Halifax Regional Municipality is seeking a permanent Planning Technician for the Policy and Planning team in Strategic Planning & Design, Parks & Recreation.

Halifax Regional Municipality is committed to Diversity and Inclusion and welcomes applications from African Nova Scotians, Racially Visible Persons, Women in underrepresented roles, Indigenous People, Persons with Disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ+ Persons. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify.

The Policy and Planning section develops policies and plans for parks, open spaces, recreation facilities, and programs. The Planning Technician supports the team through expertise in geography, GIS, quantitative methods, and data management. This role involves data collection, maintenance, and analysis, presenting information through maps, tables, and graphs, mainly using GIS tools for clear outputs.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design, Development and Data Management
• Ensures maps and statistical tables meet corporate standards.
• Supports Corporate Mapping Services, including GIS web applications for parks and recreation.
• Develops procedures and standards for data collection, integration and presentation related to parks and open space and recreation facilities while reducing errors.
• Develops and executes quality assurance checks and quality control procedures.
• Implements, modifies, and executes procedures for data integrity and security.
• Assists in the design, development, and creation of databases.
• Manages operation of GIS equipment and software.
• Assists in preparing Data Licensing Agreements with third parties and customize associated agreement schedules as required (to ensure proper understanding as to any costs or restrictions on data use).
• Assists in performing, processing, and integrating acquired parks and open space and recreation facilities field data into GIS.
• Processes and integrates field data into GIS, ensuring compliance with standards and metadata requirements.
• Creates 3D models of parks and open spaces for policy studies.
• Provides general technical support to staff and clients.

Research and Information Delivery

• Conducts field work and related site assessments to collect data for park design plans and documents.
• Researches and tests new GIS applications, software and procedures to improve efficiency.
• Develops database queries, application scripts, and customized routines.
• Manages the parks database, including park types and features.
• Exports GIS data for use in other systems or distribution.
• Performs spatial queries and analysis using a variety of GIS tools and databases.
• Collects and prepares statistics and research for parks and open space and recreation facilities using quantitative methods for Council, staff, management, and the public as needed.
• Updates procedures and data for annual reports and regional studies, customizing statistics as needed.
• Creates graphic materials, including park plans and presentation visuals.
• Addresses and follows up on public and internal inquiries.

Project Coordination and Cooperation

• Represents Parks and Recreation as a technical resource on interdepartmental committees.
• Generates reports and products from geographic databases and related systems, to meet organizational needs.
• Perform other duties as required, including working outside normal working hours.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience:

• 2-year diploma in Geomatics from a recognized institution.
• Minimum two years' work experience in a technical position in a geomatics environment, preferably in a municipal government setting.
• Minimum one year work experience with quantitative methods, ESRI, ArcInfo, ArcView and/or ArcGIS suite of products.
• Must have general knowledge of parks, open space, and recreation planning and quantitative methods.
• A valid driver's License is required.

Technical Requirements

• Comprehensive working knowledge of ESRI products such as ArcInfo, ArcView and ArcGIS (Desktop and/or Online).
• Proficient in accessing and querying data using spreadsheets (MS Excel), and databases (Oracle, SQL Server, MS Access).
• Extensive interpretation skills with respect to municipal information, with specific regard to parks and open spaces and recreation facilities).
• Strong data maintenance and quantitative methods skills.
• Thorough knowledge of cartographic concepts, design and layout.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Experience in computer 3D modelling, photo visualization, GIS land suitability analysis, LiDAR processing and development or urban design concepts are considered assets.
• Ability to interpret aerial photography and integrate scanned images into GIS.
• Ability to interpret maps and work with scales.
• Familiar with other GIS, Computer Aided Design (CAD) and database software.
• Good knowledge of other geomatics technologies and related software, e.g. Global Positioning System (GPS).
• General knowledge of web site design and content management considered an asset.
• Good understanding of file management, records management and privacy regulations
• Demonstrated project planning and management skills.

Security Clearance Requirements:

Applicants may be required to complete an employment security screening check.

Please Note: Testing may be conducted as a component of the selection process to assess technical and job specific knowledge. Candidates who are selected for testing may be tested in a group setting, scheduled at the employer's discretion.

COMPETENCIES:

Analytical Thinking, Communication, Customer Service, Decision Making, Initiative, Network/Relationship Building, Organizational Awareness, Teamwork and Cooperation, Valuing Diversity

WORK STATUS: Full time, permanent
HOURS OF WORK: 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday through Friday, for 35 hours per week
SALARY: Level 7 NSGEU 222, $37.22 per hour
WORK LOCATION: 40 Alderney Drive, 3rd floor

CLOSING DATE:

Applications will be accepted until 11:59 pm on Sunday, February 23, 2025

Please note: We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for an interview / testing will be contacted.

During the recruitment process, applicants have the right to request an accommodation. Applicants invited to participate in an assessment process (such as interview or testing) and who require an accommodation, should discuss their needs with the recruiter when invited to the assessment process. For more information on our accommodation process please clink on the link Accommodations | Hiring | Employment | Halifax