Job Category: Policy, Planning &

• Research Parks &

• Recreation , PR Policy &

• Strategic Planning Job Type &

• Duration: Full-time, 2 Permanent Vacancies Posting Period: 30-SEPT-2026 to 14-OCT-2026 Toronto Parks and Recreation (P&R;) provides exceptional services that contribute to the quality of life of all Torontonians. We envision a vibrant city with safe, welcoming and well-maintained parks and trails, along with high-quality recreation facilities, programs and services that support diverse needs, active lifestyles and healthy communities. The Policy and Strategic Planning (PSP) Branch serves as Parks and Recreation's centre of excellence for policy development, strategic planning, community engagement, research and evaluation. PSP supports informed decision-making by leading complex policy and planning initiatives, conducting research and analysis, developing engagement approaches, and advancing divisional, corporate and Council priorities. As a successful Policy Development Officer, reporting to the Manager, Policy Development in the Policy and Strategic Planning Branch of Parks and Recreation, you thrive in complexity. You can research and analyze emerging issues, develop evidence-based recommendations, build alignment among diverse stakeholders and lead projects from concept through implementation.

Policy Development: Research, Analysis and Reporting Develops and delivers system-level and evidence-based policies, procedures, and projects for P&R; Division in alignment with corporate and divisional priorities assessing risks, implications, trade-offs and feasibility. Prepare high-quality Council reports, briefing notes, policy reports, recommendations and other decision-support materials. Monitors other orders of government and non-government organizations, academic and research bodies and local communities to ensure ongoing awareness of existing and evolving issues and concerns related to the needs of Toronto's residents and PR strategic objectives.

Conduct jurisdictional scans,



environmental scans and best-practice reviews to identify opportunities, risks and emerging approaches that inform policy development and decision-making. Develop outcomes, targets, performance measures and evaluation approaches to support evidence-based decision-making and continuous improvement. Analyze legislation, government policy and municipal decision-making processes to identify policy considerations, opportunities and impacts for the Division.

Apply reconciliation, equity, anti-racism and anti-oppression principles to policy development, engagement and decision-making.

Project Management

Convenes and leads multi-stakeholder teams, often without direct authority, to successfully complete and deliver complex research, analysis, consultation and policy development products, using effective negotiation, collaboration, coaching and influencing skills. Leads complex projects from conception through implementation, ensuring strategic alignment and successful delivery. Establishes project objectives, scope, deliverables, timelines and evaluation approaches.

Develops implementation plans, operational guidance, evaluation approaches and continuous improvement processes that support effective delivery throughout the project lifecycle. Identifies operational, policy, program and resource gaps and develop practical solutions to address them. Manages a diverse portfolio of policy files, balancing competing priorities and working independently on complex assignments while exercising sound judgement in a fast-paced and politically sensitive environment.

Relationship

Building and Communication Stewards,



leads or coordinates PR's role in strategic corporate initiatives. Cultivates solid relationships and represent the Division by providing policy expertise at project, consultation and partnership meetings across the City of Toronto, ensuring policy development is informed by stakeholder perspectives and community needs. Designs and leads engagement, consultation and collaboration processes that inform policy and program development.

Prepares accurate, high-quality presentations, correspondence, reports and communication materials tailored to senior leaders, decision-makers and stakeholders. Presents analysis, recommendations and options in a manner that supports informed decision-making. Post-secondary education in a related discipline (e.g. social sciences, urban design/planning, public policy/public administration) or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Extensive project management experience, stewarding complex initiatives from inception through to implementation with minimal direction while balancing political, community and other stakeholder interests, and resolving conflicts. Considerable experience in strategy development and policy design, ability to advance knowledge translation between research, policy and operations. Considerable experience using evidence to support policy development. proven ability to generate creative solutions to complex operational, policy and evaluation problems.

Strong knowledge of some or all of the following: equity, diversity and inclusion issues; reconciliation; environmental resilience and sustainability; community development; recreation service system planning; parks design or planning. Equity, Diversity and Inclusion The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity . #

📌 POLICY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER P&R (Toronto)
🏢 City of Toronto
📍 Toronto