Search Homelessness Services Association of BC

Job Description / Duties

Main Purpose and Function

The Planner I position is a key role in the Non-Market Housing Development & Operations (NMHDO) Team within the Arts, Culture and Community Services Department to enhance relationships and engagement with non-profit operators/lessees, with the objective of ensuring effective monitoring and compliance with agreement requirements. Primary responsibilities include the development of agreements with non-profit and co-op housing delivery partners across the City’s portfolio of non-market housing assets (Vancouver Affordable Housing Endowment Fund – VAHEF) and ongoing administration, monitoring and enforcement of non-market housing leases to assess lessee compliance and performance.This position brings expertise and creativity to a range of complex issues, with project management skills to support critical decisions, projects and strategies.

The Planner I reports to the Planner II- Non-Market Housing Agreement Monitoring and Compliance and works as part of a team and along functional leads within the business unit (Portfolio Planning, Development and Operations).The work requires collaboration and cooperation across multiple City departments, with senior levels of government, the non-profit and co-op housing sectors, local community-serving organizations and advocacy groups, as well as private sector partners.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Procurement, Negotiations and Contract Development
- Supports development of business objectives, terms and scope for procurement documents with the Portfolio Planning and Development functional leads
- Supports negotiations with major partners and funders related to new partnerships, agreements and renewals; ensures legal, financial & policy interests of the City are protected and works closely with experts in other departments of the City administration (e.g. Real Estate, Environmental, Finance, Legal, Risk, Housing)
- Supports development of memorandums of understanding, term sheets, and various agreements with potential partners including land leases, service / operating agreements and licenses
- Supports negotiations and changes to existing agreements, over holding, extensions and renewal of existing agreements
- Supports development of housing capital grant agreement terms

Contract Management and Lease Monitoring
- Supports handover of VAHEF projects from development to operations/lease monitoring
Coordinates and establishes reporting relationships and procedures with partners for new projects reaching occupancy
- Implements a proactive procedure for monitoring and evaluating operators in a timely, ongoing manner, and lead on engagement and negotiation to ensure compliance from operators who may be operating contrary to agreed upon conditions.
- Contributes to the development of a system for cataloguing and monitoring agreements, as well as processes with which to seek operator compliance with those agreements.
- Clarifies expectations and increases accountability for both the City and non-profit and for profit housing operators/developers through increased interactions over the lease-term, improving City-operator relationships, mitigating potential legal issues, and protecting the City’s investments.
- Proactively identifies compliance issues at an early stage, enabling the City to engage with operators to address issues during the term of the agreement and before lease renewal, extension or redevelopment.
- Coordinates a system and processes to request and gather information aligned with partner reporting requirements
- Supports the compilation of, and reporting on, data and outcomes pertaining to lease monitoring, compliance and issues management for those agreements within the VAHEF portfolio
- Coordinates analysis and reporting of information submissions obtained from housing partners (lessees) with Senior Portfolio Planner and Senior Portfolio Analyst to support portfolio analysis and lessee performance evaluations
- Knowledge of, and collaborating with, a wide range of external organizations and internal City departments (Planning & Development Services, Real Estate & Facilities Management, Law, Finance, etc.,) in order to facilitate improvements to rental housing availability and tenant stability, as well as to effectively implement Council’s priorities related to improving rental housing and renting
- Liaise with the public, community groups, representatives of the development industry, non-profit/co-op housing providers, and senior government representatives and agencies.
Prepares reports and recommendations to senior staff and City Council
- Liaise with key staff across City departments to prevent duplication of work and inconsistent communication with staff and stakeholders.
- Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications / Required Skills

Qualifications

Education and Experience:
- A post-secondary degree in planning recognized by the Canadian Institute of Planners and a minimum of one year professional experience in the planning field, or an equivalent combination of post-secondary education and experience.
- Experience in municipal lease management would be an asset

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Considerable knowledge of leasing and agreement terminology, interpretation, and dispute resolution.
- Considerable knowledge of several of the following as they relate to planning: urban design, social sciences, law, economics, development practices and municipal finance.
- Working knowledge of project management philosophies and practices, including project scoping, budgeting, scheduling, and coordination of team activities.
- Working knowledge of the non-profit housing sector, non-market housing development and operations, housing planning and related policy development.
- Considerable methodological, analytical, creative and conceptual skills.
- Ability to supervise staff as needed.
- Ability to develop, review and assess financial and project analysis instruments.
- Ability to develop and present evidence-based recommendations to senior staff, governing bodies and stakeholders.
- Ability to build consensus in the delivery of support services and policy development both with internal departments and with external parties including community stakeholders in potentially contentious environments.
- Ability to speak effectively to a variety of audiences, including the general public, community and business groups and to city council.
- Ability to provide clear and concise reports both verbally and in writing.

Additional Information

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work remotely 1 – 4 days a week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite. At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

The City of Vancouver has a COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Policy. All external applicants applying to the City of Vancouver are required to be fully vaccinated as a condition of hire and subject to this policy as a condition of ongoing employment. Candidates may only be exempted from this requirement if they request and are approved for an accommodation based on a reason related to a Human Rights Code ground (such as disability). Such a request must be made during, not after, the recruitment process.

Business Unit/Department: Arts, Culture and Community Services (1200)
Affiliation: CUPE 15 Non Pks
Employment Type: Regular Full Time
Position Start Date: September 2022
Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-029: $47.57 to $56.25 per hour

Application Close: July 31, 2022
At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous applicants, people of colour, all genders, 2SLGBTQ+ and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Before you click Apply now

Once you start your application you can save your work and leave the applications page, however please remember to submit your profile to the specific job requisition before the posting closing date.

In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx. 5-10mins. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a tailored summary of skills and experience related to the position.

Salary: ay Grade GR-029: $47.57 to $56.25 per hour

Contact Information

Please submit your applications at: https://jobs.vancouver.ca/job-invite/35241/

Employer Profile

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable cities and is working towards being the greenest city in the world. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, decolonization, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.