Manager, Parks & Open Space

The Manager of Parks and Open Space is responsible for the delivery of park and open space services while working within the constraints of City Policies and approved operating budgets of $70 million and capital budgets of up to $24 million including 374 FTE's.

The Division is responsible for the operation and maintenance of parks and park facilities, natural areas and urban forests. Services include support for park planning and development; including renewal of park infrastructure, environmental education and interpretation, natural areas management, tree disease and integrated pest management, forestry and naturalist consulting services, as well as downtown and special event support.

As the Manager of Parks and Open Space , you will:

Provide overall leadership and direction for all aspects of the Parks & Open Space Division service delivery, ensuring the assessment of community needs and trends to improve services.

Represent the Division/Department to the CAO, CFO, Mayor/Councillors, Standing Policy Committee, and Community Committee to resolve complex matters, concerns, major issues, and requests.

Establish and ensure compliance with safety/environmental management programs and regulations, and act in accordance with Collective Agreements, By-laws, policies, and Federal and Provincial regulations.

Lead the strategic planning, budgeting and financial management of the Division's assets.

Manage the Division's Human Resources.

Establish on-going development of divisional risk management policies and practices.

Your education and qualifications include:

Bachelor's Degree in one of the following: Recreational Management, Urban Forestry, Environmental Science/Environmental Management, Natural Resource Management, Landscape Architecture, Urban/Regional Planning, Civil Engineering (with parks, infrastructure municipal focus), or Public Administration.

Extensive progressively responsible experience in parks management, natural areas management, urban forestry, or operational leadership within land-based or environmental services; equivalent experience in facilities management, asset management, capital planning, or program delivery may be considered.

Experience in research, planning, implementation, policy development, and management and delivery of operational maintenance services.

Experience in financial management of operating and capital budget development, monitoring systems and analysis.

Experience leading, directing and managing a dynamic and diverse group of professionals and technical employees, preferably in a unionized environment.

Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to create innovative solutions to complex issues and problems.

Excellent conflict resolution and negotiation skills to move issues forward in difficult or contentious situations with the unions, internal and external stakeholders and elected officials.

Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with a wide variety of people including staff, senior management, internal and external stakeholders, and elected officials.

Excellent verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate and facilitate discussions and deliver presentations and information on challenging issues to all levels of the organization.

Excellent written communication skills with the ability to write accurate and thorough reports for executive leadership decision-making.

Strong knowledge of Workplace Health and Safety Act and regulations and how they apply in the workplace.

Strong political acumen with the ability to work in a political and public sector management environment.

*IMPORTANT : Applicants who have been educated outside of Canada must have education which is comparable to the minimum qualification in Canada. Applicants submitting foreign credentials require an official academic assessment report issued by a recognized Canadian assessment service https://www.canalliance.org/en/ at application.

Conditions of employment:

The successful applicant must maintain legal eligibility to work in Canada. If the successful applicant possesses a work permit, it is their responsibility to ensure the permit remains valid.

Must possess and maintain a valid Manitoba Class 5 Driver's License.

Satisfactory completion of a Police Information Check at the candidate's expense.

The successful applicant is required to provide a vehicle for transportation while on City business, subject to the terms and conditions of the City of Winnipeg Transportation Policy.