Planning Analyst

Requisition ID: 43302 

Organization

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

Main Purpose & Function

The Planning Analyst coordinates inquiries from the Mayor and City Council members, City stakeholders including businesses, residents, and other levels of government and develops formal, detailed, and technical responses on behalf of the Traffic and Data Management Branch. Technical engineering responses may include topics such as pedestrian crossings, school safety, full signals, signal modifications, signage, construction closures, rail/truck safety, among others. 

In addition, the Planning Analyst tracks safety metrics and analyzes trends. Supports with identifying, prioritizing and recommending treatment options for safety hotspots and conducts research on new practices to improve safety. Develops and maintains website content and provides graphical support for the branch as needed. 

Reports to the Senior Traffic Safety Engineer; reviews issues with engineers; works with other Engineering Assistants. Works with staff in other Transportation branches. Key external contacts include residents, businesses, transportation companies, schools, partner agencies including ICBC, Translink, VPD.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Responsible for Mayor and Council correspondence, answering telephone calls, responding to in-person technical inquiries, replying in writing to citizen requests coming via the City’s 311 Call Centre, emails, among other sources.
• Reaches out to subject matter experts for technical recommendations in order to respond to citizen requests.
• Performs technical planning in the preparations of initiatives to support the City’s Moving Towards Zero Safety Action Plan.
• Reviews and analyzes data (ICBC, VPD, Hospital Emergency Department, field studies, reports, public requests/community input, etc.) to identify safety hotspots, examines contributing factors leading to collisions and recommends potential safety countermeasures.
• Provides recommendations to prioritize allocation of budget for safety improvements.
• Develops maps using ArcGIS to visualize, summarize, compare, and interpret data for inclusion in reports and presentations.
• Conducts research on expertise/knowledge of emerging policies and practices to improve urban planning issues related to road safety.
• Supports the development of pilot programs to improve road safety.
• Analyzes and prepares reports/presentations on key metrics related to citizen requests.
• Reviews current branch processes for responding to citizens requests and provides recommendations to improve response times and customer service satisfaction.
• Develops and maintains website content to educate residents on City’s traffic safety processes
• Translates technical information into material that can be easily understood by a broad audience through collaboration with content experts (e.g. Corporate Communications).
• Works in collaboration with the 311 team by providing comments to current scripting and logic for their system. This will allow 311 agents to more accurately categorize requests, assign them to the right branch, and reduce the number of cases needing to be re-allocated.
• Creates promotional materials, graphical support for the branch.
• Provides support for the branch on engagement needs as required. Examples include development of engagement plans, identifying relevant stakeholders to be included, finding multiple ways for stakeholders to provide input and implementation of engagement plan.
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• A post-graduate degree in urban planning, transportation planning, urban geography or equivalent and some professional experience in a field related to urban planning.

 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of the City’s transportation policies and related current literature, trends, and developments.
• Some knowledge of basic research techniques, statistics, and preferably electronic data processing.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills with a high attention to detail.
• Ability to research, write and produce a variety of departmental publications and internet content.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and exercise initiative.
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with the public, other employees, other agencies, and officials.
• Ability to work well under pressure and deal tactfully and effectively with the public.
• May answer technical, written or oral inquiries of other departments or the public.
• Ability to advice, direct or supervise staff
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated skill in using GIS applications (ArcGIS, QGIS) and Adobe Creative Suite.

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work remotely 1 – 4 days a week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite.  At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

Business Unit/Department: Engineering Services (1300) 

Affiliation: CUPE 15 Non Pks 

Employment Type: Temporary Full Time 

Position Start Date: April, 2025 

Position End Date: April, 2027 

Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-024: $42.04 to $49.65 per hour

Application Close: March 14, 2025

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion. 

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In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx. 5-10 minutes. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a summary of skills and experience related to the position.