Get to Know Us and What We Do

OUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE CITY OF EDMONTON

"I've been with the City for 20 years, and I've stayed because I have had opportunities during that time to change positions, functional responsibilities and roles."
—Peter Millar, Director of Parks and Resource Management

"I have been employed by the City for just over eight years, and have worked in a number of different areas, including Downtown, Subdivision and Bylaws and South Unit."
—Kim Petrin, Principal Planner

"I've worked with the City for ten years. I've had opportunities to go elsewhere, but I have chosen to stay and I'm happy with my decision."
—Erik Backstrom, Senior Planner

"I've been with the City of Edmonton for three and a half years. Over this time, Edmonton experienced a major construction and population boom. Recruiters often approached me to join private planning firms but I've stayed with Edmonton because it was always the best career option."
—Kalen Andersen, Principal Planner

"I have worked with the City for two years. I was hired as a Planning Technician and worked with the Development Compliance Branch for three months. I then moved to a position where I worked directly with Planners on projects in the downtown core."
—Brian Murray, Planner

"I have spent 25 years—most of my career—with the City of Edmonton. I Initially was employed as a Traffic Checker in the Transportation Systems Design Department. Within six months, I applied for and became a Transportation Planning Manager Officer I. I stayed in that capacity for two years."
—Bob Priebe, Director of Parks Planning

THE WORK THAT WE DO

"As a Planner, my main responsibility is to process and review land-development applications for re-zonings, plan amendments, and subdivisions. In addition, I negotiate on behalf of the City on major land-development applications within the central area, make presentations to community groups, stakeholders and internal departments. I also advise the developmental community and general public on matters pertaining to provincial legislation, statutory and non-statutory plans, and general planning-related matters."
—Brian Murray, Planner

"I manage a planning team that manages city-initiated land-use planning in Edmonton's mature neighbourhoods. We monitor change, such as development, pressure, infrastructure investment, and demographic shifts, in established communities. As directed by City Council, we prepare plans where area-specific land-use regulation is needed."
—Erik Backstrom, Senior Planner

"The section I am responsible for is a collection of administrative and organizational support functions for the rest of the sections within the Parks Branch. I'm involved with the administrative side of things that include budget coordination, strategic planning, special projects and IT support."
—Peter Millar, Director of Parks and Resource Management

"I am a Principal Planner in the South East Planning Unit. My job is to review and process development proposals/applications for statutory planning approvals, such as subdivision, rezoning, and plan amendments. In addition, I provide professional planning and advisory services on land-use matters to the public, the development industry, and other departments."
—Kim Agar, Principal Planner

"I am currently working as a Planner II within the Growth Analysis Unit of the Planning & Policy Branch. In this role, I am mainly responsible for residential land-development monitoring, socio-economic analysis and forecasting, policy development and strategic planning. I have had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects, from small streetscape improvement initiatives to the development of long-range citywide policy in a multidisciplinary environment."
—Kalen Andersen, Principal Planner

"I am the Director of Parks Planning. I have three sub-units in my section. The Land Unit works with the development industry in the land-development process to identify new land requirements for parks. The Project Unit works with communities through the Parkland Change Process. The Strategic/Policy Unit develops and refines policies, guidelines and procedures."
—Bob Priebe, Director of Parks Planning

THE CULTURE OF PLANNING AT THE CITY

"The culture for a public institution is that of working for the citizens of today and tomorrow. The public expects that tax dollars are being spent on the right things and that there is some sense of consistency and longevity. We apply businesslike approaches, but not in the same way as private-sector firms. You must take a procedural approach, which takes a lot of teamwork. When all the right folks are on the same page, there can be tremendous advancement and change."
—Peter Millar, Director of Parks and Resource Management

"The City of Edmonton fosters a long-term commitment to and from its employees. More people have worked for the City for their entire career than I have ever encountered, and that's a very positive sign."
—Kalen Andersen, Principal Planner

"The culture of the City is very friendly and welcoming. Many of the people I work with are similar in age, but have a variety of educational backgrounds. If I had to describe us, I would say Planners at the City are energetic, innovative and proactive."
—Brian Murray, Planner

"The City attempts to ensure that staff are challenged with a reasonable workload and maintain effective communication. Supervisors are supportive of your goals and ambitions, and your efforts are often recognized. The City encourages continuous learning, which is a major plus."
—Kim Agar, Principal Planner

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVANCEMENT WITHIN THE CITY

"The work is challenging and stimulating, the workplace environment is healthy, the pay is fair, the office location (an important thing for a City Planner) is excellent, and Edmonton is a great place to raise children. Plus, I have good opportunities for advancement. Why would I go anywhere else?"
—Erik Backstrom, Senior Planner

"I've stayed with the City for more than two decades because I've had so many chances to learn and explore new roles. It's similar to having different jobs and experience in the private sector, but without having to change employers. There is no need to look outside the City of Edmonton for a rewarding career."
—Peter Millar, Director of Parks and Resource Management

"I applied to the Parks and Recreation Department in November of 1985, and have been employed in a park-planning capacity since that time. I have progressed from Planning Technician to Planner I to Planner II. Along the way, my work has included community planning, land planning, budget planning, natural-area planning and policy planning."
—Bob Priebe, Director of Parks Planning

THE MOST REWARDING PART OF A CAREER HERE

"The most rewarding aspects of my career relate to progressive changes that I have helped bring about. Whether facilitating a rezoning for a major transit-oriented development or adding a walkway to the design of a new subdivision, there are things I can point to and say, 'I helped to improve the City here.'"
—Erik Backstrom, Senior Planner

"I enjoy the professional experience that I've gained since joining the City of Edmonton. I helped negotiate a better-designed and pedestrian-friendly environment within the downtown area. Also, I am the Planning and Development Department's representative on Edmonton's Next Gen Committee, and have had the privilege of contributing to the new Downtown Plan, which provides policy and direction for planning and development within downtown Edmonton for the next 10 years."
—Brian Murray, Planner

"The most rewarding thing about working for the City, from a professional perspective, has been the depth of understanding I've gained about how a big city works. This includes the types of issues our community has to plan for both today and in the future, and the interconnectedness of the impact that civic decision-making has across a wide range of community issues. My most rewarding personal moments have been when my research, analysis and professional opinion are used to influence key decisions on major planning issues."
—Kalen Anderson, Principal Planner

"I enjoy seeing a project being constructed and completed and knowing that I've had an influence on it from the very start of the process. My professional highlights include working with various community groups and developers to accomplish important objectives. On a personal level, I value the long-term friendships that I've formed with my co-workers."
—Kim Agar, Principal Planner

"My most valued experience with the City to this point has been my work in natural-area planning. Natural-area preservation was once a low priority on the list of things to address. I worked with community folks and organizations on projects that have ultimately spawned a dedicated office for natural-area conservation and a supportive $20 million budget for acquisition. While subsequent Planners have developed the office and the budget strategy, I feel that, with the support of my senior managers, I was a catalyst for very positive change regarding corporate policies."
—Bob Priebe, Director of Parks Planning

"I have most enjoyed being faced with challenges, getting the job done, and finding solutions that people like. Planning is all about problem-solving and I get great satisfaction from doing work that helps others to solve their problems and do their jobs well. The ability to help support other branches of the City is also important to me, as is being a part of a larger organization that has a lot to be proud of."
—Peter Millar, Director of Parks and Resource Management