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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Heritage Planner

💰 $65,000 - $110,000

Urban PlanningHeritage ConservationGovernmentArchitectureCultural Resource Management

🎯 Role Definition

A Heritage Planner is a specialized professional at the crossroads of urban planning, history, and architecture. You are the custodian of our collective memory, working to identify, evaluate, and protect buildings, landscapes, and districts of cultural heritage significance. This role involves balancing the pressures of development with the imperative of conservation, ensuring that the stories and character of our communities are preserved for future generations. You'll act as a key advisor, researcher, and negotiator, shaping policies and reviewing development proposals to create places that are both vibrant and historically rich.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Junior Planner / Planning Technician
  • Architectural Historian or Researcher
  • Conservation Assistant or Intern

Advancement To:

  • Senior Heritage Planner / Program Lead
  • Manager of Cultural Heritage or Urban Design
  • Director of Planning Policy

Lateral Moves:

  • Urban Designer
  • Policy Planner (with a heritage focus)
  • Cultural Resource Management Consultant

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Development Application Review: Critically assess and provide expert heritage advice on a wide range of development applications, including zoning by-law amendments, site plans, and minor variances, to ensure they align with conservation principles and policies.
  • Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) Analysis: Prepare and/or rigorously review Heritage Impact Assessments and Conservation Plans submitted by applicants, evaluating potential impacts on heritage resources and negotiating effective mitigation strategies.
  • Historical Research and Evaluation: Conduct in-depth archival and field research to assess the cultural heritage value or interest of properties, areas, and landscapes according to established federal, provincial, and municipal criteria.
  • Heritage Designation and Management: Lead the process of designating individual properties and Heritage Conservation Districts (HCDs), from initial research and public consultation through to the preparation of designation by-laws and supporting documentation.
  • Policy Development: Develop, draft, and recommend updates to official plan policies, zoning by-laws, and design guidelines related to heritage conservation to strengthen the local regulatory framework.
  • Stakeholder Consultation and Advice: Serve as the primary point of contact for heritage matters, providing professional guidance to property owners, developers, architects, community groups, and the public on conservation best practices and regulatory requirements.
  • Committee and Council Reporting: Prepare comprehensive and defensible reports with clear recommendations for Heritage Advisory Committees, Planning Committees, and Municipal Council, and present these findings in public meetings.
  • Expert Testimony: Represent the organization as a qualified expert witness in legal proceedings and hearings before administrative bodies like the Ontario Land Tribunal or local appeal boards, defending heritage-related decisions.
  • Heritage Register Management: Manage, update, and maintain the Municipal Heritage Register, including processing requests for listing and removal and ensuring its accuracy as a planning tool.
  • Public Engagement and Education: Design and lead public consultation processes, including community meetings, workshops, and open houses, to foster community buy-in and gather input on heritage projects.
  • Site Inspection and Monitoring: Conduct on-site inspections of heritage properties to monitor their condition, review proposed alterations, and ensure that construction work complies with approved permits and conservation standards.
  • Grant Program Administration: Administer heritage property tax relief, grant, or other financial incentive programs, including promoting the program, reviewing applications, and managing program budgets.
  • Inter-departmental Collaboration: Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues in Building, Planning, Economic Development, and Public Works to ensure a coordinated approach and the integration of heritage conservation objectives into all municipal initiatives.

Secondary Functions

  • Special Project Leadership: Undertake and manage special projects related to heritage, such as thematic historical studies, inventories of modern heritage, cultural landscape assessments, or the creation of interpretive materials.
  • Consultant Management: Prepare terms of reference for, and oversee the work of, external heritage consultants retained by the municipality for specialized studies or peer reviews.
  • GIS and Data Management: Utilize Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other databases to map, track, and analyze data related to designated properties, heritage districts, and other cultural resources.
  • Public Awareness Initiatives: Develop educational materials, website content, walking tours, and social media campaigns to promote a broader public understanding and appreciation of local heritage.
  • Legislation and Trend Monitoring: Proactively monitor and analyze changes in provincial/federal legislation, case law, and emerging best practices in the field of heritage conservation to ensure the organization’s approach remains current and effective.
  • Indigenous Consultation: Participate in and support meaningful consultation with Indigenous communities regarding cultural heritage resources, sacred sites, and traditional knowledge connected to the land.
  • Inquiry Response: Act as a subject matter expert in responding to complex and often sensitive inquiries from the media, elected officials, and the general public regarding heritage policies and properties.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Legislative & Policy Expertise: In-depth knowledge of relevant legislation (e.g., Ontario Heritage Act, Planning Act), policies (Provincial Policy Statement), and conservation standards (e.g., The Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada).
  • Architectural & Historical Knowledge: Strong understanding of Canadian architectural history, building styles, construction methods, and material conservation principles.
  • Research & Analysis: Advanced proficiency in historical and archival research methods, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, evidence-based evaluations.
  • HIA & Conservation Planning: Demonstrated ability to prepare and critically review technical heritage reports, including Heritage Impact Assessments, Strategic Conservation Plans, and Cultural Landscape studies.
  • Project Management: Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, from conception to completion, including managing budgets, timelines, and consultants.
  • GIS & Software Proficiency: Competency with GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS) for spatial data management and analysis, as well as proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite).

Soft Skills

  • Communication & Public Speaking: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex and sometimes controversial information clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, from residents to legal counsel.
  • Negotiation & Conflict Resolution: Superior negotiation and facilitation skills to build consensus and find creative solutions among stakeholders with competing interests, such as developers, community advocates, and property owners.
  • Political Acuity: A high degree of tact, diplomacy, and judgment, with the ability to navigate politically sensitive situations and provide sound advice within a municipal government structure.
  • Interpersonal & Relationship Building: Excellent interpersonal skills for establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with staff, the public, committees, Council, and external agencies.
  • Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving: Strong analytical ability to dissect complex development proposals, identify key heritage issues, and formulate logical, defensible, and practical planning recommendations.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

A university degree in a relevant discipline.

Preferred Education:

A Master's degree in Planning, Heritage Conservation, Architecture, Architectural History, or a closely related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Urban and Regional Planning
  • Heritage / Historic Conservation
  • Architecture / Architectural History
  • Public History / History
  • Landscape Architecture

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-7 years of direct, professional experience in a heritage planning role, preferably within a municipal context. Experience should demonstrate progressively increasing responsibility in reviewing development applications, policy work, and managing heritage projects.

Preferred:

  • Full or provisional membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) and the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI).
  • Membership in the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals (CAHP).
  • Direct experience presenting before committees and providing expert testimony at administrative tribunals.
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