Planner

Company Description

Merritt is surrounded by a spectacular sprawling rugged landscape, nestled in the stunning Nicola Valley at the hub of the Coquihalla highway mountain pass. We are a small, caring, and resilient city featuring short commutes, big-city amenities and an abundance of outdoor recreation and leisure amenities to keep the whole family entertained.

The City of Merritt's strategic orientation is to grow as a progressive, attractive, economically viable, socially responsible and environmentally sustainable city. Our strength comes from our skilled and dedicated employees. Together, we continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of our employees. It fuels our innovation and connects us closer to the community we serve.

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Planner to join our Planning and Development Services Team. Reporting to the Director of Planning and Development Services, this position will review and evaluate development applications, meet with development applicants, and conduct research to support project proposals and policy recommendations.

As the Planner, you will exercise initiative and professional judgement as you consult with internal and external stakeholders on complex issues and participate on committees involving diverse interests. You will have the opportunity to apply your knowledge to interpret and explain relevant Acts and Regulations, respond to project inquiries, and work with the City’s GIS service provider to maintain mapping systems.

This role is ideal for someone who is keen to make a difference and positively impact Merritt’s social, environmental, and economic health.

This position requires a 37.5-hour work week.

Qualifications

• A university degree in planning supplemented by municipal or urban experience at a professional level.
• 3 Years working experience in a municipal environment is preferred
• Combination of education and experience will be considered 
• Registered Professional Planner (RPP) designation would be an asset.
• Membership in the Planning Institute of BC (PIBC) or ability to obtain membership. 
• Demonstrated experience processing development applications.
• Communication, problem solving, negotiation, and facilitation skills are essential.
• Knowledge of Acts and Regulations and other planning instruments.
• Experience working on complex projects.
• Ability to prepare and present reports which clearly communicate complex ideas, conduct research to support policy development, and manage workload in a fast-paced environment.

Applicants must clearly demonstrate in their application how they meet the experience requirement for processing development applications and creating/ preparing and submitting land title forms. 

The successful candidate must have a valid BC Drivers’ License and satisfactory driving record along with a satisfactory police information check as a condition of employment. 

Additional Information

This is an exempt position with a wage of $80,000 to $90,000 per year. In addition to competitive salaries, the City of Merritt offers a comprehensive well-being benefits, an employee and family assistance plan (EAP) and exclusive perks.  This position will be open until Friday, August  14, 2026 at 1:00 pm.

The City of Merritt is an equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting an inclusive workforce that reflects the community we serve; we encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

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