Job Opportunity

Position: Planning and Regulations Technician
Organization: Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
Work location: RVCA Headquarters, 3889 Rideau Valley Drive, Manotick, ON

• Full-Time permanent
• There is no direct public transportation to the worksite; candidates should ensure they have reliable transportation prior to applying.
• Number of Positions: One
• Existing Vacancy: Yes
• AI Used in Hiring: No

About the RVCA:

RVCA is one of 36 conservation authorities in Ontario responsible for furthering the "conservation, restoration, development and management of natural resources in the watershed" under the Conservation Authorities Act. We are dedicated to protecting people and property from natural hazards like flooding and erosion, while conserving the wetlands, forests and natural areas that reduce their impacts.

About the Job

You will be responsible for:
• Responding to inquiries from the public regarding planning and regulations applications.
• The intake of development applications.
• Assist with processing of Conservation Authorities Act and Planning Act applications.
• Taking part in public meetings.
• Researching and responding to confidential legal inquiries.
• Conducting site visits to confirm conditions by taking photos and measurements.
• Maintaining accurate records and data entry.
• Providing general support to planning and regulations staff.
• Assisting with public open houses.

Who you are

As the preferred candidate you:
• Have a university degree or college diploma in planning, geography, natural resource management or related environmental sciences.
• Have two or more years related experience, preferably in customer service.
• Have experience using GIS and interpreting maps and technical drawings.
• Have knowledge of relevant legislation.
• Have good working knowledge of Microsoft Office products.
• Have excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Can work independently and with a team.
• Can handle difficult conversations with tact and diplomacy.
• Could work in the field occasionally to confirm application information.

What we offer

• Full time, 35 hours per week
• Salary range of $65,819 to $78,709 annually
• OMERS Pension Plan from day 1
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Free onsite parking
• Group benefits plan after 3 months

JOB SUMMARY

A public-facing member of the Planning and Regulations team, the Planning and Regulations Technician supports the administration and processing of applications under the Conservation Authorities Act and the Planning Act.

This position is responsible for application intake and administrative support for the Planning and Regulation department. The Planning and Regulations Technician reviews development applications for completeness, collects fees, responds to general inquiries, and manages documents through data entry, tracking and records management. The role also includes conducting site visits, as required.

The Planning and Regulations Technician is expected to provide courteous, timely, and efficient service to the public while developing technical knowledge and skills related to natural hazard management and the protection of public health and safety.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Responding to property inquiries from the public related to applications reviewed by the Planning and Regulations team, including walk-in and in-person meetings, by identifying location, natural hazards, natural features and constraints of a property and explaining any relevant regulatory and planning processes.
2. Process intake of development activity applications under Ontario Regulation 41/24, including coordination of review applications for completeness, including the collection of fees.
3. Assist with the Authority’s Plan Review program by attending pre-consultation meetings and/or public meetings, screening municipal planning applications and providing comments and evaluations related to natural hazards as required.
4. Research and respond to confidential legal inquiries such as clearance letters associated with Section 28 of the Conservation Authorities Act.
5. Conduct site visits to confirm conditions by taking photos and measurements and recording observations about the property prior to issuance of a permit, verifying compliance with permit conditions confirm work completed to close files.
6. Maintain and manage accurate digital records and database input for tracking and reporting purposes.
7. Support other Planning/Regulations Technician staff and departmental coverage.
8. Assist with public open houses for natural hazards mapping, related studies and flood or erosion control projects.
9. Other duties as assigned.

EFFORT

• 90% of work is spent at a workstation in an open office environment, reviewing planning file information, meeting with applicants and responding to inquiries.
• 10% of work may be spent attending or assisting with site visits at applicant properties.
• Long periods of sitting at a workstation.
• Long periods of computer use, looking at a screen.
• Long periods of concentration and mental effort.
• Occasional periods of physical effort such lifting small boxes of communications materials, walking on uneven terrain during a site visit.
• Occasional long periods of driving.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• 90% of work is performed indoors in a normal office environment.
• 10% of may be performed on sites to confirm planning application information.
• Potential exposure to difficult situations and/or frustrated landowners.
• Potential high workload due to fluctuation in application submissions.
• Occasional long periods of driving throughout the watershed.
• Occasional evening and weekend work required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• University degree or college diploma in planning, geography, natural resource management or related environmental sciences.
• Minimum two years’ related experience, preferably in a customer service setting.
• Experience working with GIS and the ability to interpret and scale technical and construction drawings, aerial photography and maps.
• Knowledge of the Conservation Authorities Act, Planning Act, and related regulations and policies.
• Good working knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite of products (Word, Excel, and Outlook).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. The ability to communicate verbally in French is an asset.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to diplomatically handle difficult conversations.
• Demonstrated ability to work well independently and in a team environment.
• Physically capable of navigating difficult terrain.
• Valid driver’s license and a relatively clean driving record is mandatory.
• Strong commitment to championing protection of the environment and the safeguarding of land and water resources.

HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

To meet health and safety standards and regulations, the incumbent must be trained and/or evaluated in the following areas.
• RVCA Driver’s Test
• WHMIS
• First aid and CPR an asset

Apply

If you are enthusiastic about conservation and think you would be a good fit for this position, please send your resume and cover letter by email no later than 4:30pm, Friday, June 19, 2026 to: hr@rvca.ca

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

Please write your name and the position you are applying for in the subject line of your email.

Visit us on the web at www.rvca.ca

The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an accessible and inclusive experience for RVCA job applicants and employees. If you require accommodations at any point during the recruitment process, please contact us at hr@rvca.ca and we will work with you to meet your request. The RVCA welcomes all applications; however, we will contact only those candidates selected for consideration.