Supervisor, Zoning

Job Summary

Reporting to the Manager, Zoning & Zoning Administrator, this position supervises the Zoning Plans Examination team to deliver accurate and timely review service. The role develops staff expertise, fosters a supportive team culture, and resolves complex technical problems with a solution-focused, risk-aware mindset. The Supervisor requires diplomatic communication, political acumen, effective stakeholder collaboration, and a commitment to continuous process improvement.

Duties and Responsibilities

Supervision

• Day-to-day supervision of the Zoning Plans Examination team; assign and prioritize workloads to ensure reviews meet statutory requirements under applicable provincial legislation and internal service levels.
• Monitor review quality, timeliness, and service levels; track KPIs and initiate actions to meet targets.
• Manage escalations and resolve complex files; provide technical guidance; influence internal and external stakeholders to resolve issues.
• Develop staff; lead onboarding and training; conduct performance evaluations.

Team Development & Culture

• Monitor workload and staff well-being; balance assignments, remove barriers, and support flexible solutions where operationally feasible.
• Provide onboarding, mentoring and technical guidance through regular 1:1s and team meetings; encourages questions and facilitates team discussions. Records outcomes of unique situations for educational and improvement opportunities.
• Conduct performance evaluations. Deliver targeted training and maintain individual development plans.
• Champion inclusive, positive and supportive team environment. Recognize contributions and celebrate wins.

Communication

• Prepare technical briefs, reports, and correspondence to support the Manager.
• Respond to escalations from homeowners, builders, architects, engineers, and other stakeholders; provide timely, plain-language guidance and document advice given.
• Manage politically, economically and socially sensitive matters with discretion, diplomacy, and sound judgment; identify risks, recommend mitigation, and escalate as needed.
• Represent Zoning Plans Examination as a subject matter expert at internal and external meetings.

Business Improvement

• Fosters a continuous-improvement culture; identify, develop and implement process improvements; lead change management.
• Maintain and evolve standard operating procedures, process manuals and job toolkits.
• Use data to track trends; identify improvement opportunities, and act on findings.

Perform other related duties assigned.

Skills and Qualifications

Education

• Diploma or degree in Planning, Architectural Technology, Engineering, or Law; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Relevant professional designations (RPP, CACPT, CBCO, BCIN, CET) are assets.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years in the planning/building industry, including at least 3 years in a municipal environment.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience leading technical teams.
• Direct experience with plans examination and zoning interpretation.

Knowledge & Technical Skills

• Reading and interpreting architectural/civil drawings, site plans, surveys, and specifications.
• Knowledge of municipal zoning by-laws, the Planning Act, and the Building Code Act/Ontario Building Code (as they relate to zoning) and other regulatory law.
• Proficient written and verbal communication, including technical report writing and plain-language explanations for diverse audiences.
• Customer service strength, including conflict resolution and problem solving.
• Team development: coaching, mentoring, and building technical capability.
• Political acumen and sound judgment when working with elected officials and sensitive information.
• Proficient with MS Office, GIS and CAD. Experience with digital permitting/ePlans is an asset.