Planner II - Accessibility (Parks & Recreation)

at  The City of Vancouver

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• A degree in planning or a related field such as architecture, or landscape architecture, and some professional experience in the park and recreation planning field, preferably supplemented by supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Certification through the Rick Hansen Foundation or a similar accessibility-focused certification body is preferred.
• Relevant lived experience with accessibility combined with a broad perspective lens on diversity is preferred.
• Professional, academic, and/or lived experience in research/developing solutions to remove barriers in one or multiple dimensions of inclusion is highly valued.
• Experience with diversity, inclusion, and equity considerations in a workplace environment and strengthening inclusionary culture within organization is preferred.
• Experience working in interdisciplinary project teams, facilitating meetings, evaluating proposals, communicating complex ideas, and making sound recommendations. Experience developing and implementing a range of engagement processes to include a broad range of public and stakeholder groups is an asset.
• Eligibility for membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners, Architectural Institute of BC, or BC Society of Landscape Architects is an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Considerable understanding of the principles of Universal design, adaptable design, access, and inclusion is preferred.
• Considerable knowledge of a broad range of disabilities and their implications for service delivery is preferred.
• Considerable knowledge of park planning, architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning; policy development; municipal parks and recreation trends; municipal planning and development processes; and environmental planning and urban sustainability initiatives.
• Working knowledge of applicable building codes/guidelines and relevant disability standards is preferred.
• Familiarity with the principles of reconciliation and decolonization.
• Considerable knowledge and ability to perform technical research, including planning and social research methodologies.
• Good knowledge of facility planning, asset management, and community recreation resources and programs.
• Good knowledge of capital planning and budgeting processes, both current and long-range.
• Ability to read and interpret architectural drawings, and other technical documents related to the built environment.
• Ability to achieve multiple program objectives within defined timelines, and manage complex projects, budgets, staff, and consultant teams effectively.
• Ability to communicate ideas effectively, both orally and in writing including report writing.
• Ability to develop ideas, synthesize large amounts of information, evaluate options, and make recommendations on parks and recreation.
• Ability to work effectively within the Park Board and with City officials and other interested groups including citizen groups.
• Ability to supervise staff.

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.
Business Unit/Department: Board of Parks & Recreation (1400)
Affiliation: CUPE 15 Parks
Employment Type: Regular Full Time
Position Start Date: April, 2024
Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-031: $56.27 to $66.55 per hour

MAIN PURPOSE AND FUNCTION

Working within the Park Board’s Strategic Initiatives group, this position focuses on improving accessibility and removing barriers for persons with disabilities who visit Park Board facilities and parks across the city. This includes developing and contributing to major projects, strategic planning efforts, and policy initiatives that direct the delivery of the City’s parks, recreation and natural systems as guided by VanPlay, the Park Board’s Master Plan.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serves as a team leader and project manager on complex projects, including:
• Developing project charters, and project plans, assembling project teams, and communicating project purpose, objectives, and desired outcomes.
• Developing and administering requests for proposals.
• Supporting projects and initiatives led by other staff, identifying risks and opportunities, sharing best practices, and problem-solving.
• Conducting research and surveys, undertaking internal and public consultation processes,
• Analyzing results and writing reports summarizing complex issues.
• Formulating policy, developing guidelines and making recommendations.
• Serves as an advisor and subject matter expert, on plans and projects led by other Park Board and City staff, including:
• Advising teams on Universal Design, Accessible Design, and access and inclusion practices.
• Tracking and sharing the latest accessibility legislation and best practices, synthesizing information and sharing it across the Park Board as appropriate.
• Assessing facilities onsite and through architectural drawings and preparing recommendations and implementation plans for accessibility improvements.
• Supporting projects and initiatives to improve accessibility and remove barriers for City of Vancouver staff as well as the public.
• Oversees consultant teams and supervises professional, technical, and clerical staff engaged in projects and administering budgets.
• Under the supervision of Planner III (Facilities), designs and conducts consultation with the public, stakeholders, and other departments and agencies on projects and in response to inquiries from the public
• Attends Park Board, City Council, and staff meetings as required, and other civic and outside meetings to represent the department and make presentations and answer questions (including occasional weekday evenings and weekends)
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned