Senior Transportation Planner (Regional Growth, Development and Sustainability Services)

The Role

Leads, develops, negotiates, and makes recommendations on complex initiatives for development applications for a wide range of transportation planning directives related to transit, rapid transit, and active and vehicular transportation projects. Provides independent professional transportation planning recommendations and expertise on complex studies, including traffic engineering, stormwater management, lot grading, noise abatement, active transportation, and road design.
 

Duties/Responsibilities

Coordinates and synthesizes information from multiple disciplines; reviews, assesses, and provides independent professional recommendations on a wide range of complex transportation planning projects, such as ensuring developments integrate regional directives concerning active and sustainable transportation facilities, efficient transit initiatives, and creating a roadway safe for all users. 

Leads negotiating planning process changes between the Region and municipal partners resulting from provincial legislation changes. Promotes the implementation of strategic goals and corporate interests through effective collaboration with partner planning agencies and stakeholders.  

Identifies opportunities for process improvements through collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. Provides recommended initiatives to Manager, implements changes, tracks results, and modifies as required to attain objectives. 

Provides technical and policy input on development applications, including official plans, subdivision/ condominium plans, zone change applications, consent/minor variance applications, and site plans. 

Develops and negotiates conditions for development applications for projects, including noise abatement facilities along regional and area municipal roads (e.g., road allowance widening, daylighting, traffic impact studies, road design, stormwater management, lot grading, drainage, fencing). 

Administers the process of assigning development applications and mentors junior staff through interpreting and implementing a wide range of technical specifications and practices relating to traffic engineering, stormwater management, lot grading, noise abatement, active transportation, and road design.

Coordinates daily activities of Transportation Planners.

Approves the release of conditions through field inspections, plan and document reviews, and collection of financial securities. 

Provides pre-consultation and technical advice regarding policies and requirements to professionals, property owners associated with land development, and area municipal staff.

Provides transportation planning comments on regional project development reports.

Defends recommendations for conditions of development approvals and development agreements throughout the approval process. Provides expert testimony at the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) and represents the Region's position in disputed areas.

As delegated by the Ministry, prepares/reviews noise assessment for existing and proposed developments adjacent to regional and area municipal roads, railways, and the Region of Waterloo International Airport and imposes requirements to mitigate noise. 

Coordinates comments from other regional staff pertaining to transit, rapid transit, and transportation demand management facilities and issues for development applications; responds to inquiries/ concerns; and prepares reports for divisional and/or area municipal staff. 

Reviews and processes applications for access onto regional roads, per policies. Conducts onsite inspections to determine development conditions. Coordinates with other regional and area municipal departments to ensure concerns are addressed before issuing permits. 

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

Chairs the regional Development Application Review Committee (DARC) of upcoming developments that may impact other regional projects and the 10-year construction forecast; coordinates committee comments on applications; and provides project updates (scheduling and status) for projects being considered. 

Represents the Region on committees (e.g., area municipal site plan review, subdivision coordinating committee, committees of adjustment), and at public consultation meetings and pre-consultation committees to review transportation planning and development issues.

Researches and determines requirements for the preparation of legal land surveys for the dedication of land to the Region for road allowance widening, road allowance closures, leases, potential contamination, and encroachments of regional road allowances.  

Prepares and reviews reports for Planning & Works Committee and Council related to amendments to the controlled access by-law.

Inspects project construction along regional road allowances; prepares the release of site plan conditions of approval; and advises of conditions in agreements and applications.

In consultation with Transit staff, provides technical and advisory support related to bus stop construction (e.g., reviews site plans and other development applications, provides design details and approvals to consultants/contractors, coordinates bus stop installations with staff and suppliers/ contractors). 

Arranges cost sharing between private developers and the Region on projects. 

Collects financial security from developers for regional road improvements ($5,000-$1.5M) and site plan fees. 

Maintains distance measuring devices in good working condition. 

Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge and skills are acquired through a 3-year degree/diploma in a related field (e.g., Civil Engineering Technology, Planning), plus 5 years of experience reviewing development applications for transportation. 

Knowledge of civil engineering technology, road design and construction, sewers, watermain and storm water management design and construction, construction procedures and costs, drafting, transportation planning, and legal interpretation of survey plans. 

Must have or be eligible for membership in the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) at the Technologist level.

Ability to complete an approved environmental noise assessment in land use planning course post- hire. 

Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, highway and urban road design principles, relevant standards and legislation including but not limited to: Regional Official Plan, Highway Traffic Act, Highway and Transportation Improvements Act, Municipal Act, Planning Act, Environmental Assessment Act, Development Charges Act, Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, noise guidelines).

Ability to exercise political sensitivity and judgment consistent with professional standards. 

Leadership, human relations, negotiation, and communication skills to negotiate satisfactory agreements with developers; collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to achieve objectives; provide information/conduct presentations to the public, politicians, senior staff, provincial and federal Ministries, and in Court/tribunal hearings; and participate as a team member. 

Ability to read and interpret research and technical reports, documents, policy and procedure manuals, and scientific literature. Ability to write clear, concise reports for Committees and Council, correspondence, and other documents requiring complex descriptions and explanations.

Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office, GIS, and road traffic noise prediction software (e.g., Stamson).

May be occasionally required to alter schedule to attend evening meetings.

Ability to travel within Waterloo Region.

Ability to support and demonstrate the Region's values.
 

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities