Planner

Application Deadline: 2 October 2026

Department: Architecture & Planning

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Dartmouth, NS

Compensation: CA$80,000 - CA$85,000 / year

Description

Search conducted by Placemaking 4G at p4g.ca on behalf of zzap.

Established in 2018, zzap operates as a strategic design partner, embedding within the workflows of property owners, developers, institutions, and public-sector clients from the earliest stages of site conceptualization. Our work focuses on unlocking site potential while advancing design quality across Atlantic Canada.

zzap’s founders believe that the integration of architecture and planning, grounded in place and supported by meaningful engagement, results in projects that are embraced by the communities they serve. This approach has contributed to a strong and growing reputation across Atlantic Canada in community planning, land development, heritage, and building design.

zzap works across a broad range of project typologies and sectors, including institutional, government, non-profit, commercial, industrial, hospitality, mixed-use, residential, and heritage. Our work spans multiple scales, from strategic planning and policy frameworks to individual buildings and sites, and reflects a commitment to thoughtful, context-driven design responses rooted in place, policy, and long-term viability.

By integrating urban planners and architects within a single practice, zzap simplifies the complex nature of land development, particularly in environments where regulatory frameworks, site constraints, and competing interests intersect. This integrated approach allows us to support clients through complexity,



from early feasibility and entitlement through to detailed design and delivery.

zzap’s work is shaped by community needs and real-world conditions. Whether advancing community planning initiatives, stewarding heritage assets, or delivering current infrastructure and buildings, we bring a consistent focus on design quality, collaboration, and responsible growth.

zzap Values

- Start-to-Finish Care and Respect
- Just Be Honest (Honesty and Trust)
- Bring ’Em to the Table (Collaboration)
- Roll With It (Adaptability)Check Our Egos at the Door (Humility)

This Moment, This Position

At zzap, planning is about understanding how places work, how they could work better, and how thoughtful development can respond to the people, policies, communities, and environments around it.

As zzap continues to grow, we are looking for a Planner who can bring strong planning knowledge, curiosity, sound judgment, and a collaborative approach to a diverse range of projects across Atlantic Canada.

Working alongside zzap’s planners, architects, clients, consultants, municipalities, and community partners, you will contribute to projects from early feasibility and planning analysis through applications, engagement, approvals, and implementation.

This role is well suited to someone who enjoys moving between research and analysis, writing and communication,



coordination, and relationship-building. You will have opportunities to dig into complex planning questions, prepare clear and thoughtful recommendations, work directly with clients and communities, and help keep projects moving from idea to reality.

You will also play an important coordination role within project teams, working closely with Project Leads to understand priorities, anticipate challenges, communicate progress, and ensure the different pieces of a project come together.

If you are energized by the complexity of how communities grow and change, and want to contribute to planning work that is grounded in place, we would love to consider this opportunity.

Planning & Analysis

- Prepare and coordinate planning reports, feasibility studies, zoning and regulatory reviews, and planning applications in support of development proposals.
- Research and interpret municipal planning strategies, land-use by-laws, development regulations, policies, legislation, and other planning frameworks.
- Analyze planning opportunities and constraints and translate complex information into clear, practical recommendations.
- Contribute to the preparation of municipal planning documents, including zoning regulations, comprehensive plans, and development policies.
- Stay current with emerging planning trends, legislation, policy changes, and best practices.

Project Coordination

- Support planning projects from early feasibility and concept development through approvals and implementation.
- Lead projects with multidisciplinary team members to understand project scope, priorities, timelines, and deliver

📌 Planner (Dartmouth)
🏢 Placemaking 4G
📍 Dartmouth