As a central hub in the Metro Vancouver area, the City of New Westminster delivers a broad spectrum of urban services to over 85,000 residents. New Westminster is rich in history with a viable and thriving economy and has a population representative of the diversity of the region. The City is staffed by talented and dedicated employees who work together to achieve its strategic vision. We have earned a proud reputation for civic leadership, service delivery, and outstanding employee relations.

The Planning and Development department is looking for an enthusiastic Planning Assistant 2 within the Development Planning Division.

Your key accountabilities include:

· Providing administrative and technical support to the Planning Division’s planners on development applications.

· Setting up development application files and coordinating inter-departmental review.

· Managing minor files such as Sign Permits, Development Variance Permits and Development Permits.

· Reviewing development applications for completeness.

· Coordination of property sale agreements as related to development applications.

· Reviewing legal documents and coordinating with counsel as related to development applications.

· Tracking development application requirements, such as bond releases, and DCC/ACC Calculations including those that are enshrined within development covenants, and which are tied to various stages of the approval process.

· Performing research as related to trends and issues relevant to the work of the division, as required.

· Assisting with administration and interpretation of the City's Zoning bylaw.

· Preparing and circulating referral memos and other template documents.

· Preparing and distributing letters and other correspondence to external applicants and agencies.

· Documenting permits and supporting the issuance of permits.

· Filing documents using the City’s file management tools.

· Performing other administrative and planning related tasks as assigned by supervisor.

If you have the following qualifications and attributes, we want to hear from you!

· Grade 12 supplemented by technical courses related to the work, some experience in a clerical role; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

· Post-secondary education in planning, architecture, urban design or paralegal studies would be considered a strong asset.

· Previous experience as Planning Clerk or Planning Assistant 1 would be considered an asset.

· Sound knowledge of the bylaws, regulations, policies, practices and procedures applicable to the work.

· Ability to read and understand architectural, landscape and other submissions related to development applications.

· Ability to read and understand legal documents such as covenants and statutory rights of way as related to development applications.

· Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of internal and external contacts, and to employ contemporary service excellence principles.

· Ability to explain and apply various procedures and to assist various contacts on matters related to the work.

· Ability to maintain records using permitting and file management methods and tools (EDMS and Tempest) applicable to municipal planning work.

· Skill in the use of MS Office software (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint).

· Strong written and verbal communication as well as listening skills.

· Skills in the use of design software such as Adobe Creative Suite as well as MS Visio would be considered assets.

· Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and effectively as part of an integrated team.