Town of Saugeen Shores

Planning Student

Closing date: April 16, 2026

Port Elgin, Ontario

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Posted: April 2, 2026

Position Type: Temporary, Full-Time

Anticipated Contract Start/End Date: May 4, 2026 to September 4, 2026

Location: Port Elgin, ON

Vacancies: 1

Hours: 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Hourly Wage: $21.60 to $22.60 per hour

Saugeen Shores: Both city and town, wrapped in a village.

Choosing to work and live in Saugeen Shores gives you an unparalleled choice of easy-going lifestyles, economic opportunities, and nature at every turn. You can truly create your own village in this growing, diverse community of neighborhoods and amenities. Replace long commutes with easy lakeshore rides, and choose to be as active or relaxed as you want to be. Make all these great choices without sacrificing family life, schools, and even access to the wide world. Nestled on the shores of Lake Huron with forests and farms all around, Saugeen Shores is the promise of both cities and towns, wrapped in a village.

The Team:

We take our team-first culture so seriously that we wrote a Team Saugeen Charter to celebrate and protect it. Our shared role is to keep Saugeen Shores safe, well-serviced, growing, and vibrant in ways that respect the public and reflect our members. We develop careers from the inside first, engage each other personally and professionally, welcome change, and embrace new ideas. We do more than live with work processes; we seek to continuously improve them. And we have each other's backs—because that is what great teams do.

Join Us:

As a summer student, you'll have the opportunity to experience all that Saugeen Shores has to offer while contributing to our vibrant community. Whether you're looking to gain valuable work experience, enjoy the natural beauty of Lake Huron, or be part of a supportive and dynamic team, Saugeen Shores is the place for you. Apply now and start your journey with us!

About the Role:

Reporting to the Manager, Planning and Development, the Planning Student assists with coordinating and administering the planning and development process in Saugeen Shores by conducting comprehensive research, reviewing planning applications analyzing data, drafting correspondence and agreements. The Student Planner assists with various special projects and initiatives and supports the Development Services Officer as a liaison between the Town and developers, County of Bruce and other outside agencies.

What You'll Do:

Conduct research to support responses to all types of development inquiries by gathering background information from planning legislation, municipal policies, zoning regulations, historical files, and GIS data. Assist in preparing summary notes or briefing materials to help staff provide accurate and timely responses to developers, residents, consultants, and other stakeholders.
Assist with coordinating Town responses to planning applications (draft plan of subdivisions, severance, variances, zoning by-law amendments, official plan amendments) by circulating to internal departments and preparing comment letters
Prepare draft agreements by inserting application specific information, verifying legal descriptions, and assisting staff in reviewing agreement components to ensure accuracy and compliance with planning approvals.Assists with providing planning advice by preparing background materials, summarizing regulations, and helping respond to preliminary inquiries under the direction of senior staff.
Assist with reviewing Council Reports prepared by the County/consultant by checking for accuracy, identifying items that affect the Town, and preparing notes or recommendations for senior staff.
Assist with reviewing presentations prepared by the County/consultant by examining content for accuracy, clarity, and consistency with Town planning priorities.
Assist with performing Planning Review on Site Plan applications, including checking compliance with Zoning By-law, Official Plan, design guidelines, and technical requirements. Summarizes findings and prepared preliminary notes.
Support the coordination of the Site Plan application process and preparation of draft agreements by assisting with circulation, collecting departmental comments, and organizing documentation required for agreement preparation.
Assist with general file management for all development applications by organizing digital records, ensuring consistent name conventions, maintaining version control, and preparing files for archival or submission.
Assist with Open Houses or Public Information Centres for policy projects by taking care of facility logistics and drafting notices.
Support policy development projects by conducting background research and compiling data analysis and summaries
Undertake analysis of existing policies or regulations under review for updates by researching provincial resources and comparing policies, regulations in similar municipalities

Education/Specialized Training/Knowledge:

Must be enrolled in a diploma, degree, post-grad certificate or trade program; enrollment in Planning or a related program is considered an asset.
Strong computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office Suite
Comfortable with self-direction as well as working in a team environment
Flexible, ability to balance a variety of job tasks
Familiarity with Planning Act, Provincial Policy Statement, Official Plans, Zoning By-Laws

Skills and competencies you bring to the role:

Adaptability: You can adapt efficiently and effectively in response to new processes and changing circumstances.
Attention to Detail: You have strong attention to detail by exhibiting thoroughness and accuracy in accomplishing a task. You are highly organized and can process detailed information effectively and consistently.
Analytical: You can collect and analyze information and apply logic and rationale when solving problems and making decisions.
Communication: You have proven ability to communicate technical and complex information successfully and confidently both verbally and in writing.
Interpersonal Skills: You exhibit strong interpersonal skills that allow one to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
Teamwork: Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with a variety of internal and external stakeholders
Resourcefulness: You demonstrate a personal orientation toward action. You have excellent time management skills and can work autonomously and seek out resources independently with limited direction.

Application Process:

If you’re interested in joining our team, click the “Apply Now” at the top and/or bottom of the job posting to start the application process by the posting closing date. We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. 

The Town of Saugeen Shores is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes and work environments. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We will accommodate the needs of applicants under the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). The Town of Saugeen Shores will make every effort to accommodate applicants with disabilities in its recruitment and selection process. Information received relating to accommodation needs of applicants will be addressed confidentially in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990 and will be used for the purpose of this employment opportunity only.

If you require an accommodation to submit your resume for an employment opportunity, or for more information on accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact the Human Resources Coordinator at jobs@saugeenshores.ca or by phone at 519-832-2008 x.161.

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