Planning Assistant III - School Program Coordinator

Requisition ID: 43737 

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 engaging workplace.  Working at the City of Vancouver and within the public service can be a rewarding career where you play a key role in ensuring impartial and equitable access to services, upholding ethical governance, and addressing the needs of citizens with integrity and dedication.

Main Purpose and Function
The main responsibility of this position is to coordinate the active travel school program. The program consists of an annual review of 4-6 schools to identify and implement promotion and engagement on school safety and infrastructure needs that can facilitate active travel to school and improve safety for all road users. The program includes a follow up of schools 2 years after the program was completed to assess impacts on active travel modes and safety. In addition, the position communicates with schools stakeholders on matters related to the program and civic capital projects that may affect the school community.

The position assists identifying, prioritizing and recommending treatment options, conducts research on new practices to school travel, organize school walkabouts, conduct travel surveys at schools and communicate with school related stakeholders.

This includes researching, implementing and evaluating various project such as CHILL - Skateboarding program and School Active Travel infrastructure projects.

Key Contacts and Reporting Relationships
The position reports to Transportation Engineer (CEII) in the Traffic and Data Management Branch, and oversees technical, written, and oral planning duties related to the school program. The position acts as a liaison between all key stakeholders (e.g. TransLink, VPD, VSB, VCH, etc.) to meet common safety and active travel goals. The position attends monthly school safety committee meetings with the VPD, VSB, and other civic departments.  The position will supervise, assign, review, and train the Engineering Assistant.  
 

Specific Duties/Responsibilities

• Collects, reviews, analyzes data, interprets data trends and provides recommendations for civic projects affecting the school community both inside and outside of the school active travel planning program.
• Collects and conducts statistical analysis of school travel data. This includes student and parent surveys before and after school program implementation.  
• Collects, reviews and analyzes traffic volume, speed, collision data and community input to identify challenges to active travel and safety hotspots around schools. 
• Assists with reviewing school assessments to identify potential infrastructure upgrades to encourage active travel and improve safety. 
• Undertakes mapping work, including development of the best walking and cycling routes to schools.
• Interprets data from GIS, surveys, and civic databases.  
• Creates and maintains databases.
• Prepares presentations, videos, and other visual materials to illustrate school travel data collected and data collected for assigned projects Conducts research on expertise/knowledge of emerging policies and practices to improve school travel
• Prepares Form 1’s for infrastructure upgrades; submits for approval; and sends approved Form 1 to Transportation Operations for implementation.
• Collects, reviews and analyzes traffic volume, speed, collision data and community input to identify challenges to active travel and safety hotspots around schools. 
• Collects, reviews, analyzes data, interpret data trends and provide recommendations for civic projects affecting the school community both inside and outside of the school active travel planning program
• Provides recommendations for school seismic upgrades requirements and development permits affecting the school community
• Communicates with schools stakeholders on matters related to the program and civic capital projects that may affect the school community and conducts research and analysis to identify possible impacts on active travel and safety for road users.
• Coordinates and participates in school walkabouts and PAC meetings
• Assist with long-term school active travel planning including the development of a walking school bus program, active travel curriculum, school streets, and other assigned projects.
• Prepares reports and presentation materials for senior staff, school stakeholders and the public, including assisting with council memos and reports.
• Prepares responses to technical written or oral public inquiries related to school safety for all private and publics schools within the City of Vancouver
• Researches, implements, and evaluates programs as assigned to encourage and support active travel in addition to the School Active Travel Planning Program 
• Runs and administers mini grant program
• Attends and assists with public open houses and engagement events
• Acts as an liaison between all key stakeholders (e.g. TransLink, VPD, VSB, VCH, etc) to meet common safety and active travel goals
•  Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.
   

Qualification Requirements
Education and Experience:

• Completion of Grade 12 
• University graduation and some professional experience in a field related to urban planning; or university graduation, a post-graduate degree or other recognized diploma in urban planning and no experience.
• A post-secondary diploma in Planning, Geography or other relevant area of study is preferred, supplemented with some related courses and experience in planning or an equivalent combination of training or experience.  
   

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Sound knowledge of guidelines and regulations applicable to planning work
• Sound knowledge of research techniques, statistics and preferably, electronic data processing  
• Working knowledge of the City’s street system, transportation policies and regulations, the Street and Traffic Bylaw. 
• Considerable skills for developing visual and graphical presentation materials of data for the public using InDesign, Illustrator, or Photoshop.
• Ability to perform statistical surveys and analysis work and maintain, manipulate and/or develop corresponding databases.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills are required, as this position will write reports and interact with staff, school stakeholders and the public.
• Ability to work well in a team and business environment with little or no supervision under tight timelines and in a multi-task environment.
• Ability to direct and supervise the work of subordinates.
• Ability to be creative and use sound judgement
• Ability to coordinate effectively with other sections in the department and with City officials and other interested groups, including citizens’ groups
• Ability to present work results, conclusions, and recommendations in graphics and written form

Drivers License and Record Checks

Candidates must attach the following records and satisfy the City’s driving requirements to be considered for this role:

• Copy of your five-year ICBC Commercial Driver’s Abstract (N Print) directly from ICBC dated within 14 days of this posting
• Copy of your five-year ICBC Driver’s Claims History directly from ICBC within 14 days of this posting
• If you have less than five years driving experience in BC, a request must be made for out of province/country abstract and claims history

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work a hybrid work 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: May 2025 

Position End Date: Apri 2027 

Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-021: $37.2 to $43.78 per hour

Application Close: May 18, 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. 

Before you click Apply now

Once you start your application you can save your work and leave the applications page, however please remember to submit your profile to the specific job requisition before the posting closing date.

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.