CITY OF COLWOOD

JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE: DEVELOPMENT SERVICES PLANNING TECHNICIAN

DEPARTMENT: DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

POSITION TYPE: FULL-TIME PERMANENT UNION POSITION

PAY GRADE: PAY GRADE 14

LAST UPDATED: NOVEMBER 2022 (under review)

NATURE AND SCOPE OF WORK

Reporting to the Manager of Development Services, the primary responsibility of this position is to provide
technical support to the Development Services team on land use planning and development processes
and to provide exceptional front-line service to internal and external clients.

This role is responsible for application intake, plan checks, interpreting the Land Use Bylaw, responding to
public inquiries as well as some general administrative duties in support of the department. Working
within a service-oriented team environment, at times the position may be assigned to provide
administrative support to other departmental teams within the City.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responds to development services inquiries from the public and developers regarding interpreting

relaying the Land Use Bylaw regulations, development application requirements, application status
updates and other general planning related questions. Assists with administrative work in the
Development Services Department including intake of land use applications.

• Prepares detailed reports on routine applications for Development Variance Permits and the Board of

Variance.

• Reviews and prepares Environmental, Hazardous Conditions, and Intensive Residential Form and

Character Development Permits for review by the Director.

• Reviews building permit plans for conformance with planning and land-use policy and regulations.

• Reviews tree permits, sign permit, secondary suite permit and business license applications for

compliance with all applicable regulations, permits and policies.

• Prepares technical reports, working papers and presentations on planning matters for Committees,

Council, and for public information, as required.

• Composes correspondence related to the verification of land use regulations and related policy

documents with internal departments and external agencies, as required.

• Works collaboratively with the Development Services team, Engineering, Community Planning, and

other City departments, local governments, agencies, consultants, developers, and the general
community to achieve development planning objectives.

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES PLANNING TECHNICIAN | Updated November 2022

• Participates in a cross-departmental Development Review Committee team and liaises with other

internal and external departments and agencies.

• Provides technical support to planning committees and represents the department by attending

meetings as a staff liaison representative of groups such as the Board of Variance and other
Committees, if required.

• Conduct field visits, as required.

a. Performs other related duties, as required. Other duties and responsibilities may
include, but are not limited to:Coordinating updates to and maintenance of the
department’s website content and the City’s Tempest database, including
interdepartmental updates with Finance and Engineering; ensures that the integrity and
accuracy of the database is maintained.

b. Coordinating with the finance department the refund of tree management permits,
environmental restoration, and other landscape security deposits as well as application
fee refunds for the Development Services department.

c. Assisting senior planning staff in the preparation and mail-out of a variety of public notices
in coordination with Corporate Services (e.g. Public Hearings, Committee meetings,
Development Variance Permit and Board of Variance applications).

d. Assisting senior planning staff in the investigation and background preparation for
development-related reports of high complexity and other planning projects.

e. Assisting senior planning staff with review of development application for compliance
with regulatory requirements and policies of the City.

f. Assisting with maintenance and preparation of various Development Services bylaws,
policies and application information and other template documents.

g. Tracking applications for annual statistics and departmental reporting.

• In the event of a local emergency when the City of Colwood activates its Emergency Operation

Centre and after ensuring the safety of family and property, reports to the Emergency Operation
Centre if/as required and assists with the implementation of the Emergency Plan.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• University degree or technical diploma from a recognized institution in a related field (urban planning,

geography, environmental science).

• One (1) year of experience in land use planning work preferably within local government, or an

equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Eligibility for Membership with the Canadian Institute of Planners / Planning Institute of British

Columbia.

• Training and/or experience in the use of recognized office computer software, and land development

software (Tempest and Bluebeam);

o Super-user capabilities in the following Tempest modules will be considered an asset: Land;
Prospero; Business Licences; and Calls For Service.

o GIS training is an asset.

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES PLANNING TECHNICIAN | Updated November 2022

• A valid Class 5 BC Drivers License is an asset.
  

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of planning practices and municipal bylaws applicable to the work performed.
• Demonstrated effective oral and written skills and ability to understand and carry out oral and

Local Government Act and other Acts and Legislation as they apply to land use planning and
development.

• Strong understanding of computer software programs to carry out duties effectively, including

Microsoft office and land development software (Tempest).

• Ability to work with GIS software and prepare maps for planning purposes is an asset to this

position.

• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with staff and external contacts.
• Ability to communicate effectively with the public and outside agencies.
• Demonstrated sound administrative judgement and work with deadlines.
• Able to perform well under pressure while dealing with contentious matters and demanding

a. Adaptability: Willingness to be flexible in a changing environment.

b. Relationship Building: Establishes and maintains respectful and cooperative working relationships
(internal and external).

c. Effective Communication: Communicates effectively with others.

d. Problem Solving: Recognizes and acts to resolve problems.

e. Organization: Organizes the work so that others will understand it and will be able to achieve the
City’s goals.

f. Collaboration: Uses a consultative approach to initiate and foster a spirit of cooperation to achieve
corporate goals.

g. Customer Focus: Provides excellent service to both internal and external customers.

h. Personal insight and rapport: demonstrate Colwood’s values, awareness of strengths and
weaknesses, seeks feedback, fulfills commitments, and demonstrates courage to do what is right.

Working Conditions / Job Environment

Work is primarily conducted in an office environment, although on-site visits in the field are common. The
City is undergoing a high volume of applications and this position is subject to pressure and challenge
caused by the high demand for planning services and programs in a highly collaborative atmosphere. The
position requires a basic understanding of planning and community development and the incumbent must
have the ability to work under the direction of senior planning staff and the Manager. The incumbent
must establish and maintain effective working relationships with municipal officials and City employees,
and to meet with and successfully serve the public on an ongoing basis.

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES PLANNING TECHNICIAN | Updated November 2022