A Career in Planning

This module introduces readers to opportunities for a career as a professional planner in local government.  We begin by describing the typical requirements for an entry-level position and how a person becomes a Registered Professional Planner (RPP), which is the official designation of a professional planner.  We also provide a list of colleges and universities that offer planning diplomas and degrees in British Columbia (BC).

Having addressed the requirements for becoming a professional planner, we describe employment opportunities in three different contexts:  the City of Nelson as an example of a small city; the City of Prince George as an example of a medium-sized city; and the City of Vancouver as an example of a large city.  Our aim is to describe a wide range of opportunities for a career as a professional planner in local government.

Most professional planners work for local governments (municipalities and regional districts). Common titles of planning positions include the following, listed from junior to senior positions:

• Planning Technician
• Planning Assistant I, II, III
• Planning Analyst
• Planner I, II, III
• Co-ordinator
• Supervisor
• Manager
• Director

Professional planners also work in the provincial government, usually in ministries that have some jurisdiction over the use of land.  These job positions can be with ministries responsible for municipal affairs, housing, transportation, Crown lands, environment, parks, and forestry, among others.  Planners also work for consulting firms that specialise in community planning, land use planning, property development, and for other private, non-profit, and public enterprises.  Collectively, the work of planners covers different areas of expertise, such as community planning, re-zoning, economic development, climate change and adaptation, public spaces, housing, affordable housing, and transportation, among others.

CivicInfo BC is an excellent source for current planning-related job positing in local governments.

A typical entry-level planner position and requirements

Although the formal titles of planner positions vary, Planner I is a common entry position in smaller and medium-sized municipalities.  From this position, a person can be promoted to Planner II and then Planner III.  In a large city with a large planning department, entry-level positions also include Planning Assistant and Planning Analyst.

The responsibilities of a Planner I cover the essential, day-to-day aspects of land use planning within a local government.  The duties are often described as “front counter” services because a Planner I is often the first point of contact with members of the public, including residents and businesses.  This planning work includes the following:

• Processing a full range of land use applications;
• Preparing of plans and reports;
• Collecting and analysing data; research; report writing;
• Consulting with design professionals, developers and the general public; and,
• Representing the planning department on technical staff committees.

Typically, to qualify for a Planner 1 position, an applicant has a degree in land use, environmental, or regional planning recognised by the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP). T his educational requirement should be complemented with some related experience.  Almost all positions require the candidate to have or be eligible for membership with CIP. Membership is explained next.

Who is a Registered Professional Planner (RPP)?

To be a professional planner, a person must successfully complete the formal process to become certified.  When certified, a professional planner has the exclusive right and privilege to use the “Registered Professional Planner” (RPP) designation.

The association for professional planners in BC is the Planning Institute of British Columbia (PIBC). There is also a national association, the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP).  A certified planner and member in good standing may also use the designation “MCIP” to indicate their membership in CIP.   The certification process is administered by the Professional Standards Board on behalf of PIBC.

For information about becoming a certified professional planner, visit the following websites:

Planning Institute of BC – Membership

Canadian Institute of Planners – Membership

Professional Standards Board

Post-secondary education in planning

There are different paths to become a certified professional planner and member of CIP based on different combinations of work experience and education.  The most effective path is to complete a university degree through an accredited program, as this degree is the most common qualification for planning positions.

Just as people are certified as professional planners, planning degrees offered by universities are also certified (accredited), which means that the degree meets the curriculum requirements established by the Professional Standards Board.  The following universities and colleges in BC offer accredited planning programs (Table 1).

Table 1. Universities and colleges in BC offering an accredited planning program

In addition to the above, there are other, non-accredited avenues to pursue planning-related education, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Selkirk College Applied Environmental Science and Planning Technology
• Simon Fraser University City Program
• University of British Columbia Bachelor of Urban Studies
• University of the Fraser Valley Bachelor of Regional and Community Planning

Municipal planning departments: examples

The following examples of three municipal planning departments illustrate the breadth of career options as a professional planner.  As the examples show, in a small city, a professional planner can be responsible for the full range of planning duties.  As municipalities get bigger, so does their planning department.  Correspondingly, each planning position also becomes more specialised.  In smaller municipalities (villages and towns), land use planning is often only a part of one person’s job and a planning-related degree may not be required.

City of Nelson: Department of Development Services

The City of Nelson, located in the Selkirk Mountains in Southern Interior BC, has a population of 11,106 (2021 Census).  As shown in the city’s organisational chart (Figure 1), planning services are part of the Development Services department.

Figure 1. Organisational chart, City of Nelson

A detailed job posting for a Planner I with the City of Nelson demonstrates the breadth of responsibilities of a planner in a small city (see Box 1).  This planner is responsible for most aspects of planning for the City. Qualified applicants required a university degree in Planning; a Master’s degree in Planning is desirable.

City of Prince George: Department of Planning & Development Services

The City of Prince George, located in Central Interior BC, has a population of 76.708 (2021 Census).  As shown in the city’s organisational chart (Figure 2), planning services, named Development Services, are part of the Planning and Development department.

Figure 2. Organisational chart, City of Prince George

In this medium-sized city, there are at least five levels of planning positions within the department. T hese positions include Planning Technician, Planner I, Supervisor of Land Use Planning, Manager of Planning Services, and Director of Planning and Development Services.  The responsibilities and qualifications for each of these positions are summarised, as follows.  Most likely, there are also Planner II and Planner III positions based on promotions.

Planning Technician

Responsibilities

• • Process a variety of applications;
  • Assist with carrying out field inspections and collecting data; and,
  • Prepare technical reports and planning studies.

Qualifications

• • Bachelor’s Degree in Land Use, Environmental of Regional Planning;
  • At least one year of relevant experience.

Planner 1

Responsibilities

• • Processing of a full range of land use applications;
  • Preparation of plans and reports;
  • Field work, data collection and analysis;
  • Research, report writing, consultation with design professionals, developers and the public; and,
  • Representing the department on various technical staff committees.

Qualifications

• • A degree in land use, environmental or regional planning recognized by the Canadian Institute of Planners;
  • Professional experience includes one year of related experience; and,
  • Membership or eligibility for membership with the Canadian Institute of Planners.

Supervisor, Land Use Planning

Responsibilities

• • Reports to the Manager, Development Services;
  • Supervising the planning function and developing and implementing policies and bylaws related to current planning and land use management;
  • Areas of responsibility include the Official Community Plan, Neighborhood Plans, zoning Bylaw, development permits, development variance permits, liquor licensing, agricultural land reserve, and other land use related applications;
  • Responsibility for long range plans and studies, long range planning contract administration, data collection and analysis, policy research, community consultation, and report preparation.
  • Overseeing the efficient and professional operation of the front counter, permit and business licensing functions; and,
  • Supervisory responsibility for unionized administrative staff.

Qualifications

• • Postgraduate University Degree in Land use, Environmental or Regional Planning, geography, or related discipline;
  • Five (5) years of related planning experience is required, three (3) years of which must have been in a supervisory capacity within a unionized environment;
  • Previous experience with Land Use Planning and land use issues is required; and,
  • Membership or eligibility for membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners is desirable.

Manager, Development Services

Responsibilities

• • Reports to the Director, Planning & Development;
  • Responsible for ensuring that the City is developed in accordance with City bylaws and meets the appropriate aesthetic, functional, safety and quality of life standards;
  • Oversees a team involved in land use planning and development approvals, building inspection, subdivision, building permits, and business licenses;
  • Co-ordinating the public input process on development projects and land use issues;
  • Overseeing the development and administration of the Zoning Bylaw; and,
  • Liaising with the business community, developers, the general public, senior administration and City Council.

Qualifications

• • Graduate degree/diploma in Community and Regional Planning or a related discipline;
  • Undergraduate degree/diploma combined with suitable experience will be considered;
  • At least 5 years of related experience including supervisory experience in a municipal setting; and,
  • Eligible for membership with the Planning Institute of BC and the Canadian Institute of Planners.

Director, Planning & Development Services

Responsibilities

• • Responsible for all land use planning and land development approval activities;
  • Oversee the preparation and administration of the City’s Official Community Plan, Zoning Bylaw, Subdivision & Development Servicing Bylaw and all related bylaws that govern development in a manner that is consistent with City Council’s strategic plan and priorities;
  • Oversee professional and technical support services related to the delivery of capital projects and municipal infrastructure; and,
  • Other key responsibilities include building inspection services, economic development, asset management, real estate services and business licensing.

Qualifications

• • A university degree in urban or regional planning, geography, architecture or in a related social science discipline and have completed supplemental planning or administration courses equal to one to two years of study; a Master’s degree in Planning is preferred;
  • Ten years of experience in local government planning, six years of which are at a managerial level; and,
  • Membership or eligibility for membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners and the Planning Institute of BC are essential.

City of Vancouver: Department of Planning, Urban Design, and Sustainability

The population of the City of Vancouver is 662,248.  As a metropolitan centre, the City has tremendous demands on land use planning for all uses: residential, industrial, commercial, retail, hospitality, institutional, transportation.  These demands are reflected in the specialised planning positions within the Department of Planning, Urban Design, and Sustainability.  The organisation chart for the City (Figure 3) shows only the department-level structure.

Within the Department, many professional planners are required to cover all areas of responsibilities. In a large local government like the City of Vancouver, planning positions at all levels of the organisation can be specialised.  The following table (Table 2) lists some of the junior planning positions within the City, including Planning Assistant, Planning Analyst, and Planner I.  For many of these positions, Membership or eligibility for membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners is desirable.

Figure 3. Organisational Chart, City of Vancouver

Table 2. Partial list of professional planning positions, City of Vancouver