Social Planner I

Requisition ID: 43623

Organization

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

Main Purpose and Function

The Cultural Planner I – Collections is responsible for overseeing the management and maintenance of the City’s collections, with a particular focus on the public art collection, as well as with other organizations managing City collections. The position is responsible for leading and developing collections registration, collection activations, conservation assessments, and maintenance programs. The position will also lead and support policy development and administrative duties, including preparing reports and documents as required for program operations. The position is responsible for public art donations and deaccessions, collection documentation, registration, and information management. This role may be assigned extensive research assignments and will be influential in developing and implementing new policies and programs. This role is centered on strategic directions and actions in Culture|Shift, Vancouver’s Culture Plan for 2020-2029:

• Arts & Culture at the centre of City building: Champion creators and elevate arts & culture
• Reconciliation & Decolonization: Centre Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh visibility on the land and across the city
• Cultural Equity & Accessibility: Prioritize intangible cultural heritage and promote cultural redress
• Collaboration & Capacity: Strengthen sector resilience by facilitating partnerships & leveraging investment

This position reports to the Planner III - Public Art and works closely with other Arts & Culture teams as well as other City departments. This role manages other public art staff and external consultants and contractors, as required. Key contacts and partners include artists, fabricators, registrars, conservators, major collecting institutions, collectors, non-profit organizations, developers, civic departments, other levels of government, and outside agencies.

Specific Duties/Responsibilities

• Leads collection maintenance planning, activation and oversight, working with key public art team staff, conservators, and contractors.
• Oversees City’s collections of public art and studio art.
• Works with the wider Public Art team and partners to embed an equity and reconciliation lens in all aspects of work where able.
• Leads City’s relationship with major cultural institutions who have Civic collections, including the Museum of Vancouver, Maritime Museum, Vancouver Art Gallery and others.
• Leads procurement of maintenance subcontractors.
• Leads and supports all agreements, MOUs and Contracts.
• Supports Planner III on capital planning, budgets, reconciliation of accounts and reserve balances.
• Leads responses to collection inquiries by media and residents.
• Supports other PIIs on technical and maintenance considerations for existing and new art commissions.
• Manages all donations and deaccessions.
• Confirms and meets the priorities of the collection registry(s).
• Maintains and improves collection registry(s) and its public-facing interface.
• Maintains liaison as needed with artists, consultants, Civic departmental staff and others.
• Develops, implements and evaluates policies and programs relating to public art, prepares related reports and meets with officials of other City Departments such as Planning, Parks, and Engineering Services.
• Drafts and presents reports to Public Art Committee, City Council, and other bodies; makes presentations and answers questions at Council and public meetings, answers public inquiries and corresponds with the public, other Civic and outside agencies.
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Education and Experience:

• University graduation, preferably at a Masters level in Fine Arts, Art History, Museology, Conservation, or Cultural Planning sector, with considerable related experience, or a combination of education and relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience in collection management, activation, conservation, restoration, or related fields.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work with a range of media as well as specialized expertise in specific artwork media.
• Abilities in procurement and management of specialized maintenance services relating to the maintenance and repair of the City’s public art collection, ranging from mechanical repairs to technical analysis to treatment of highly refined surfaces.
• Knowledge of public art resources, including artists, art institutions, educational institutions, and other infrastructure supports.
• Ability to work with Municipal Government public art programs or major institutional collections is preferred.
• Working knowledge of materials used in public art projects, their suitability for specific applications and their durability and maintenance considerations.
• Considerable knowledge of Civic Governmental structure, Civic development processes, and private sector development matters is preferred but management of other complex collections is welcome.
• Demonstrated strength in project management, including project charters, work plans, contracting, procurement, budgeting, and timelines.
• Knowledge, experience and ability to apply core equity lenses to all work responsibilities, as appropriate: Indigenous Rights, Racial Justice, Intersectionality and Systems Orientation.
• Strong relationships and experience working with First Nations, with a preference for xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and urban Indigenous peoples and equity deserving communities.
• Knowledge of and experience working to advance the rights enumerated in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
• Ability to synthesize information, support prioritization, and balance the diverse interests of communities and partners while applying ethics of care principles to advance work in relational and effective ways.
• Ability to communicate effectively with elected representatives, appointed officials, and the public, orally and in writing.
• Excellent ability to work within a team environment and within defined timelines.
• Ability to supervise the work of cultural planners, other staff, and consultants.

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work a hybrid work week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite. At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

Business Unit/Department: Arts, Culture and Community Services (1200)

Affiliation: CUPE 15 Non Pks

Employment Type: Regular Full Time

Position Start Date: May 2025

Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-029: $51.7 to $61.13 per hour

Application Close: April 28, 2025

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

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In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx. 5-10 minutes. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a summary of skills and experience related to the position.