The City of Richmond is a diverse and dynamic community in pursuit of our vision
to be the most appealing, livable and well-managed community in Canada.

People l Excellence l Leadership l Team l Innovation

Imagine a career with the City of Richmond, a dynamic environment for growth and continuous improvement, fostered by our collective strengths and creativity. We are a vibrant, diverse cosmopolitan city, supported by a strong economy and recognized as leaders in innovation and service delivery excellence. The City of Richmond is committed to be the most appealing, livable, well-managed community in Canada, a goal that is only made possible by developing our most valuable asset – our people. This is a great opportunity to join our team and shape our community.

Planner 2 (Affordable Housing)

Reporting directly to the Manager, Affordable Housing, the Planner 2 (Affordable Housing) coordinates affordable housing developments, supports housing policy and research initiatives, manages studies and consultants, and liaises with a range of internal and external stakeholders to advance the City’s affordable housing objectives. Work performance is evaluated in terms of demonstrating a professional results-oriented focus, customer service attitude and providing high quality research, options, analysis, recommendations, report writing, editing, team building and workload management with minimal supervision.

Examples of key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Advancing the City’s affordable housing objectives by coordinating new affordable housing developments on City-owned land.
• Supporting the Manager, Affordable Housing in completing major policy and research initiatives, including updates to the City’s Low End Market Rental program.
• Coordinating communications and engagement activities for the City’s affordable housing developments and housing policy initiatives.
• Establishing collaborative relationships with a range of internal departments (e.g. Development Applications, Policy Planning and Transportation) and external stakeholders, including non-profit housing providers, community organizations and representatives from BC Housing and CMHC.
• Reviewing and providing advice on complex development applications (e.g. market rental and affordable housing developments).
• Investigating potential grants, capital funding, and other opportunities to enhance and sustain Richmond’s affordable housing objectives.
• Responding to information requests from the public, staff, council, and external agencies.
• Collaborating on other priority initiatives of the Community Social Development Department (e.g. Social Development Strategy and Affordable Housing Strategy implementation).
• Representing the City’s affordable housing interests in public forums (e.g. at Council, Planning Committee, Public Hearings, Metro Vancouver committees).
• Effectively managing comprehensive work programs, staff teams, budgets and consultants.

• Knowledge of affordable housing and community planning practices, principles, policies, methods and procedures in a municipal setting.
• Knowledge of the affordable housing sector, including the roles of the provincial and federal governments, non-profit housing providers, and the private sector.
• Up to date knowledge of social, economic, political and demographic factors related to housing needs in Richmond and Metro Vancouver.
• Experience in any of the following could be considered an asset:
  • Policy and strategy development
  • Advancing affordable housing developments through the municipal planning process
  • Research methods for assessing demand for affordable housing
• Ability to communicate professionally (e.g. write and edit complex reports, speak publicly).
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, government agencies, clients and the public with courtesy, tact and discretion.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel.
• Ability to use REDMS or a similar Records Management System.
• Ability to successfully clear a Police Information Check.

• A Master's Degree in Community Planning or related field (e.g. Architecture, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture).
• A total of over 2 years and up to and including 5 years of professional experience in affordable housing policy development.
• An equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be considered.  
• Eligibility or membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) and Planning Institute of B.C. (PIBC) is required. 
• Valid Class 5 Driver’s Licence for the Province of British Columbia.

• Work is performed in an office environment.

The City of Richmond offers a competitive pay and benefits program, attractive incentives and a compressed work day schedule. If you are looking to make a difference, and to share our vision “to be the most appealing, livable, and well-managed community in Canada,” please submit your application by following the instructions below:

The City of Richmond uses an applicant tracking system for candidates wishing to view and apply for available career opportunities. For further information regarding position details and to apply, please visit our website at https://tre.tbe.taleo.net/tre01/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=TRQS8M&cws=37&rid=1417.

We are accepting applications until May 31, 2023