Transportation Planner

The Role

Develops, negotiates, and recommends conditions for development applications for transportation, transit, rapid transit, and corridor projects (e.g., access, road improvements, storm water management, road allowance widenings, noise abatement, lot grading). Conducts site inspections, research, and prepares reports. 

Duties/Responsibilities

• 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 widenings, daylighting, traffic impact studies, road design, storm water management, lot grading and drainage, fencing). Approves release of conditions through field inspections, plan and document reviews, and the 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 approvals process. Provides expert testimony at the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB), and represents the Region's position in areas under dispute.
• As delegated by the Ministry of the Environment, prepares/reviews noise assessments 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 or area municipal staff. 
• Reviews and processes applications for access onto regional roads, per policies. Conducts on-site inspections to determine development conditions. Coordinates with other regional and area municipal departments to ensure concerns are addressed before issuing permits. 
• Informs 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), related to projects being considered. Takes minutes, as needed. 
• 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 regional transportation planning and development issues.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• 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 reports for Planning and 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 plan and other development applications, provides design details and approvals to consultants/contractors, coordinates bus stop installations with staff and suppliers/ contractors). 
• Exchanges information with engineers and Traffic Services staff on development applications and construction projects. Coordinates requested road improvements with Design & Construction. Contacts Legal Services regarding the preparation of development agreements to be registered on title and to conduct property title searches.
• Arranges cost sharing between private developers and the Region on projects. Negotiates and provides information for the public, developers, rate payer groups, property owners, politicians, engineering and planning consultants, land surveyors, lawyers, utility representatives and government agencies. Works with area municipal staff, consultants, and developers regarding project planning and approvals and options.
• Collects financial security from developers for 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 Civil Engineering Technology or a related field, plus 3 years of experience reviewing development applications for transportation and or transportation noise impacts.
• Must have or be eligible for membership in the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) at the Technologist level.
• 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 completed an approved environmental noise assessment in land use planning course at time of hire, or complete within a reasonable time post-hire. 
• Knowledge of and ability to follow corporate policies and procedures, highway and urban road design principles, relevant standards, and legislation (e.g., 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, Regional noise policies and guidelines).
• Human relations, negotiation, and communication skills to negotiate with the development community; present complex technical reports to Committees and Council; respond to inquiries from developers and the public; gain the support, commitment, and co-operation of other regional and area municipal staff in achieving objectives; 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 reports for Committees and Council, and letters 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).
• Ability to travel within Waterloo Region.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.