Planner

Are you someone with strong technical and leadership capabilities?  Do you enjoy building relationships and working collaboratively in a team environment with both internal and external stakeholders? Are you a thought leader, a trusted advisor and a problem solver? If you enjoy entrepreneurship and innovation, this opportunity is for you! As someone with excellent communication skills and business acumen, you will thrive in our fast-paced and agile environment.

Your opportunity  

Dillon Consulting Limited (Dillon) is seeking a Community Planner to join our Yellowknife office to play a pivotal, hands-on role in project delivery and the cultivation of trusted client relationships. The successful candidate will be instrumental in supporting the strategic expansion of the firm’s professional services throughout the North. 

This is an early-career position for someone who thrives on variety, responsibility, and high visibility. The position requires an agile individual capable of seamlessly pivoting between technical delivery, client engagement, and project coordination. While a background in professional planning is preferred, Dillon values initiative and adaptability over specific credentials. The successful candidate is a self-starter motivated by delivering tangible results for Northern communities and is eager to take ownership within a dynamic regional practice.

The successful candidate will join a close-knit team working directly with clients and communities across the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. The role involves a diverse range of projects, offering the opportunity to build long-term relationships with territorial, municipal, federal, and Indigenous clients. This is a high-visibility position rather than a back-office role; the successful candidate will remain closely connected to the work, the clients, and the decision-making process. In addition to their local focus, the individual will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across the firm's nationwide offices, coordinating specialized expertise while maintaining a strong local presence. For the right candidate, this position offers the opportunity to develop broad professional exposure, regional credibility, and a well-rounded career within the North.

Work Arrangement

• This position is in office (at least four days a week) and  based in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.
• Work week is 37.5 hours and may include occasional overtime.
• Travel to remote communities in the North is expected.

What your day will look like

• Assist with assignments including community planning, land use planning, land development, planning approvals, permitting, as well as studies and funding applications. 
• Conduct research and data analysis.
• Prepare reports and presentations.
• Prepare agendas, meeting minutes, and memos. 
• Develop, coordinate and participate in consultations and engagement programs.
• Collaborate with team members across various disciplines to support cohesive project execution.
• Participate in external client meetings. 
• Provide additional support as needed.

Learning & Development 

• Commit to self-development, ongoing learning and professional development
• Contribute to Dillon’s corporate profile through active participation in professional associations and committees

What you will need to succeed

• A degree in Urban or Regional Planning, Geography or a related social science. Equivalent combinations of education and significant relevant experience may also be considered.
• Eligibility for membership with the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) and the Alberta Professional Planners Institute (APPI)
• Possession of a valid driver’s license for the purposes of project related travel.
• Ability to think critically and strategically
• Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills
• Versatile and adaptable with the ability to work in a self-directed, multidisciplinary team setting
• Skills in graphic design and presentation, including: GIS, google sketch-up, PowerPoint and Adobe Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), is considered an asset
• Strong writing skills; proficiency in report and plan writing

• 1 to 3 years of relevant planning experience is preferred; a background in professional consulting is considered an asset.
• Experience conducting or facilitating consultations and engagement programs.
• Experience working with Indigenous communities is considered an asset
• Familiarity with municipal planning policy and legislation, and the land development process

• Familiar with local, Provincial/Territorial and Federal agencies' permitting and approvals processes

Why choose Dillon

Dillon is powered by people who are technically proficient, passionate about socially important projects, and motivated to deliver superior, tangible results. We strive to remain at the forefront of technology and innovation, and are empowered to continually grow and develop. 

We live our core values:

• Achievement: do the work to hit the target;
• Continuous Development: always learning; always adapting; always growing;
• Creativity: discover new possibilities;
• Courage: do the things that matter, especially when it’s hard;
• Inclusiveness: enabling belonging to draw strength from our differences;
• Reliability: words result in actions that build trust;

In addition, we offer:

• Northern Living Allowance
• $7,500 annual northern living allowance for permanent employees in Yellowknife
• Northern Vacation Travel Allowance
• Annual vacation travel allowance for permanent employees in Yellowknife and their dependents

• Employee share purchase plan
• Dillon is 100% employee owned and share ownership is open to all employees.
• A competitive compensation package
• Comprehensive health benefits
• Generous retirement savings plan
• Student loan repayment assistance with matching employer contributions
• Flexible work hours and hybrid working options
• Dillon values its staff and the contributions that are made each day and understands that work arrangements can differ based on personal needs and business needs.  We are taking a trust-based approach to offer a variety of flexible and hybrid work options to help balance the competing demands of work and personal life. 
• Learning and Development opportunities
• As a knowledge-based business, we use a composite approach to development including coaching to build the how, mentoring to share lessons, advising to round out perspectives, and co-creation of knowledge through internal learning opportunities.
• Focus on Innovation
• The ability to anticipate, examine, and adopt new and innovative solutions is a crucial driver for the continual and progressive advancement of our business performance. In our culture, people are empowered to reflect and question current practices and seek forward looking solutions to today’s problems and tomorrow’s opportunities.
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• Employee and Family Assistance program
• A variety of EFAP tools and online resources to support well-being are available to all employees.
• Goodlife Fitness Corporate Membership
• Our employees can take advantage of reduced annual membership fees.
• Wellness Subsidy
• Our employees can take advantage of a wellness subsidy that can be put towards expenses for a variety of health and/or wellness related activities such as gym membership, purchase of home fitness equipment, yoga classes  and dance classes.

Living in Yellowknife

Yellowknife offers a professional and personal experience unlike any other in Canada. As the capital of the Northwest Territories, it provides the amenities of a modern urban center—including a diverse culinary scene and boutique shopping—while maintaining an intimate feel. Residents benefit from a lifestyle where commutes are measured in minutes rather than hours, effectively reclaiming time for personal pursuits and community connection.

The city serves as a gateway to the Great Canadian North, where the wilderness is a literal backyard. The true advantages of Northern living are found in this immediate access to nature; world-class hiking trails, pristine paddling routes, and premier fishing locations are accessible within moments of leaving the office. In the winter, the city transforms into a subarctic playground for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling, all set under a front-row seat to the world’s most spectacular Aurora Borealis. Beyond the landscape, Yellowknife is defined by its people. The successful candidate will join a tight-knit, welcoming community known for its resilience and inclusivity. With a calendar full of cultural festivals—such as the Snowking’s Winter Festival and Folk on the Rocks—and a strong emphasis on work-life balance, the city allows professionals to fully immerse themselves in both a rugged natural environment and a vibrant social scene. Yellowknife is not merely a place to work; it is a community where individuals and families truly thrive.

About Dillon

Dillon is a proudly Canadian, employee-owned, professional consulting firm specializing in planning, engineering, environmental science, and management. We partner with clients to provide committed, collaborative, and inventive solutions to complex, multi-faceted projects. With over 25 offices and more than 1100 employees across Canada, Dillon offers a wide range of services related to building and improving facilities and infrastructure, protecting the environment, and developing communities.

Now operating for over 75 years, we continue to strive for excellence in everything we do. Dillon has been listed as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for 19 years in a row and has the distinction of being a Platinum Club member in this program.

Health & Safety at Dillon

Prospective employees are expected to fully align with Dillon's core commitment to Health & Safety. This includes active, ongoing engagement with our Health & Safety processes and platform, and the active, ongoing identification and reporting of health and safety hazards.

Employment Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at Dillon

Dillon is committed to employment equity and an inclusive, diverse workplace where opportunities are based on skills and abilities. If you require accommodation during the interview process, please let us know. We look forward to hearing from you.

Technology enablement and the use of AI at Dillon

We invest in modern technologies to enable continuous improvement across the organization. Please be advised that Dillon Consulting utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) assisted tools to support parts of our recruitment process to increase efficiency and fairness. While AI supports this process, all hiring decisions are made by our human recruiting team. By applying, you acknowledge and consent to this use.

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