Planning Data Analyst

Planning Data Analyst

Job Number: 2883
Job Type: Full-Time
Location: 150 Frederick St - Regional Admin Headquarters
Job Category: Administration
Number of Positions: 1
Department: Regional Growth and Analytical Services
Division: Planning, Development and Legislative Services
Hours of Work: 35
Union: CUPE 1883
Grade: CUPE 1883 Grade 012
Salary Range: $39.29 - $44.52 per hour
About Us!

The Region of Waterloo is a thriving, diverse community committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations. Waterloo Region is part of the Dish with One Spoon wampum, a treaty guiding our commitment to:

• Taking only what we need
• Leaving some for others
• Keeping the dish clean

This agreement underpins our vision, mission, and core value, and reinforces our dedication to meaningful reconciliation and equity Waterloo Region is home to over 674,000 residents and expected to grow to nearly one million by 2051 Guided by our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, “Growing with Care,” we prioritize homes for all, climate aligned growth, equitable services and opportunities and a resilient and future ready organization. Our mission is to provide essential services that enhance the quality of life for all residents, while our core value emphasizes caring for people and the land we share. Join us and be part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in our community The Role Supports corporate data and analytics needs by gathering, developing, compiling, and maintaining planning-related data and spatial datasets, monitoring trends, conducting research, providing analysis, developing maps, and generating reports of planning-related data. Provides recommendations to management on the use of data and analytical methods.
Duties/Responsibilities

• Creates and maintains departmental tabular data and spatial layers, documentation, and inventories relating to demographics, economic, socio-economic, environmental, cultural, and policy indicators. Monitors for quality control to ensure data and spatial layers are current, accurate, reliable, and accessible. Writes and modifies scripts to verify data.
• Prepares monitoring reports to Council and briefs to management and senior leadership to evaluate and measure policy initiatives, indicators, and trends. Monitors key performance indicators and market trends.
• Responds to internal and external requests for information. Prepares custom data/information packages as requested for internal and external groups. Ensures accuracy of the information.
• Assists with updating population, housing, and employment-related models in collaboration with other planning staff.
• Meets with internal and external stakeholders to identify information requirements and acquire data needed for initiatives. Consults with departmental, corporate, and area municipal planning staff to monitor benchmarks and indicators.
• Designs and develops departmental data models to support planning policy and development activity requirements. Conducts research to determine methodological approaches; documents models; and creates outputs. Collaborates with other departments to develop multi-departmental data models.
• Uses temporal and spatial analysis methods and tools to analyse data in support of policy development and implementation (e.g., land use analysis, density calculations of population and employment). Performs comparative analysis with indicators published by area municipal, provincial, and federal governments.
• Researches, recommends, and uses tools to create materials to support departmental objectives (e.g., maps, tables, charts, dashboards).
• Synthesizes analytical outputs and materials to produce reports. Creates and contributes to reports for internal and external use (e.g., Council reports, memorandums, website materials) to communicate environmental, economic, demographic, and other planning information.
• Provides input for and maintains departmental components of corporate and multi-departmental datasets. Determines technical requirements to meet evolving data needs. Liaises with ITS to implement technical solutions.
• Conducts quality control and verification to ensure accuracy and integrity of data. Limits distribution, aggregates detailed data, and obtains license agreements from stakeholders, as required.
• Interprets Regional Official Plan (ROP) and Provincial policies, guidelines, and regulations when conducting research studies or preparing technical planning positions.
• Consults with manager on budgetary and financial issues and media requests, and for guidance on technical and policy interpretation in unusual circumstances. Discusses research projects, planning policy issues or unusual information inquiries with other departmental staff.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge and skills are acquired through a 3-year degree or diploma in a related field (e.g., community planning, geography, GIS) plus 2 years of related experience.
• Knowledge of planning theory, empirical research methodologies, quantitative analysis procedures, database design principles, and geographic concepts.
• Knowledge of relevant planning processes and legislation (e.g., Planning Act, Development Charges Act, Environmental Assessment Act, Mineral Aggregates Act, Provincial policies related to municipal planning and political processes). Practical knowledge of the Region and its relevant planning conditions (e.g., ROP).
• Skill interpreting statistical data, development plans, air photos, maps, and electronic images for environmental and land use applications.
• Analytical and problem solving skills to respond to unique data requests, maintain data, and respond to emerging system requirements.
• Communication skills to obtain, clarify, and provide information to stakeholders and respond to public inquiries and data requests; explain planning policies and data in plain language; make presentations; and participate as an effective team member.
• Ability to interpret statistical, policy, and procedure manuals, and understand professional journals, technical manuals, and planning reports and studies.
• Ability to draft technical and standard planning reports, manuals, correspondence, meeting agendas and minutes, and prepare graphs, charts, statistical analyses, and maps to convey complex information.
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office, and current GIS software. Familiarity with current interactive data visualization software, statistics software, and scripting languages.
• Ability to travel within Waterloo Region.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.

The Region of Waterloo is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. We actively encourage applications from diverse groups, including Black, racialized, First Nations, Métis, Inuit individuals, women, people with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and are committed to equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion in the workplace For an accommodation request, please contact us and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs. Alternate formats of this document are available upon request. Please contact the Service First Contact Centre at phone number (519) 575-4400 to request an alternate format, or email [email protected] Please note: candidates will be provided an update on their application. Please check your spam or junk folder occasionally as some candidates have noticed our emails in those folders (Gmail and Hotmail in particular)