Job Description

Position Summary
The Planning & Policy team supports the Toronto Parking Authority in the identification of locations where municipal parking is required both on-street and off-street, determining and setting the policies and prices for that parking, and ensuring the delivery is undertaken in a customer-first manner while profitably maximizing revenues. Reporting to the Associate Director, Planning & Policy, the Senior Planner strategically manages the supply of parking and applies advanced research and analytical techniques by connecting the dots between operations, insights, and pricing to grow margins and profitability. In addition, the Senior Planner is the main representative for the TPA to other City Divisions and Agencies with respect to ensuring that the TPA\xe2\x80\x99s requirements are understood and respected in City-Building Initiatives such as joint venture developments involving TPA facilities, amendments to the Official Plan and Zoning By-laws, planning studies and Environmental Assessment reviews.Responsibilities
Research, Analysis and Reporting

• Prepares the on and off-street rate reviews including the coordination of data gathering/surveys and consultations with stakeholders.
• Prepares staff reports and briefing notes for submission to the Standing Committees of Council on behalf of the President, TPA, and to the meetings of the Board of Directors of the TPA.
• Conducts parking supply and demand analyses in support of the TPA\xe2\x80\x99s development activities, including the preparation of reports for management consideration.
• Compiles and analyzes demographic, economic, social, cultural and physical data in the City of Toronto, and prepares reports on transportation issues affecting the TPA. Designs, conducts and/or coordinates research and analysis activities and surveys.
• Prepares and reviews City of Toronto by-laws and Municipal Code Chapters relating to parking and other transportation and planning matters.
• Monitors City initiatives to identify land-use changes and other activities which may impact on TPA initiatives.
• Designs, co-ordinates and undertakes various planning studies including traffic impact studies, technology assessments and reviews of internal and external policy initiatives.
• Maintains an awareness of developments and advancements in the transportation planning field.

Policy Creation and Strategic Guidance

• Specializes in the creation and application of TPA policies associated with the setting of parking rates, enforcement practices and other parking and transportation related activities. Provides expertise on the application of these policies within the TPA and to the broader city, other governments and outside stakeholders.
• Provides strategic guidance to technology initiatives including digital payments and parking and revenue control systems.

Planning Approvals/Permits

• As required, is responsible for obtaining all required planning approvals and permits relating to TPA projects including zoning by-law amendments, official plan amendments, development review applications and minor variance applications on behalf of the TPA.

Supervision and Leadership

• Arranges the hiring of and provides work direction on research, analysis, surveys, report writing assignments, and other activities of contract, part time and student employees in conducting technical investigations, studies and surveys on behalf of the TPA.
• Manages the relationship with external vendors to support capital projects at TPA facilities.

Collaboration with City of Toronto and Other Stakeholders

• Assists in the formulation of transportation policies and provides input into scheduled reviews of the City\xe2\x80\x99s Official Plan Review, including the transportation, land use and urban design policies, and assists in the implementation of short and long term recommendations of the City of Toronto\xe2\x80\x99s Official Plan.
• Reviews and comments on parking, transportation and infrastructure studies submitted in support of development applications, and assesses the impacts of the proposed modifications to parking.
• Represents and provides parking-related comments for environmental assessment projects, related to transportation infrastructure.
• Researches/reports on various transportation, and infrastructure related planning policy matters to various committees, City Council, and to other committees of Council, as required.
• Prepares parking-related items for terms of reference and study designs for transportation planning studies and other consultant studies and directs the day-to-day activities of the consultant teams in conducting studies on behalf of the TPA.
• Consults with and evaluates the implications of transportation planning and policy initiatives of other City divisions, area municipalities, their jurisdictions and transportation agencies and ensures the integration of TPA interests, strategies, priorities and policies in the
• development of community plans, large-site redevelopments, re-zonings, development, permits and other city-wide planning initiatives.
• Designs and conducts primary research within the City of Toronto and represents the TPA on inter-regional/intra-departmental data collection and transportation research initiatives.
• Represents the department and TPA as required on project-specific inter-departmental and intergovernmental working groups, technical advisory committees and other City initiated-studies dealing with transportation planning, policy and infrastructure matters.
• Attends and represents the Toronto Parking Authority at Council, various internal and external committees, public meetings, hearings, and liaises with City Councillors as required.
• Provides information and advice in response to inquiries from elected officials, representatives of senior government ministries and other municipalities, other government departments, agencies, consultants, stakeholders and the public.
• Maintains working relationships with other Divisions to ensure effective partnerships within the City of Toronto
• Conducts field work and site visits as required.
• Performs additional similar and related duties as assigned.

Other Duties

• Prepares and evaluates financial pro formas in support of TPA development activities, including calculations of special levies.
• Assists in the preparation of the annual capital budget and the annual forecasts of revenues and cars parked at TPA facilities.
• Ensures that TPA Planning databases, including the Management Information Systems Book and Carpark Data Handbooks are complete and up to date.
• Undertakes other activities associated with the TPA\xe2\x80\x99s policy, planning and development activities.

Qualifications

• University degree in a related discipline including Urban Planning, Environmental Studies, Engineering or Economics, with associated specialization in areas such as transportation planning, business and public administration.
• Registered Professional Planner (RPP) and full Member with the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) and/or the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI).
• 3-5 years of experience in transportation planning or related field.
• Experience in delivering transportation planning and/or parking projects, while balancing political, community and other stakeholder interests.
• Training and experience in developing quantitative and survey research methodologies, data management, analysis of demographic, social, economic and environmental trends, and interpretation of data coupled, with strong analytical and organizational skills including graphical representation of statistics.
• Experience in designing and conducting observation and interview surveys and the subsequent statistical analysis of data collected.
• Experience reading and interpreting plans of survey and architectural drawings.
• Thorough understanding of land-use zoning by-laws, regulations and policies governing parking operations.
• Knowledge of financial pro forma preparation as it applies to capital investment decisions.
• Knowledge of planning process and Ontario Planning Act, Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Process, and the Official Plan.
• Knowledge of fundamental principles, policies, and practices of transportation planning.
• Experience in assisting with the implementation of public engagement programs for transportation studies would be considered an asset.
• Ability to work with a minimum of supervision in the office and on field assignments.
• Willingness and ability to conduct surveys in the field during core and non-core work hours.
• Ability to understand technical specifications such as plans of survey, and to follow complex administrative processes.
• Ability to work as a team member demonstrating leadership and organizational capabilities.
• Excellent public relations and presentation skills and able to effectively deal with other staff, members of Council, developers, agencies and the public.
• Knowledge of the use of computers and software packages for data analysis, report and presentation preparation including experience with a database management system, spreadsheets and graphics package. Some familiarity with the use of G.I.S. applications.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently and as a dynamic, contributing member in a team environment.
• Can apply sound judgment and demonstrate initiative with a minimum of supervision.
• Ability to prepare clear and succinct reports and correspondence.

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Toronto Parking Authority