Requisition ID: 44535

Organization

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and engaging workplace. Working at the City of Vancouver and within the public service can be a rewarding career where you play a key role in ensuring impartial and equitable access to services, upholding ethical governance, and addressing the needs of citizens with integrity and dedication.

Main Purpose and Function

This role is responsible for leading and developing a wide variety of public art projects and programs; public art planning, policy development and administrative duties, including preparing reports and documents as required for program operations. The Social Planner I will plan public art processes in consultation with Civic departments; develop public art plans; oversee and advise private sector public art delivery, initiate and manage public art projects from artist call to documentation. The Social Planner I may be assigned extensive research assignments and will be influential in developing and implementing new policies and programs.

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. The City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to UNDRIP, Culture|Shift, and Equity Framework.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversees and administers public art for private development, oversees contracting and development planning, pooling agreements, Public Art Committee presentations, and revises policy as needed

• Monitors Civic planning processes to assess the public art potential of new Civic developments, buildings or infrastructure projects

• Creates public art plans for Civic planning and development projects, ensuring departmental and community consultation and liaison

• Works with the wider Public Art team and partners to embed an equity and reconciliation lens in all aspects of work where able

• Works with wider COV Public Art team to initiate artist calls and manages artist selection processes using an equity and reconciliation lens, including through Calls for Artist-Initiated Proposals

• Leads or supports reviews of standard artists and consultant contracts and commissioning policies and procedures to align with City policy frameworks and best practices in the field

• Oversees art project fabrication, installation, dedication, documentation, registration and maintenance

• Maintains liaison as needed with artists, consultants, developers, Civic departmental staff and others

• Develops, implements and evaluates policies and programs relating to public art, prepare related reports and meet with officials of other City Departments such as Planning, Parks, and Engineering Services

• Drafts and presents reports to Public Art Committee, City Council, and other bodies; makes presentations and answer questions at Council and public meetings, answer public and media inquiries and correspond with the public, other Civic and outside agencies.

• Supports Planner III on capital planning, budgets, reconciliation of accounts and reserve balances.

• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• University graduation, preferably at a Masters level in Fine Arts or Cultural Planning sector, with considerable related experience, or a combination of education and relevant experience

• Demonstrated administrative experience working with Municipal or other levels of government public art programs

• Demonstrated experience in concluding complex planning processes in the public sector; thorough knowledge of contemporary public art planning and development issues

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of public art resources, including artists, art institutions, educational institutions, and other infrastructure supports.
  Extensive knowledge of Civic Governmental structure, Civic development processes, and private sector development matters.

• Demonstrated strength in project management, including project charters, work plans, contracting, procurement, budgeting, and timelines.

• Knowledge, experience and ability to apply core equity lenses to all work responsibilities, as appropriate: Indigenous Rights, Racial Justice, Intersectionality and Systems Orientation.

• Strong relationships and experience working with First Nations, with a preference for xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and urban Indigenous peoples and equity deserving communities.

• Knowledge of and experience working to advance the rights enumerated in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

• Ability to synthesize information, support prioritization, and balance the diverse interests of communities and partners while applying ethics of care principles to advance work in relational and effective ways.

• Ability to supervise the work of cultural planners, other staff, and consultants.

• Ability to communicate effectively with elected representatives, appointed officials, and the public, orally and in writing.

• Excellent ability to work within a team environment and within defined timelines.

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work a hybrid work week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite. At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

Business Unit/Department: Arts, Culture and Community Services (1200)

Affiliation: CUPE 15 Non Pks

Employment Type: Temporary Full Time

Position Start Date: November, 2025

Position End Date: November, 2026

Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-029: $51.70 to $61.13 per hour

Application Close: October 1, 2025

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process.Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Apply now

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In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx. 5-10 minutes. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a summary of skills and experience related to the position.