The Planners-in-Training Program
The Planners-in-Training (PIT) program at The City of Calgary provides emerging planners with rotational experience across Planning & Development Services. Through placements in areas such as city-wide and local area policy, implementation planning, and applications and inquiries. PITs gain hands-on municipal planning experience while contributing to The City’s strategic priorities.
The PIT role is an entry-level position designed to build well-rounded planning professionals. Participants support a variety of planning activities, including research, data analysis, application review, and policy development, while receiving mentorship and guidance to develop into well-rounded planning professionals and achieving their Registered Professional Planner (RPP) Designation.
Who is eligible for PIT?
Minimum qualification is a degree in a planning program accredited by the Alberta Professional Planners Institute (APPI) or another Provincial or Territorial Institute or Association (PTIA) representing the Planning profession in Canada. See list of accredited programs here: University Accreditation - Professional Standards Board. No prior planning experience required.
Program key features
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Rotations every 6–8 months across planning specializations.
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Emphasis on learning while contributing to real planning work.
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Mentorship from placement supervisors and a program supervisor.
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Participation in policy projects, development applications, and strategic initiatives.
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Professional development, community engagement, and planning legislation.
Program journey
Rotation one: Implementation
Months one - eight
Month one: orientation and training
- Legislative framework and planning in Calgary
- Operations system training
- Land Use Bylaw training
- Council and committee observation
- Appeal Board observation
Month one: placement in Customer Advisory Services
- Application and inquiries:
- Front counter
- E-services
- Call centre
- Livechat
Months two - eight: placement in Community Planning north/south
- Plans review with mentor
- Detailed review writing - mentor review
- Report writing support
- Community engagement
Rotation two: Policy
Months nine - 16
Months nine - 16: placement in a policy area
- Regional Planning
- Local Area Planning
- City Planning Policy
- Land Use Bylaw
- Growth Strategy
Rotation three: Specialization
Months 17 - 23
Months 17 - 23: placement in a planning specialization
- Downtown Strategy
- Environmental Risk & Resilience
- Urban Design
- Heritage
- Open Spaces Implemantation and Review
Roles and responsibilities
Employees
Employees
- Support planning applications and projects through research, analysis, and summary documentation.
- Assist with policy and strategy development.
- Support public engagement and communications with interested parties.
- Contribute to reports and presentations for leadership and Council.
- Actively pursue professional development and RPP accreditation.
Program supervisor
Program supervisor
- Provide overall program oversight.
- Lead recruitment activities, including interviews, reference checks, and offers.
- Support PIT success through effective onboarding, orientation.
- Coordinate PIT rotations to balance learning outcomes with business needs.
- Maintain regular one‑on‑one conversations to support performance development, career progression, and RPP pathways.
Placement supervisor
Placement supervisor
- Supervise the PIT’s day-to-day work, including HR administrative responsibilities through HCM delegation from Program Supervisor.
- Maintain open communication with the PIT and the Program Supervisor.
- Inform the Program Supervisor of any concerns, changes in supervision or changes to position duties or requirements.
- At the start of each rotation, identify goals and objectives with the Planner-in-Training, provide a clear job description, monitor performance and offer constructive feedback on strengths and areas for improvement.
Reporting stucture
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