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Job Description / Duties

Specific Duties/Responsibilities
Supports the implementation of City strategies, policies, plans and guidelines related to social infrastructure, including the Greenest City Action Plan (Local Food Goal), Vancouver Food Strategy and the Social Infrastructure Strategy Action Plan
Provides coordination, planning, research and data analysis related to the goal of implementing the Social Infrastructure Strategy and the Vancouver Food Strategy
Provides oversight over and collaborates with other departments (e.g. Planning, Urban Design & Sustainability, Real Estate and Facilities Management, Finance, Law) on the delivery of sustainable food systems and priority social infrastructure capital projects, including projects to help address service gaps in the DTES
Works within the City’s processes for planning and development (including rezoning and development permit processes), legal agreements (leases and licenses) and capital granting to support the delivery of social infrastructure and food systems requirements
Convenes internal and external stakeholders, including the Food Policy Council, development community, senior government, non-profit organizations and agencies and makes recommendations
Leads the development of recommendations, reports and presentations to City Council, and Council Committees
Supervises staff including planners, analysts, consultants and interns
Other duties as assigned

Qualifications / Required Skills

Minimum Qualification Requirements
Education and Experience:
Demonstrated experience and commitment to the creation and support of social infrastructure with a focus on food systems/assets
Thorough knowledge of the development planning process
University degree in Urban Planning, Social Sciences or related field with progressive experience at a professional level (minimum 5 years), or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Relevant lived experience combined with a broad perspective lens on supporting best practices in advancing equity, reconciliation, and inclusion within social infrastructure, is preferred


Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Demonstrated commitment to working towards reconciliation, equity, and inclusion.
Working experience with urban Indigenous communities, racialized communities and communities in the DTES strongly preferred.
Working experience with Vancouver’s food organizations, agencies, business and community groups, particularly those serving inequitably treated populations preferred
Working experience with food policy and sustainable food systems issues, including knowledge of the Vancouver Food Strategy and food assets preferred
Strong understanding of trends and challenges facing social non-profit sector in Vancouver, including space needs, funding, operational and budgetary concerns, service gaps, etc.
Demonstrated experience with community development approaches and principles
Ability to support non-profits in navigating the City planning and development processes
Ability to create and maintain collaborative working relationships with partners to address complex social issues, including partners in senior government, non-profit organizations, and staff and managers across other City departments (e.g. Park Board, Engineering Services, Planning & Development Services, Real Estate and Facilities Management, Law)
Prepares and manages work programs, including supervising other professional and technical staff and external consultants.
Ability to prepare complex reports and information to Council and present complex material to City staff, senior management, external agencies, the public
Ability to supervise professional and technical staff assigned to various projects and direct the work of consultants engaged on projects
Ability to deal with sensitive issues with diplomacy and tact
Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a dynamic work environment
Ability to adjust to a complex organizational structure with shifting priorities on highly politicized issues
Other duties/responsibilities as assigned

Additional Information

Business Unit/Department: Arts, Culture and Community Services (1200)
Affiliation: CUPE 15
Employment Type: Temporary Full Time
Position Start Date: May, 2021
Position End Date: May, 2023
Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-31: $48.78 to $57.70 per hour

Application Close: March 21, 2021
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, LGBT2Q+ and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. If you would like to be considered for this exciting and impactful career opportunity, please apply through 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.

Contact Information

Please apply via the City of Vancouver website: https://jobs.vancouver.ca/job/Vancouver-Social-Planner-II-Social-Infrastructure-Food-Systems-Brit/722715800/

Employer Profile

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), 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.

Main Purpose and Function
The Social Planner II Social Infrastructure – Food Systems is responsible for working with community groups, private and non-profit sectors, developers, investors and partners, local agencies and senior government on the delivery of sustainable food systems and to steer the delivery or replacement of priority social infrastructure capital projects, including projects to help address service gaps in the DTES and across the city. The position plays an important role in coordinating, planning and implementing a variety of programs and project specific work related to securing and reviewing designs for social-purpose facilities, as well as supporting non-profit providers in the delivery of needed social services and programs.

This position works within the City’s processes for planning and development, developing legal agreements and delivering capital grants. The position brings expertise to a range of complex issues and needs, working collaboratively to support critical decisions, partnerships, projects, plans and strategies. The work requires significant coordination of interests across City departments, the private sector, non-profit sector, advocacy groups and other external stakeholders.

This position supports the implementation of City strategies, policies and guidelines related to social infrastructure, as well as the work of inter-related City policy, priorities and guidelines, including, but not limited to the City of Reconciliation Framework, the Equity Framework, the Women’s Equity Strategy, the Healthy City Strategy, Poverty Reduction, and the Vancouver Food Strategy.

Key Contacts and Reporting Relationships
Reports to Managing Director of Social Policy and Projects and a Senior Planner in Social Policy and Projects, and supervises one or more junior staff positions. The position works closely with internal and external stakeholders on a regular basis.