Junior Planner / Planner / Senior Planner

Position Details

• Location: Norfolk
• Department: Planning and Realty Services
• Work Location Type: On-Site

Located in the heart of Southwestern Ontario, Norfolk County is where big vision meets unlimited potential.

As one of Ontario’s largest single-tier municipalities and home to over 70,000 people, Norfolk is bold, diverse, and proudly local - a municipality that thrives on innovation, collaboration, and connection. Here, you’ll find endless opportunities to grow your skills, expand your ideas, and shape your career.

As a Planner with Norfolk County, you’ll review and evaluate development applications, provide professional planning advice, and help shape land use decisions that align with municipal and provincial policies. Your work will support responsible growth, informed decision-making, and meaningful public participation in building strong, sustainable communities.

Big vision. Real opportunities. Unlimited potential. That’s Norfolk.

The Planning and Realty Services Department is looking to fill one (1) vacancy into the positions outlined below depending on candidate qualifications:

Junior Planner

• Provide planning services, primarily related to the processing of development applications including helping to deliver on all facets of a variety of planning applications from land use amendments, site plans and draft plans of subdivision.
• Assist in implementing reviews of key development application processes and planning services to ensure Norfolk is at the forefront of new techniques to engage the community and deliver results for stakeholders.
• Review new applications to deem complete and commence review process including the evaluation of development proposals through the use of professional judgment ensuring compliance with the requirements of affected agencies, planning principles and the interpretation of Provincial, County and other relevant land use policy and regulations.
• Responsible for responding to general inquiries related to land use planning matters. Working with Service Norfolk to find process efficiencies.
• Maintain and foster corporate goals by ensuring public access to and participation in the planning process.
• Provide analysis and recommendations on planning applications including committee of adjustment related applications (consents and minor variances).
• Prepare recommendation reports and related documents such as by-laws or conditions related to report recommendations.
• Site inspections in relation to planning applications.
• Undertake special projects and other duties as assigned.

Planner

• Provide planning services, primarily related to the processing of development applications under Planning Act.
• Evaluate development proposals through the use of professional judgment ensuring compliance with the requirements of affected agencies, planning principles and the interpretation of Provincial, County and other relevant land use policy and regulations.
• Maintain and foster corporate goals by ensuring public access to and participation in the planning process.
• Prepare and administer development related agreements.
• Provide analysis and recommendations on planning applications including, official plan amendments, zoning by-law amendments, site plans, severances and minor variances.
• Prepare documents including official plan amendments and various by-laws.
• Check land ownership using assessment roll numbers including the production of labels for circulation purposes.
• Site inspections.
• Undertake special projects and other duties as assigned.

Senior Planner

• Facilitate and complete development planning applications including assistance and support for Committee of Adjustment, and all other types of applications including a focus on draft plan of subdivision, condominium, official plan and zoning bylaw amendments.
• Evaluate development proposals through the use of professional judgement ensuring compliance with the requirements of affected agencies, planning principles, and the interpretation of Provincial and County land use policies and regulations and to prepare planning reports and appropriate recommendations.
• Assist in key long–range policy planning projects including, but not limited to Official Plan Updates, provincial policy conformity projects, land use and design plans, growth management studies.
• Provide guidance and information to County staff, Council, developers and citizens regarding Norfolk County’s planning process, Official Plan policies, Zoning By-law and relevant provincial policy and regulations.
• Oversee the day to day management/supervision of major planning development projects, reports and studies as assigned by the General Manager, Community and Development Services or the Director, Planning and Realty Services.
• Responsible for the processing and consolidation of recommendations related to planning applications including official plan amendments, rezoning applications, site plans, committee of adjustment, subdivisions/condominium and land division.
• Provide analysis and recommendations on planning applications including official plan and zoning by-law amendments, subdivision, condominium, site plan and Committee of Adjustment applications.
• Attend Council and other meetings, as required, to represent the Planning and Realty Services Department on planning interests of Norfolk County.
• Coordinate and/or participate in County/Divisional initiatives including the periodic review and update of the County’s Official Plan and Zoning By-law(s).
• Attend Committee of Adjustment meetings in rotation with other Senior Planners.
• Review site plans under Section 41 of the Planning Act.
• Maintain and foster corporate goals by ensuring public access to and participation in the planning process.
• Prepare Official Plan Amendments and land use by-laws such as zoning, holding, interim control, part lot control, temporary use and site plan for consideration and approval by the County and subsequent approval by the Ministry of Affairs, if required.
• Prepare and administer site plan agreements and other such agreements.