents evidence and provides professional opinion to support the City and Council's position.
Tracks development activity to ensure the land use is consistent with the vision of Council through the Official Plan as it relates to parkland and recreation matters. Assesses current practice and makes recommendations to improve operational efficiencies.
Represents the Division at Community Councils, Standing Committees and meetings with community groups, citizens, elected officials and other Divisions.
Provides direction and input to all reports that are prepared and presented to Standing Committees and City Council which result in implementation decisions of Council addressing the City's Parkland and recreation interests.
Liaises with and coordinates input of other branches within Parks, Forestry and Recreation, agencies, other branches of government and landowners for development application reviews, studies and corporate initiatives.
Provides on-going strategic planning and development of city-wide service direction, policies and procedures in consultation with other City divisions, government agencies and thecommunity.
Reviews development applications and areas studies to ensure parks and recreation issues are captured. This includes delivering base and above base parks.
Cultivates effective working relations, serves as the division's representative to other division and consults with Members of Council and their staff, internal and external stakeholders, other divisions and members of the public on community and project committees, programs, services and in cross-divisional strategic planning and activities.
Establishes and maintains effective communications and partnerships with CityDivisions.
Develops briefing notes and reports for senior management, standing committees and Council on park design issues and development projects for strategic decision making; prepares and submits correspondence to senior management and provides input into various corporate and interdivisional projects. Supports other branches in the development of materials for presentation.
Investigates, reviews, and implements appropriate actions and responses for resolution related to development applications and matters that arise from deputations at Standing Committees or Community Council including issues, complaints or general inquiries received from Members of Council and the public.
Negotiates innovative solutions to complexpark design andplanning matters involving multiple stakeholders to achieve the division's planning and development objectives.
Prepares and presents reports, makes recommendations to Committees and Council on parkland and recreation facility planning issues as the divisional representative.
Assists with recruitment/creation of interviews and written assessments, posting revisions, creation of evaluation criteria; testing, marking and interviews for permanent, temporary full time and part time job competitions.
Ensures work is undertaken in a manner that supports City compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), Ontario Building Code, Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), and the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), etc.
Participates in staff investigations when required. Makes effective recommendations with respect to hiring, work assignments, performance appraisals and disciplinary action.
Ensures compliance with and a thorough understanding of corporate and divisional policies, procedures and guidelines, and City by-laws.
Key Qualifications:
Post-secondary education in landscape architecture, architecture, urban design, or a related discipline, and/or an equivalent combination of education andexperience.
Extensive experience in delivering complex parks and recreation design projects, involving a high degree of landscape architecture or urban design expertise.
Considerable project management experience requiring high level critical judgement and analytical thinking while coordinating or managing multiple and diverse projects involving a multi-disciplinary staff team.
Extensive experience with public consultation principles, techniques and implementation of consultation programs, working as an effective liaison between stakeholders (e.g. elected officials, internal and external client groups).
Extensive experience using design methodologies and processes, including report writing, data collection, analysis, mapping, graphics, presentations and use of appropriate computer applications, i.e. GIS, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, databases and Abode Creative Suite or equivalent.
Eligibility for membership in the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects.
Extensive knowledge of relevant legislation, policy requirements and master plans related to park and recreation planning and development, including the Planning Act, the Official Plan, the Development Review Process, the Parkland Strategy and Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan.
Ability to understand, convey and use technical information in Parks, Forestry and Recreation planning processes and initiatives.
Highly developed communication, interpersonal and presentation skills at all organizational levels; with excellent ability to communicate verbally and in writing with elected officials, the media and the public.
Ability to effectively represent the division, maintain internal and external relations and work with community and special interest groups, the general public, developers, public and private agencies, other City divisions and elected officials applying highly developed negotiation and consultation skills.
Ability to manage conflict and resolve issues in complex, multi-stakeholderprojects.
Knowledge of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and other regulations/legislation that apply to the job duties.
Note To Current City of Toronto Employees
City of Toronto employees are eligible to apply for the posted job opportunity, but cannot hold two different jobs. To be considered for this job posting, you must indicate that you are a "Current City of Toronto employee" on the on-line application form, and provide your "Employee Number".
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment toemployment equity (https://jobs.toronto.ca/jobsatcity/content/Hiring-Policies-and-Statements/?locale=en_US) .
Accommodation
The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request . Learn more about the City’sHiring Policies and Accommodation Process (https://jobs.toronto.ca/jobsatcity/content/Hiring-Policies-and-Statements/?locale=en_US) .