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Surrey, BC, Canada ● Vancouver, BC, Canada Req #787
Monday, March 3, 2025

About McElhanney 

Based in Western Canada for over 110 years, McElhanney offers innovative and practical engineering, surveying, mapping, planning, landscape architecture, and environmental services. As a 100% employee-owned and operated firm, with over 1,400 staff members in 33 locations, we are proud to offer qualified staff with shareholding options in our company. At McElhanney, we work in teams to build strong connections with our staff, clients, and local communities. Our employees enjoy working here because of our varied projects, high levels of autonomy, opportunities for career development, excellent total compensation and benefits package, and collaborating with a team of great professionals. 

The Opportunity:

McElhanney has an exciting opportunity for a Planning Professional to join our dynamic Planning team in Surrey or Vancouver, BC. Supporting vibrant, livable communities is a key focus at McElhanney, and our Planning teams are at the forefront of shaping the future across Western Canada.

In this role, you will contribute to a diverse range of public sector policy initiatives and private sector development projects, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to deliver innovative, community-focused solutions.

While the position is based in our Vancouver or Surrey offices, we are open to candidates located elsewhere in British Columbia, provided they have the right experience and skills. The position is offered as either an in-office or a hybrid blend of in-person and remote work, but this is subject to meeting performance expectations and is subject to change.

 

Salary Range: $81,000-$123,000 per annum. McElhanney offers fair compensation that is commensurate with the individual’s education, experience, skills, and professional qualifications. The salary range being offered reflects McElhanney’s desire to consider planners with varying levels of experience and the salary offered will be based on the experience and qualifications of the successful candidate.

 

What You’ll Be Doing:

  • Supporting McElhanney’s planning practice in Surrey/Vancouver and coordinating with McElhanney planning teams in other branches to ensure great project delivery to amaze our clients.
  • Working with local governments on public sector projects that could include Official Community Plan and zoning bylaw updates or amendments, housing studies, land use studies, and parks and trails projects.
  • Designing and delivery of public engagement campaigns including directly interacting with members of the public and key interest holders
  • Working with First Nations on land use plans, housing projects, and policy updates
  • Working with developers and property owners to obtain approvals for development projects.
  • Business development with new, existing, and key clients.
  • Liaising and developing strategic partnerships with clients, project stakeholders, various levels of government and sub-consultants.
  • Professional project management and execution of planning projects.

 

What You’ll Bring:

  • 5+ years community planning experience, preferably with a background in consulting, report writing, and making Council presentations.
  • Master’s degree in urban planning, urban design, or related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Experience in land development approvals and municipal development processes. 
  • Experience with local government land use regulatory and procedural policy and bylaw development and drafting.
  • Proven excellence in creative problem solving and solution implementation.
  • An understanding of provincial planning legislation, and a willingness to learn surrounding local government policies and bylaw requirements.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Technical and policy writing expertise.
  • Ability to prepare information and host Public Engagement opportunities.
  • Effective time management skills with the ability to function in a high volume, challenging environment.
  • CAD and Adobe InDesign experience or ability to use other design software would be an asset.
  • Eligibility for membership with the Canadian Institute of Planners.
  • A valid driver’s license is required.

 

A Full Range of Benefits to Keep You Healthy & Happy

  • Flexible work hours to accommodate your busy lifestyle, in alignment with project commitments
  • Maternity leave and parental leave top-up
  • Extended health and dental coverage, healthcare spending account, and RRSP contribution matching
  • Employee & Family assistance program, which offers 24/7 support online or over the phone
  • A workplace culture that is characterized by respect and inclusion for all
  • Competitive salary, participation in our generous performance bonus plan, and opportunity to join an employee-owned firm with potential share ownership
  • Continuous support for your growth through professional development reimbursement, mentorship programs, and opportunity to join numerous internal committees
  • We are proud to be an employee-owned, multidisciplinary company of technical professionals managed by technical professionals
  • McElhanney prioritizes community care through its core values and purpose, exemplified by initiatives like the McElhanney Cares Charity Tournament, which supports meaningful causes while engaging staff skills. Join us in playing and contributing to charity!
  • An assortment of company-sponsored professional development activities

 

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

 
At McElhanney, our unwavering commitment lies in cultivating a culture that aligns with our core values and fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion. We celebrate the collective achievements of a team rich in expertise, experiences, and perspectives, and welcome applications from individuals of diverse ethnicities, religions, backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, gender identities, aboriginal statuses, various age groups, and those with disabilities. Requests for accommodations can be made at any stage of the selection process. If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all of the requirements outlined. We’re interested in getting to know you and explore the unique contributions you can bring to McElhanney!
 

If this is the opportunity for you, apply now or visit www.mcelhanney.com/careers to learn more. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

 

 

To learn more about our recognition as Canada's Top 100 Employers (2024), visit Top Employer: McElhanney Ltd. (canadastop100.com).

Visit us on Glassdoor to learn more about our employee experience.




Our Purpose: Amaze our clients. Care for our communities. Empower our people.
 
McElhanney is aware of activities where individuals have received fraudulent job offers. Please be advised that McElhanney will not ask applicants for any form of monetary exchange at any point in the recruitment process. To learn more visit: www.mcelhanney.com/careers/fraud-warning. The disclosure of your information in accordance with this Policy and applicable law, including to third party service providers may result in your personal information being transferred outside of Canada, including to the United States. Such transferred personal information may be subject to the laws of these other countries and the laws of other countries regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information may be different from the laws of Canada.


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