Principal Open Space Planner (Planner II) Job Listing at City of Edmonton in Edmonton, AB (Job ID 54873)

Description

Are you passionate about Edmonton's River Valley and natural areas? Do you wish to contribute to the future of Edmonton's parks and open space system?

As a Principal Open Space Planner within the Open Space Strategy unit of the Planning and Environmental Services branch, you will act as a subject matter expert and leader in recreational, ecological, and open space planning. You will contribute to the protection and enhancement of the River Valley and Ravine System by playing a lead role in the development of a River Valley Trail Strategy, which will guide the planning and management of Edmonton's river valley trail system. You will provide subject matter expertise in the areas of recreation planning, urban ecology, and parks planning.

What will you do?

To support the development of a River Valley Trail Strategy, you will:

• Apply advanced knowledge of outdoor recreation planning, urban ecology, environmental planning, and land use planning
• Provide technical advice on the application of outdoor recreation, open space planning, and urban ecology principles
• Apply and implement direction in the Ribbon of Green Strategic Plan and other City plans, strategies, and policies guiding management and outdoor recreation in the River Valley and Ravine System
• Prepare engagement materials and facilitate engagement with the general public, Indigenous Nations and communities, interested parties, and colleagues across the City of Edmonton
• Plan and oversee the work of external consultants delivering biophysical assessments, technical studies, and external engagement
• Review project deliverables for alignment with project scope, schedule, and overall outcomes
• Prepare briefings, technical reports, and memos to share information with a variety of technical and non-technical audiences and support decision-making by senior administration and City Council
• Coordinate detailed interdisciplinary studies and reports
• Contribute to work plans and methodologies for data collection and spatial analysis
• Contribute to the creation and maintenance of datasets and provide data driven analysis to support technical analysis and decision-making
• Lead and support project management tasks including scoping, contract management, and time and cost controls

In addition, you will:

• Participate on inter-departmental and branch teams to advance the City's policies and strategies for ecological and parks planning, and support the incorporation of open space policy and strategy as part of City projects and initiatives
• Demonstrate leadership competencies to support the Senior Planner and section leadership in advancing team priorities
• Perform other related duties as required

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Recreation, Urban and Regional Planning, Landscape Architecture, or a degree related to the functions specific to the position; a Master's Degree in these areas is preferred
• A minimum of four years of progressively relevant and responsible experience, including open space planning, ecological planning, environmental management, recreation planning, policy development, spatial analysis, and/or project management

Assets:

Membership or eligibility for membership with one or more of the following professional organizations (or their equivalent):

• Alberta Society of Professional Biologists
• Association of Alberta Forest Management Professionals
• Alberta Institute of Agrologists
• Alberta Association of Landscape Architects
• Designations or specific training in ESRI GIS software

Skills Required for Success:

• Detailed knowledge of the principles and practices of open space and environmental planning
• Experience working with and integrating multiple planning functions, including recreation planning, ecological or environmental planning, and parks planning
• Demonstrated experience or knowledge applying parks and ecological planning plans and policies in municipal, regional, provincial, or federal contexts
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of internal and external partners and collaborators, and ability to appropriately engage the public
• Ability to build personal networks, establishing and maintaining effective working relationships across City Departments and externally with industry, government, and community partners
• Well-developed critical thinking skills
• Ability to communicate complex information effectively both orally and in writing
• Ability to find and/or negotiate solutions to complex issues while operating in a politicized environment
• Excellent time management and project management skills
• Alignment to our Cultural Commitments and Leadership Competencies (https://bit.ly/4brRrXm)
• Embracing a culture of equity, diversity, reconciliation and inclusion
• Applicants may be tested

Work Environment:

• Note: This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement with the flexibility to work from both home and the worksite as per the Letter of Understanding between the City of Edmonton and Civic Service Union 52
• The weekly hours of work for this position are currently under review and may change at a future time. Any changes will be made in accordance with the City of Edmonton/Civic Service Union 52 collective agreement and the incumbent will be notified in advance

The City of Edmonton values applicants with a diverse range of skills, experiences and competencies, and encourages you to apply. We strive to provide reasonable access and accommodations throughout the recruitment process. To request an accommodation, please contact employment@edmonton.ca. Learn more about our benefits https://bit.ly/COEbenefits.

Up to 1 temporary full-time position for up to 33 months

Hours of Work: 33.75 hours per week

Salary Range: $54.155 - $69.110 (Hourly); $95,407.570 - $121,754.540 (Annually)

Recruitment Consultant: JF/SO

Edmonton rests in the heart of Treaty Six territory in Alberta and the homelands of the Métis Nation.

Classification Title: Planner II
Posting Date: Mar 19, 2026
Closing Date: Apr 09, 2025 11:59:00 PM (MDT)
Number of Openings (up to): 1 - Temporary Full-time
Union: CSU 52
Department: Urban Planning and Economy
Work Location(s): 7th Floor Edmonton Tower, 10111 104 Avenue Edmonton T5J 0J4

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