Job Description

Description
Senior Planning Technician
Job Status: Temporary Full-Time
Pay & Grade: $74,334 to $92,918 Annually Grade: 8
Hours of Work:35 Hours per week
Initial location: Kitchener City Hall
Posting period:July 24, 2025 to July 31, 2025 (at 6:00pm)
Overview
The Senior Planning Technicians play a key role in Kitchener's planning and development. They have a deep understanding of the city's zoning, fence, and sign bylaws, and their history. This knowledge helps them review and process various development applications, respond to inquiries, and assist with bylaw enforcement related to zoning, fences, or signs.
They also support different planning teams with technical matters and help with community engagement. As peer leaders, they offer advice and feedback to other planning staff on zoning, sign, and fence bylaw issues, ensuring consistent interpretation and handling of legal non-conformity.
Senior Planning Technicians are team players who are always looking for better ways to deliver services and improve processes.
Responsibilities

• Process a variety of development applications with a particular focus on complex zoning certificates, zoning review of building permits, site plans and minor variances (zoning, fence and sign bylaws).
• Respond to inquiries in-person, by phone and email regarding development and zoning related matters from the public and the development industry.
• Work with Bylaw enforcement and Legal staff regarding zoning, fence or sign by-law non-compliant properties and may present your opinion in legal proceedings as required.
• Participate in preparing general amendments to the Zoning, Sign or Fence By-law, including the associated staff report and community engagement.
• Conduct site visits and inspections related to assigned development applications and sign permits.
• Together with the lead planner or project manager, you support complex development applications and city-led planning initiatives such as community engagement (e.g., as coordination of engagement sessions and notices, synthesizing responses, preparation of engagement materials).
• Support customer experience and efficient workflows and initiate and support process improvements for various aspects of your core service.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 2-year post-secondary diploma or training in land use planning or related field.
• 2 to 4 years work experience in a planning related field such as reviewing and applying planning policies and zoning bylaws and communicating planning and zoning matters in plain language.
• Full membership in the Canadian Association of Certified Planning Technicians or working towards eligibility.
• Working understanding of City, Regional, and Provincial planning regulations, guidelines, policies and standards (e.g., Official Plan, Zoning By-law, Sign Bylaw, Fence Bylaw, Urban Design Manual, Planning Act, Municipal Act) to form your professional opinions.
• Strong demonstrated analytical and mathematical skills to verify zoning conformity through review of site plans and architectural drawings, bylaws, property research and by conducting calculations to verify conformity with bylaw regulations (e.g., parking calculations, lot coverage).
• Strong demonstrated oral and written communication skills as well as applied and adaptable computer skills (e.g., AMANDA, Adobe Pro, On-Point, Bluebeam).
• Experience managing multiple files or projects concurrently.
• Ability to identify competing interests and facilitate conflict resolution.
• Ability to support and project values compatible with the organization.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends with advanced notice for community engagement events or Council meetings.
• Valid MTO G class driver's license in good standing.
• Reliable with a good attitude and employment record.

Department/Division:Development Services, Planning and Housing Policy
Group: CUPE 791
Competition Number: 2025-126B2
Job Code: 0686
Number of positions: 1