Land Use Planner

Miller Thomson LLP is one of Canada’s fastest growing national business law firms, with offices located in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon, London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, Toronto, Markham, Vaughan and Montréal. Our consistent ability to provide practical, creative and cost-effective advice, combined with an unyielding service commitment to our clients and a strong dedication to our lawyers, staff and the communities in which we practice, gives us a unique position in the Canadian legal industry.

Our Real Estate team is looking for a Land Use Planner to join our Toronto or Vaughan office. The person in this role would be responsible for: (i) municipal applications and agreements, subdivision formations, land severances and variances, financing, and due diligence; (ii) review and evaluation of proposals for land use and development plans; (iii) processing of applications for
land development permits; (iv) Compilation and analysis of data on demographic, economic, legal, physical and other factors affecting land use.

Major Roles and Responsibilities:

• Review of the applicable planning policies and regulations in connection with due diligence for real estate transactions;
• Consults and collaborates with solicitors and clients to receive and implement instructions at onset and during the course of the transaction;
• Prioritize and monitor the various components of the transaction;
• Research and interpret legal and technical procedures, statutes, and regulations applicable to area of practice;
• Conduct, document, review, analyze, verify, monitor, summarize and report on due planning-associated diligence for transactions;
• Draft documentation and correspondence;
• Negotiate, communicate and consult with solicitors for the other sides of transactions as well as governmental professionals, in accordance with delegated responsibility provided by the solicitor in charge;
• Flagging and anticipating potential issues and communicating these issues to the attention of the solicitor in charge. Problem solving with respect to transactional matters;
• Assist with application process of obtaining the various types of planning approvals, including applications for official plan amendments, zoning by-law amendments, minor variances and consents;
• Provide support to the Committee of Adjustment, Ontario Municipal Board, and Toronto Local Appeal Body hearings, as well as stakeholder and public consultation meetings, open houses and workshops;
• Undertake research and policy reviews;
• Assist with the preparation of site plans, master plans and municipal and regional planning strategies;
• Collaborate with support staff and supervise assistant(s);
• Compiling information and drafting written report(s) and opinions

Qualifications

• Degree in Urban and Regional Planning or a related discipline;
• Eligibility for membership with the Ontario Provincial Planners Institute (OPPI) and the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) is required;
• 6-9 years’ experience or higher;
• Varied experience in land use planning, with particular experience in municipal land planning (either public or private) with a minimum of supervision in a fast paced, high volume environment which requires excellent written and verbal communication as well as excellent organizational and analytical skills. Good drafting and mathematical skills are also required;
• Continuing education to keep abreast of changes;
• Proficient in word processing using Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook;
• Demonstrated functionality in MS Office products, Knowledge of GIS, CAD, Illustrator, SketchUp, or similar programs required;
• Ability to compile planning reports and analyses;
• Limited, seeking direction, as necessary, from supervising solicitor or senior planner;
• Moderate, assuming careful consultation with supervising solicitor(s), as necessary, or with more senior planner, as
  necessary;
• Moderate, including any assistant supporting the planner and any other planner to whom instructions may be given (I.e. a junior planner or other planning professional in other practice area or jurisdiction), which might include quarterbacking other planners or professionals forming part of the transaction team;
• Developing skills in obtaining clear and concise instructions from lawyers or others who have varied styles, mastering clear
  articulation of questions to supervising solicitors and others, and unabashed at seeking clarification or additional instructions from lawyers and others as may be required to complete any task. Mastering the communication of instructions and direction to assistants, students, young lawyers and other planners as required.
• Mastering being thoughtful, thorough and innovative in approach to problem solving. Mastering the technique of formulating several recommendations for solutions to consider several different perspectives.
• Attention to detail and concentration is significant at all times. Attention to detail in multiple areas is heightened when balancing multiple and competing demands, dealing with shifting priorities and the management or coordination of others.

Miller Thomson LLP is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.

While we thank all applicants for their interest, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to respond to queries individually and only those selected for an interview will be contacted.No phone calls or agencies please.

Miller Thomson will provide accommodation on request throughout the recruitment, selection and assessment process for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation, please inform our Talent department of the nature of accommodation that you may require, to ensure your equal participation.