Manager, Parks and Forestry

The Municipality of North Cowichan (population 31,900) is located in the beautiful Cowichan Valley on Southern Vancouver Island, between Nanaimo and Victoria. Our communities of Chemainus, Crofton, Maple Bay, and the South End, are home to a multitude of artistic, cultural, and outdoor recreational activities. The Municipality provides a stable and varied work environment, competitive pay, and benefits.

We are looking for a dynamic, people-focused individual for the position of Manager, Parks and Forestry. Our ideal candidate will have a proven track record of successfully fostering strong working relationships with community partners including First Nations, other municipalities and all levels of government agencies while implementing and monitoring the Municipality's objectives as outlined in Council's Strategic Plan and the Parks and Trails Master Plan. This role is ideal for someone with a strong background in parks operations and community engagement, and who can also provide oversight of forestry-related activities within the Municipal Forest Reserve.

Reporting to the Director, Parks and Recreation, this position will require considerable experience providing overall leadership for the development and implementation of improved policies, measures and programs for a municipal Parks and Forestry Department. Effective collaboration with senior management is required and is expected to provide subject matter expertise on all horticultural matters. The Director of Parks and Recreation maintains the title and authority of Municipal Forester for the organization, and will provide oversight of professional forestry-related activities and decisions, ensuring alignment with municipal goals and regulatory requirements.

Key areas of focus for the position will be the planning, operation, maintenance, permitting and public use programming of the following North Cowichan public spaces, while identifying risks and developing mitigation strategies to prevent or minimize environmental impacts :

• Parks and trails;
• Waterfronts;
• natural park areas;
• Sports fields;
• Boulevards and roadway horticulture and arboriculture;
• Community services functions (roadside brushing, mowing and street sweeping) ; and
• Cemeteries.

Required Skills, Qualifications and Abilities :

Assets

A competitive salary and comprehensive benefit package is offered. This position is excluded from union membership.

Candidates being considered will be required to undergo a comprehensive evaluation of skills, qualifications, and abilities. The successful candidate will be required to undergo a police information check.