Halifax Regional Municipality is inviting applications for a permanent, full-time position as Active Transportation Planner in the Office of Strategic Infrastructure & Transportation Planning.
Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is committed to reflecting the community it serves and recognizing Diversity and Inclusion as one of the Municipality’s core values. We have an Employment Equity Policy and we welcome applications from African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Women in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented in the workforce, Indigenous/Aboriginal People, Persons with Disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ Persons. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify on their electronic application.
The Active Transportation Planner reports to the Supervisor, Active Transportation and leads implementation of projects that make it safer and more comfortable for people to walk and bicycle. The Active Transportation Planner implements recommended actions from the Active Transportation Priorities Plan, Integrated Mobility Plan and other Council approved plans and projects related to active transportation. The Active Transportation Planner provides intermediate-level professional planning, project management and policy development services and works jointly with other business units and external stakeholders to realize municipal planning objectives.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Leads the functional planning (30% design) of new AT capital projects such as protected bike lanes, local street bikeways and multi-use pathways.
- Develops new Municipal AT programs and services in response to Council direction.
- Writes Regional Council recommendation reports to implement new AT capital projects and AT programs, as well as respond to Council motions. Presents to Council and Standing Committees and often leads discussion with Council.
- Leads internal and external stakeholder engagement processes for functional planning projects and program development projects to inform Council recommendations.
- Leads public engagement processes related to new AT capital projects and new programs to inform Council recommendations.
- Conducts field evaluations and assessments.
- Researches, analyzes and compiles information and statistical data and trends on a variety of transportation planning matters.
- Manages processes to evaluate and prioritize potential AT capital projects and establish implementation approaches, including integration opportunities, in both the medium and short- term.
- Leads procurement processes to engage professional engineering and planning services.
- Co-ordinates and supports information sharing (e.g. web content), promotion, and safety education initiatives in conjunction with internal and external stakeholders.
- Provides information and expertise to support detailed design, tendering, construction and maintenance of AT infrastructure.
- Provides expertise to other HRM projects such as streetscaping, road safety, land use plans, development agreements, Climate Change and other HRM initiatives of which AT is a part.
- Administers a program of monitoring characteristics of the AT network, such as modal share improved access and user satisfaction and periodically evaluates the effectiveness of current policies, services and infrastructure on achieving AT goals and objectives.
- Provides advice and support to the Municipality’s Active Transportation Advisory Committee and other committees of Council as required.
- Responds to information requests from the public, media and elected officials.
- Fosters cooperation and close working relationships between the department and other HRM departments and outside agencies.
- Keeps up to date on current research and practice in the field of active transportation planning.
- Oversees seasonal staff or interns as required.
- May perform other related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
- University degree in community planning/design, geography, transportation (civil) engineering, landscape architecture or environmental studies or related field from an accredited university.
- A minimum of three years professional experience in the field of transportation planning or community planning or related field.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Technical / Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities:
- Well-developed knowledge of the principles and practices of planning including cross-functional knowledge involving other disciplines such as engineering.
- Superior written and verbal communications and strong interpersonal and facilitation skills.
- Creative problem-solving skills that facilitate the gathering of relevant information to solve less well-defined practical problems.
- Ability to review land use plans to determine compliance with AT objectives and standards.
- Ability to apply a complete street lens to planning and program development projects.
- Ability to apply a social equity lens to planning and program development projects.
- Ability to work on several projects or issues simultaneously.
- Ability to work independently or in a team environment.
- Ability to implement engagement processes that access by a wide range of residents and that reflect HRM diversity and inclusion objectives.
- Ability to calmly manage volatile situations where the public or stakeholders may disagree with each other or with HRM. This ability is complemented by the use of appropriate mediation and diplomatic skills in such situations.
- Knowledge in the following areas:
- The application of transportation planning methods.
- Current research related to policies and design standards in the areas of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and services.
- The factors that influence travel behavior.
- Public and stakeholder engagement.
- Options analysis and evaluation.
- Travel mode monitoring.
- Policy development.
- Statistical methods and analyses.
- Mobility impacts of developments and subdivisions.
- Roadway design and capacity impacts, including multi-modal analysis.
- Complete streets principles.
- Standard office software and technology including Microsoft Office Suite, Internet applications, GIS, Adobe InDesign, SketchUp and other similar systems and technology related to the business unit.
- Provincial and municipal policies and regulations (i.e. N.S. Municipal Government Act, N.S. Motor Vehicle Act, Municipal Planning Strategies, Municipal Subdivision By-laws, Municipal Land Use Bylaws, HRM Municipal Service System), particularly as they relate to active transportation.
Security Clearance Requirements: Applicants may be required to complete an employment security screening check.
Please note: Testing may be conducted as a component of the selection process to assess technical and job specific knowledge. Candidates who are selected for testing, may be tested in a group setting, scheduled at the employer’s discretion.
COMPETENCIES: Valuing Diversity, Communications, Analytical Thinking, Conflict Management, Customer Service, Visioning, Strategic Thinking & Innovation, Organizing & Planning, Teamwork & Cooperation.
WORK STATUS: Permanent, full-time.
HOURS OF WORK: Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm; 35 hours per week.
SALARY: Group 9 $42.50 per hour as per the NSGEU Local 222 Collective Agreement.
WORK LOCATION: Duke Tower (3rd Floor), 5251 Duke Street, Halifax. Work location can be changed according to operational requirements.
CLOSING DATE: Applications will be received up to 11:59 pm on Sunday, November 15, 2026.
This is a bargaining unit position. External applicants will only be considered if there are no qualified bargaining unit candidates.
Please note: We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for interview/testing will be contacted.
To ensure a fair and equitable hiring process, candidates are expected to complete all parts of the recruitment process, including assessments, assignments, and interviews independently and without the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools or other forms of external assistance. The use of AI to complete any component of the hiring process is not permitted and may result in disqualification from consideration.
Shortlisted candidates will be required to provide proof of their qualifications, including, but not limited to, educational credentials, professional licenses, and relevant certifications.
During the recruitment process, applicants have the right to request an accommodation. Applicants invited to participate in an assessment process (such as interview or testing) and who require an accommodation, should discuss their needs with the Talent Acquisition Advisor when invited to the assessment process. For more information on our accommodation process please click on the link: Accommodations | Hiring | Employment | Halifax
