Director, Development Services (Full Time Permanent)

Director, Development Services

(Job # 2021-033-E)

Department: Development Services

Status: Permanent, Full Time

Date Posted: May 10, 2021

Date Closing: June 18, 2021 4:30 p.m.

Number of Positions: 1

Scheduled Hours/Shifts: 37.5 hours per week

Salary: $141,143 – $171,737 per year

Position Purpose:
The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville is part of York Region, one of Canada’s highest population-growth areas, and is

situated northeast of Toronto. Highway 404 forms the town’s western boundary and connects to the province’s 400-series

highways, providing easy access to business transportation routes including Lester B. Pearson Airport. While the current

population is approximately 49,000 residents, the town’s population is expected to reach 60,000 by 2031.

Whitchurch-Stouffville is a lively, fast-growing town, with traditional rural and communal roots that provides perspective in

transforming to a knowledge-based economy. The town has four main settlement areas: The Community of Stouffville,

Ballantrae-Musselman’s Lake, Vandorf-Preston Lake and Gormley. There are also a number of neighborhood

communities within Whitchurch-Stouffville including: Bethesda, Bloomington, Cedar Valley, Lemonville, Lincolnville, Pine

Orchard, Pleasantville, Ringwood, Vivian and Wesley Corners.

The Role

Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, the Director provides direction and leadership to the overall operation and

administration of the Development Services Department. Responsible for the Policy Planning, Development Planning,

Building and Development Engineering Divisions of the Department to ensure the effective and efficient management of

development review, long range planning including area wide infrastructure and transportation systems, urban design,

Geographic Information Systems (GIS), administration of the Ontario Building Code and the administration of subdivision

agreements.

Key responsibilities include: initiating and coordinating the development and recommendation of planning policies and

strategies; coordinating the processing of Planning Act applications/amendments such as Official Plan Amendments,

Zoning Amendments, and plans of subdivisions/condominiums; negotiating development agreements; consulting with the

Public Works Department concerning Town engineering standards for the public realm; providing direction and advice on

planning, development, engineering and building matters; administration of the Site Alteration By-law; staff supervision

and development; preparing and implementing the department’s operating and capital budgets; preparing and/or

reviewing staff reports to Council and committees and attending Council meetings; appearing before the Ontario Municipal

Board (OMB) / Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT), and/or other tribunals as an expert witness; and contributing to the

senior management team.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Directs the Development Planning Division within the Development Services Department including development

review, long range planning, urban design and G.I.S.

• Directs the Policy Planning within the Development Services Department including the Official Plan and Zoning

Bylaw.

• Directs the Building Services Division within the Development Services Department in administration of the

Ontario Building Code Act and its regulations.

• Directs the Engineering Services Division within the Development Services Department in administration of

subdivision agreements; developing Town engineering standards; and administration of the Town’s Site Alteration

By-law.

• Provides strategic leadership and direction to Department staff to meet the Town’s long-range planning objectives

and growth management strategies, Official Plan updates; secondary plans and special study areas; identifies

urban design needs, parks and open space requirements; heritage preservation and archaeological assessments;

and ensures public consultation/ participation is consistent with residents and Council expectations.

• Provides strategic direction and advice as required on the development and administration of the Town’s General

Zoning by-law and amendments thereto.

• Provides advice and guidance to the Manager of Planning Services to ensure effective review function including

site plans, draft plans of subdivision and condominium, redevelopment proposals including reviewing reports from

staff, internal departments, commenting agencies and resolving outstanding issues with developers; approves

recommendations for conditions of development.

• Ensures innovative, high quality urban design standards are developed and implemented to achieve the Towns

strategic vision as it relates to maintaining and enhancing the Town’s urban/rural character.

• Recommends policies and procedures for growth management criteria and provides bi-annual updates, data and

forecasts. Ensures timely reporting to Senior Management and Council.

• In consultation with the Director of Public Works and, where necessary, the Region and Provincial agencies,

identifies, monitors and actively develops long range/area-wide infrastructure planning initiatives and strategies

for major road networks and transportation systems, sanitary sewer and water main trunk systems, and storm

water management facilities within sub-watershed areas. Participates in Town sponsored Environmental

Assessment studies; reviews and submits reports to Council on Environmental Assessment studies done by the

Region or Province on projects affecting the Town.

• In consultation with the Director of Leisure & Community Services, participates in the design of public spaces

such as parks, trails and community gathering destinations.

• Monitors current building activities, prepares growth projections to ensure staff and financial resources are

provided to meet the Town’s responsibilities under the Building Code Act.

• Recommends annual operating and 10-year capital budgets; recommends departmental fee structure and

recoverable costs; and establishes and implements financial management systems, monitors and authorizes

expenditures, participates in review/update of development charges and user fee by-laws.

• Provides input on corporate planning and strategic initiatives; leads project teams, contributes to senior

management team meetings.

• Liaises with and represents the Town in dealings/meetings with York Region, the Province, Federal agencies,

community and inter-municipal groups. Provides expert witness and other testimony as Director of Planning and

Development Services and may be required for Town participation in O.M.B., E.A., court, and on other judicial

proceedings.

• Assesses departmental staff needs, makes recommendations on complement amendments and organization

structure, participates in the recruitment process and recommends hiring/promotions.

• Supervises and/or oversees the supervision of Planning and Development Services staff including staff

development, performance management, coaching/mentoring, health and safety, discipline and termination

recommendations.

• Develops Departmental policies and objectives that are aligned with service levels established by Council and/or

Provincial Regulations and ensures the implementation of these directives of the Department through each of the

Department’s Managers.

• Prepares reports/makes recommendations and attends Council, Council in Committee, Senior Management,

Committee of Adjustment, Community, Public and other meetings.

• Provides support and research assistance to other Directors and the CAO as required.
• Undertakes special projects and performs other duties as assigned, in accordance with departmental or corporate

objectives.

• May serve as a member or alternate member of the Town’s Emergency Community Control/Support Group in the

event of an emergency. Such requirements are at the discretion of the CAO and may have unique requirements

depending on the situation (for example, extended hours of work).

Candidate Profile

• Degree in Planning, Architecture or Engineering.
• Full member of the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) and/or Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP),

and/or Ontario Architects Association (OAA), and/or Professional Engineers of Ontario.

• Significantly demonstrated management experience in development engineering and planning, in a municipal

environment working with developers, elected officials, and general members of the public, and experience in

leading/coordinating consultants.

• Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate staff and create a highly engaged workforce.
• Extensive working knowledge of applicable legislation, practices and principles of municipal development.

Minimum 10 years related experience, with seven years (minimum) in a supervisory position.

• Advanced analytical, reasoning and report writing, public relations, communication, presentation, organizational,

leadership and customer service skills with the ability to align the Development Services Department with

corporate strategic goals and objectives.

• Computer literacy in Microsoft Office.
• Class G driver’s license in good standing and a reliable vehicle to use on corporate business.
• Ability to meet demands of a public service environment and able to attend evening/weekend meetings as

required.

Candidates will have strong business acumen, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, a passion for public

service and will be politically knowledgeable with a proven ability to navigate political and emotionally sensitive situations.

In addition, candidates will have a values-based leadership approach that is inclusive, positive, transparent, and reflects

the high level of integrity, trustworthiness and ethical conduct required for success in the role.

Positions Supervised Directly:
Manager, Planning Policy

Manager, Development Planning

Manager, Building Services/Chief Building Official

Manager, Engineering Services

Administrative Assistant

Positions Supervised Indirectly: 19 Full-Time Staff

The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to inclusive, barrier- free

recruitment and selection processes and work environments. Please advise WMC of accommodations needed to ensure

you have access to a fair and equitable process. The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville offers competitive compensation

along with a benefits plan, pension plan and professional development.

How to Apply:
If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Western Management Consultants (WMC) directly. Any

communication and information received will be treated confidentially. Please call us or send your resume to David Howes

at WMC by email: [email protected]