The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) is a community-based natural resource management agency that works to protect, enhance, and sustain healthy watersheds. With 60 years of experience, the NPCA offers watershed programs and services that focus on flood and hazard management, source water protection, species protection, ecosystem restoration, community stewardship, and land management.
The NPCA is one of 36 Conservation Authorities in the Province of Ontario. With 41 Conservation Areas within the Niagara Peninsula watershed, the NPCA manages lands that are held in public trust for recreation, heritage preservation, conservation, and education. These natural and shared greenspaces marry nature, culture and adventure to create limitless opportunities for discovery.
The Opportunity
As a member of the Environmental Planning and Policy team, the Senior Watershed Planner will coordinate and processes applications under the Conservation Authorities Act and Planning Act along with projects under the Environmental Assessment Act as they relate to infrastructure projects. This role will also coordinate technical feedback and resources, review planning applications, and interpret and implement Provincial and Conservation Authority policies in relation to resource planning and regulatory policies
Key Responsibilities Include:
Manage the review of environmental assessment and master plan infrastructure projects, ensuring corporate interests are addressed based on professional judgement and technical advice, as well as recognizing and addressing politically sensitive and difficult issues
Evaluate municipal, provincial, and federal environmental assessment projects, including a variety of technical documents and studies to identify how they are affected by NPCA regulatory, policy and program interests; ensure review is coordinated with corporate projects, as well as related environmental assessments and development review applications
Process NPCA Permit applications related to environmental assessments, and infrastructure projects
Evaluate and analyze planning and development applications relating to infrastructure projects to identify how they are affected by NPCA Regulations and policy.
Support the Senior Manager with the review of Secondary Plans, and Official Plan Reviews.
Provide an advanced level of planning knowledge and policy interpretation in response to municipal circulations and internal processes.
Attend as the representative of the NPCA various meeting types including steering committees, council meetings, multi-agency review teams and NPCA Board Meetings
Provide expert evidence and technical advice relating to OLT hearings, and other tribunals as required
What you Bring
Degree from a recognized University in Environmental Sciences, Planning, Geography or a related field
Minimum five (5) years’ experience with planning approvals in a Conservation Authority or Municipal environment with a focus on infrastructure planning and Environmental Assessments
Knowledge and application of the Conservation Authorities Act, Environmental Assessment Act, Planning Act, Drainage Act, Niagara Escarpment Plan, Greenbelt Plan, Place to Grow Provincial Growth Plan, Provincial Policy Statement and Aggregate Resources Act as they relate to development review.
Proficient with GIS software (preferably ArcGis)
Registered Professional Planner (RPP) designation preferred
Full membership in the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) and/or Canadian Institute for Planners (CIP) an asset
The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) is a community-based natural resource management agency that works to protect, enhance, and sustain healthy watersheds. With 60 years of experience, the NPCA offers watershed programs and services that focus on flood and hazard management, source water protection, species protection, ecosystem restoration, community stewardship, and land management.
The NPCA is one of 36 Conservation Authorities in the Province of Ontario. With 41 Conservation Areas within the Niagara Peninsula watershed, the NPCA manages lands that are held in public trust for recreation, heritage preservation, conservation, and education. These natural and shared greenspaces marry nature, culture and adventure to create limitless opportunities for discovery.
