Open Space Planner

The City of Edmonton is looking for a collaborative and strategic professional to join the Open Space Strategy team and help shape the future of Edmonton’s open space system. This temporary full-time role offers a professional opportunity to impact how our city grows, how residents and visitors access the city’s network of trails, parks, and natural areas, and how our ecological network is protected.

As an Open Space Planner, you will act as a subject matter expert and leader in parks planning, recreation planning, and urban ecology. You will contribute to the protection and enhancement of the city’s open space network, including the River Valley and Ravine System, by supporting data-driven spatial analysis and the development of open space strategies, plans, and standards.

What Will You Do?

• Apply knowledge of land use, environmental, ecological, and open space planning principles to develop plans, standards, and guidelines for the city’s open space network
• Conduct policy research and apply expertise in current best practices to develop planning and policy recommendations and support long-term, strategic planning for Edmonton’s open space network, including municipal parks and natural areas
• Conduct spatial analyses and create complex mapping products to support the protection and long-term, strategic planning of the city’s open spaces and ecological network
• Conduct evidence-based and data-driven analyses to inform the development and implementation of open space strategies and policies
• Create maps, dashboards, and interactive web-based tools to support policy development, internal and external engagement, and decision-making
• Support the maintenance of open space datasets
• Contribute to public, interested party, and Indigenous engagement planning, facilitation, and reporting
• Support the technical review of municipal environmental impact assessments, biophysical assessments, and strategic assessments
• Support the review of land development applications, including proposed statutory plan amendments, rezoning, and subdivision applications
• Complete formal written and verbal presentations as required
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to improve implementation of the City of Edmonton's open space policies, plans, strategies, and procedures, and promote best practices in open space and ecological planning
• Undertake a variety of projects or work assignments requiring analysis and the generation of alternatives, recommendations, and decisions related to the city’s open space network
• Perform other related duties as required

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Urban and Regional Planning, Geography, Human Geography, Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, or a related field
• Minimum of two years of progressively relevant and responsible experience, including open space policy and strategy development, environmental policy and strategy development, parks planning, recreational planning, ecological planning, and/or spatial analysis

Assets

• Post-graduate degree in Urban and Regional Planning, Geography, Human Geography, Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, or a related field
• Advanced proficiency in GIS software (ArcGIS, QGIS), land use analysis, and/or data visualization
• Membership or eligibility for membership with the Canadian Institute of Planners and its regional affiliate and/or the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists

Skills required for success

• Demonstrated experience applying land use, open space, recreation, and/or ecological planning principles
• Demonstrated experience with GIS software, spatial analysis, mapping, and data management in the fields of urban, environmental, or open space planning
• Ability to complete spatial analysis and conceptualize, build, and maintain interactive maps, dashboards, and web-based GIS story maps
• Knowledge of applicable legislation, regulatory requirements, and governing policies and plans
• Experience working with and integrating multiple planning functions, including ecological planning, parks planning, and urban development
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of internal and external partners and interested parties
• Knowledge of computer systems, including word processing, spreadsheets, and mapping applications
• Alignment to our Cultural Commitments and Leadership Competencies (https://bit.ly/4brRrXm)
• Embracing a culture of equity, diversity, reconciliation and inclusion

Conditions of Employment

• Standard corporate compliance policies, including IT security guidelines, the Integrated Corporate Data Framework, and FOIP/privacy regulations apply
• Applicants may be tested

Work Environment

• Note: This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement with the flexibility to work from both home and the worksite as per the Letter of Understanding between the City of Edmonton and Civic Service Union 52
• The weekly hours of work for this position are currently under review and may change at a future time. Any changes will be made in accordance with the City of Edmonton/Civic Service Union 52 collective agreement and the incumbent will be notified in advance
• This role works primarily in an indoor setting
• Availability to attend events during the evenings and weekends may be required from time to time

The City of Edmonton values applicants with a diverse range of skills, experiences and competencies, and encourages you to apply. We strive to provide reasonable access and accommodations throughout the recruitment process. To request an accommodation, please contact employment@edmonton.ca. Learn more about our benefits https://bit.ly/COEbenefits.

Up to 1 temporary full-time position for up to 11 months

Hours of Work: 33.75 Hours per week

Salary Range: $51.611 - $65.218 (Hourly)

Recruitment Consultant: JF/SO

Edmonton rests in the heart of Treaty Six territory in Alberta and the homelands of the Metis Nation

Classification Title: Planner I
Posting Date: Jul 29, 2026
Closing Date: Aug 19, 2026 11:59:00 PM (MDT)
Number of Openings (up to): 1 - Temporary Full-time
Union: CSU 52
Department: Urban Planning and Economy
Work Location(s): 7th Floor Edmonton Tower, 10111 104 Avenue Edmonton T5J 0J4