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Job Description / Duties

Main Purpose & Function

Reporting to the Managing Director, the Community Economic Development Planner II (CED Planner) leads a staff group that is responsible for achieving increased local employment in particular for people with barriers to employment, enhanced community economic development and poverty reduction, and new business opportunities including social enterprises. The CED Planner and staff are part of a Strategic Initiatives Team with Social Policy and Projects.


Specific Duties & Responsibilities
The successful applicant will be expected to successfully lead community economic development and poverty reduction initiatives and coordinate an interdepartmental team of creative professionals and technical support staff to liaise with Business Improvement Associations, Non-profit Societies, Co-operatives, Social Enterprises, residents and entrepreneurs in implementing the DTES Plan local and other local community economic policies, economic projects and programs.


The position also plays a key role in the implementation of a DTES community economic development (CED) strategy in terms of local community priorities, the policies of the Healthy City Strategy, the DTES Plan, the Social Impact Assessment Report, Chinatown Transformation, the Punjabi Market, the DTES Market and other areas as examples. The position is also responsible for the implementation of the City’s Community Benefit Agreement policy as well as the creation of a Poverty Reduction Plan for the City of Vancouver.


This is a professional position requiring independent judgement and initiative in planning, implementing, facilitating, coordinating and executing several technical functions under the general supervision of the Senior Planner. The CED Planner II would be involved in a variety of tasks including:

Preparing and managing work programs;
Supervising staff;
Managing consultancies and project budgets;
Reviewing and aligning the City by-laws and policies to enable implementation;
Report writing, including complex Council reports;
Presenting complex material to staff, the public and City Council;
Establishing collaborative working relationships with community organizations, societies, social enterprises, businesses, business improvement associations, residents, property owners, developers and other stakeholders;
Designing, attending and facilitating community events that could include community forums, workshops and meetings (including weekday evenings and weekends);
Exercising considerable judgment and demonstrating professionalism, diplomacy, tact and discretion; Analyzing a wide variety of supporting data and information to assist in the formulation and implementation of planning policy, including public benefit needs assessments, economic studies and business surveys, monitoring of implementation progress in terms of the DTES Plan local economy targets and other data;
Co-ordination and implementation of the Poverty Reduction Plan, DTES Plan and CED Strategy projects in conjunction with resident groups, BIA’s, social enterprises, co-operatives and non-profit societies where necessary;
Monitoring and reviewing of CED Strategy and Community Benefit Agreement implementation progress;
Coordination with funding partners to leverage funding packages to achieve implementation outcomes;
Answering enquiries and corresponding with the public and other departments on matters related to projects, development, by-laws and policies;
Reviewing rezoning and development permit application proposals for the DTES and other low income neighbourhoods in a community economic development context;
Consulting with and advising staff of other departments on matters related to major economic projects, community economic development assignments and/or the Poverty Reduction and DTES Plans;
Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications / Required Skills

Qualifications
A university degree in economic planning, community economic development, community development planning, social justice or a related discipline
Extensive and progressive experience at a professional level (minimum of 5 years’ experience); or an equivalent combination of education and experience, would be preferred.
Experience with participatory research practices, is an asset
Proven experience working in community capacity building and community economic development.
Experience working with people with barriers, including substance use or mental health related barriers, combined with a broad perspective lens on equity, is an asset

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Demonstrate suitable professional experience in the economic planning and/or community development field, preferably from working in low-income, inner city communities.
Considerable understanding of equity and intersectionality and how to apply these concepts to the work; other complex socio-economic development issues related to social enterprises, the survival and shared economies, business improvement associations, co-operatives, community economic development, heritage and the impacts of development and change on different groups of people who are vulnerable and/or marginalized due to lack of adequate systems and supports.
Experience with the diverse and multiple challenges of the Downtown Eastside and other low income communities in Vancouver, local economy characteristics, heritage issues, public consultation and managing consultant assignments would be strong assets.
Demonstrate initiative and independent judgment in dealing with a variety of people and situations; as well as be a leader who can create partnerships and group initiatives to advance work programs within defined timelines.
Experience in developing and implementing a range of community engagement processes to include a broad range of public and stakeholder groups.
Demonstrated ability to clearly communicate complex issues through Council reports and presentations, and a demonstrated ability to deal with conflict.
Experience in producing and communicating with visual materials is desirable.
Working knowledge of the Community Benefit Agreement Policy, poverty reduction, the City's Land Use By-Laws, the DTES Plan, the Healthy City Strategy, and a broad knowledge of City services, programs and processes.

Additional Information

Business Unit/Department: Arts, Culture and Community Services (1200)
Affiliation: CUPE 15
Employment Type: Regular Full Time
Position Start Date: January 2021
Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-031: $48.78 to $57.70 per hour
Application Close: November 13, 2020


At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, including Indigenous applicants, all genders, nationalities and persons with disabilities. The City of Vancouver is always interested in adding high performing team members to its staff. If you would like to be considered for this exciting and impactful career opportunity, please apply on our careers site.

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Salary: Pay Grade GR-031: $48.78 to $57.70 per hour

Contact Information

Please apply via the city of Vancouver careers page: https://jobs.vancouver.ca/job/Vancouver-Social-Planner-II-Community-Economic-Development-Brit/689397100/

Employer Profile

The City of Vancouver is striving to become the greenest city in the world, and a city powered entirely by renewable energy before 2050. We are proud to be one of Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and one of Canada's Greenest Employers. With employees that have helped Vancouver consistently rank as one of the world's most livable cities, the City values a diverse workforce which represents the vibrant community we so proudly serve.

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