Community Growth Advisor
Located within the traditional land of the Anishnaabek, Haudenosaunee and Wendat-Wyandot-Wyandotte peoples, the Town of The Blue Mountains is a four-season community with stunning natural features, including the Niagara Escarpment, Beaver Valley and the Georgian Bay shoreline. Internationally recognized as a four-season tourism destination, The Blue Mountains offers a high-quality lifestyle that caters to families looking to build a solid foundation, adventurers looking to go off the beaten path and relaxation seekers taking in and experiencing the very best the area has to offer.
The Town is looking for people with a shared commitment to building a sustainable community, as well as shared values of integrity, inclusivity, excellence, accountability, and stewardship for the well-being of our residents.
Come gain a unique experience in the 2nd fastest growing municipality in Canada!
Position Summary:
Reporting to the Director of Planning and Building Services, the Community Growth Advisor will focus on advancing the Town’s strategic goals related to affordable housing through comprehensive program management, policy development, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy. Key responsibilities include overseeing the implementation of the Community Improvement Plan with an emphasis on affordability incentives, conducting strategic policy research, and facilitating partnerships to bridge housing gaps. The position demands a proactive approach to removing barriers for ‘shovel-ready’ projects and leading policy planning initiatives that align with the Town’s master plans and Housing Action Plan priorities. The Community Growth Advisor will collaborate closely with stakeholders and agencies, provide insightful input as part of the Interdepartmental Review Committee, and identify legislative and funding opportunities to bolster affordable housing efforts. A strategic thinker with a commitment to community impact, the Community Growth Advisor will support municipal leadership in advocacy and legislative change initiatives with other levels of government to foster an environment conducive to sustainable growth and affordable living solutions.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Lead the review and implementation of the Community Improvement Plan program with a lens to incentives that can maximize impact on affordable housing in the community.
- Research leading practices related to municipal strategy development on municipal affordable housing and ensuring the Town maintains accurate data related to housing gaps and growth projections.
- Conduct policy planning projects, including but not limited to growth management strategies, environmental assessments to support growth-related infrastructure and necessary background studies to inform the Town’s Official Plan.
- Engage with relevant stakeholders to inform strategies regarding growth and affordable housing, including developers, non-profits, regional municipalities and community groups.
- Support the delivery of priorities contained within the Town’s Housing Action Plan and bring forward necessary updates to Council and monitor progress.
- Act as the ‘concierge’ for affordable housing projects in Planning and Building Services, ensuring that practices and policies are not barriers to priority projects becoming ‘shovel-ready’.
- Identify opportunities to advocate for legislative change at the provincial and federal levels of government and support the CAO and Council in these efforts.
- Exploring and developing partnerships with other levels of government, developers and non-profit organizations to address affordable housing gaps.
- Sit as a member of the Town’s Interdepartmental Review Committee and provide input on development review through the lens of growth management and affordable housing.
- Consult with relevant departments embarking on land-use planning and servicing projects such as a Community Planning Permit System and Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan.
- Identify funding opportunities to allocate sufficient resources to incentivize new affordable housing projects in the community.
- Promotes a high standard of customer service to the public as well as to all internal customers.
- Work in compliance with the Highway Traffic Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, WHMIS, applicable legislation, regulations, statutes and departmental policies/procedures/practices and operational guidelines.
- Ensure that all necessary personal protective equipment (e.g. safety boots, hard hat, reflective vest, gloves, hearing protection, eye protection, etc.) are used and are maintained in good condition.
- Perform other related duties, as assigned, that are in accordance with job responsibilities and/or necessary departmental or corporate objectives.
What you will need:
- Degree in Urban Planning, Land Economics, Economic Development, Geography, Social Services or other related discipline.
- Full or provisional membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners and the Ontario Professional Planners Institute is an asset.
- Professional Economic Development certification is considered an asset
- Five (5) years of progressive experience dealing with affordable housing, investment attraction or related projects and programs, preferably in a municipal environment.
- Knowledge of applicable Federal, Provincial and municipal legislation, regulations, policies and procedures, as well as trends and issues related to affordable housing and economic growth.
- Knowledge of housing and economic issues within the Town of The Blue Mountains and/or smaller municipal geographies within Ontario or similar economic regions.
- Effective analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to obtain, understand, interpret and manipulate data and information to support and promote program/project planning and accountability.
- Demonstrated experience in program and services development and project management, specifically the implementation of new initiatives through planning, budgeting, setting key performance indicators, monitoring and evaluation processes, including strong research, data analysis, and organizational skills.
- Thorough understanding of local, County, Provincial, and Federal funding sources or the willingness to learn through research, and the ability to locate potential sources for funding.
- Excellent analytical, report writing, communication, relationship-building, and interpersonal skills, together with the ability to use tact and discretion and to deal courteously and effectively with all stakeholders.
- Demonstrated customer service skills at a level to develop and maintain cooperative/collaborative working relationships both within and outside the organization.
- Demonstrated time-management skills with the ability to prioritize workloads, work on multiple projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
- Thorough knowledge of Microsoft Office and Windows applications. Working knowledge of GIS applications, AutoCad, Adobe software or applications, and web publishing tools is an asset.
- Valid Class “G” driver’s license. Ability and willingness to travel within the community as required.
What we offer:
This is a new, full-time opportunity at the Town. The annual salary for this role is $82,884.17 – $96,968.69 (2025 Rate). The Town also offers the following to our employees:
- Perks & Discounts
- Wellness Programs
- Health & Dental Benefits * full-time & 12 month + contracts only
- OMERS
- Work / Life Flexibility
- Professional Development & Education Opportunities
The submission deadline for applications is 4:30 p.m. on June 12, 2025.
In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), please advise the Human Resources Department to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated throughout this process. Personal information provided by the applicants is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act, 2001 and will be used for the purpose of candidate selection.
We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
