Planning, Summer Student

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Department: Growth & Development (Housing)

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Student

Union Status: Exclusion - Non Union - NSPG

Closing Date: 23-Mar-25 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Housing Branch of the Department of Growth and Development is responsible for ensuring the availability of safe, suitable, and affordable housing for all Nova Scotians. Our work involves making strategic investments, leveraging new funding, and building on critical partnerships to help further position ourselves to meet current and future housing challenges.

About Our Opportunity

The Planning Summer Student will work on specific projects related to removing barriers and expediting housing development, including work related to the Executive Panel on Housing in HRM. This will include a variety of tasks:

• Policy, regulatory and amendment analysis
• Identification of emerging planning trends, policies, and best practices
• Land studies analysis
• Site planning and suitability assessment
• Review of development agreements and public engagement materials
• Preparing briefing materials, reports, and presentations

Primary Accountabilities

The Planning Summer Student will work closely with the Executive Director:

• Work as part of a team of professionals from a variety of disciplines to help expedite housing supply within HRM and other municipalities throughout Nova Scotia;
• Review legislation, regulations, municipal strategy policy, land-use bylaws, consultant reports, land/sites background studies, academic research and various other documents;
• Research for solutions suggested by other jurisdictions;
• Assist in the analysis of special planning areas and backlog;

You will also have the opportunity to learn about the delivery of housing planning in Nova Scotia by being directly involved in shaping policy and development decisions.

Qualifications and Experience

To be the successful candidate, you are a minimum of a year away from completion of your graduate or degree in planning. Candidates who have completed a bachelor’s degree in planning may also be considered.

Candidates must possess excellent writing and analytical skills and be prepared to present materials orally to stakeholders.

Well-developed knowledge of the principles and practices of planning including cross-functional knowledge involving other disciplines.

Knowledge of the legislative framework under which land use planning law operates and the ability to interpret and draft by-laws.

Candidates should be interested in a summer employment opportunity where you can gain practical experience and receive training and mentorship in the field of planning, housing, and government.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: interview(s), writing assessment, submission and review of past work, and reference checks.

Working Conditions

Working hours are from approximately 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday (35 hr work week). You will be working in a team setting with staff from the Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing office. Most of the work is done in an office setting, but there may be opportunities to visit municipalities and to work from home up to two days a week.

Additional Information

There is one (1) opportunity available.

Candidates are also asked to submit a record of post-secondary classes completed to date, with their application.

This opportunity will have an anticipated end date of August 31, 2025.

What We Offer

• Practical experience working with professionals in the field of housing provision;
• Project experience that will advance sustainable community planning in Nova Scotia;
• Opportunity to learn about and work in a government setting.

Pay Grade: HOURLY

Salary Range: $20.09 - $29.69 Hourly

Employment Equity Statement:

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.

Current government employees may access this posting through the link below:

PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to Competitions@novascotia.ca.