Manager, Urban Park Operations (on-site)

SUMMARY

The Manager, Park Operations and Surface Areas ensures that the Crown Corporation client owned parkland, exterior green spaces of tenanted buildings, forests, trails, orchard, park amenities, storm management ponds / systems, roadways, parking areas, sidewalks and curbs are managed, operated and maintained in a sustainable, safe, functional, and esthetically pleasing manner, that is also cost effective.

This role will set standards for best-in-class levels and methods of maintaining and operating the previously listed areas and make recommendations for capital repairs and improvements.

This job is accountable for the management, financial performance, and operational enhancement of the noted areas by utilizing in house staff, contractors and consultants.

On-site at Downsview Park.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership : Demonstrates strong and competent leadership to achieve corporate goals, guiding team members to reach their full potential through coaching, performance management, and ongoing training.

Health & Safety : Has a working knowledge of industry standards and safety guidelines, WHMIS, OHS Act, and AODA. Takes a leadership role as Safety Officer, ensuring all team members are equipped with necessary training and PPE for their roles.

Keeps abreast of and ensures compliance with current health and safety legislation, developing plans and procedures to minimize risks.

Investigates and reports incidents, accidents, complaints, and cases of ill health within the department.

Financial Accountability : Develops and administers the annual budgets for the park lands, exterior common area green spaces and infrastructure and associated capital expenditures.

Manages funds effectively, identifies variances, and recommends solutions. Participates in regular financial review meetings with internal teams and clients as needed.

Park Maintenance : Manages maintenance operations including park amenities (. playground, exercise equipment, park benches and picnic tables), signage landscaping, forestry, horticulture, wildlife preservation, general upkeep of all green spaces (including exterior areas of tenanted buildings), invasive species management, stormwater management, gardens, and oversight of landscaping, litter and winter maintenance contracts.

facilitates and oversees the installation and removal schedule of the parks seasonal décor inclusive but not restricted to, holiday installations and the rotating change of banners throughout Downsview Park).

This may include procuring and overseeing external service providers in order to fulfill maintenance requirements and achieve goals.

Sustainability : Has a working knowledge of best green and sustainable practices. Assists client in achieving their ESG goals and reducing carbon emissions.

Makes suggestions on how park operations can be more sustainable.

Planning / Development / Implementation : Plans future park development in collaboration with Client, ensuring sustainable solutions for long-term maintenance and park viability.

Structures the park team plan to ensure sustainability.

Client Interaction : Provides expertise in assisting Client with park-related projects, taking into account Client’s mandate, policies and procedures, mandate and strategic priorities.

Assists client’s educational team by procuring materials and providing staff support for community programs and stewardship opportunities (.

tree planting events). Assists client’s events team by providing maintenance support for annual community events (. Canada Day, Earth Day, Movies Under the Stars, Howl-o-ween Unleashed and, tree planting events).

Attends weekly meetings with client.

Record Maintenance : Develops the park operations plan and documents processes to maintain required maintenance records for inventory of plantings and trees, vehicles, pesticides, snow removal / salting, financial records and other documentation as required.

Conducts regular documented inspections to ensure grounds and park amenities are safe, being properly maintained, and staff are performing assigned tasks.

Customer Service : Proactive and strategic customer service focused approach to Client, community, and internal stakeholders with a focus on collaborative approaches.

Project Management : Experience in the delivery of small and larger scale landscaping projects utilizing knowledge of project management completion of courses or certification an asset.

Strategic Management : Enhances Park operations and delivers new initiatives using new and existing strategies to achieve client goals and objectives.

Leadership : Demonstrates strong competent leadership to achieve our corporate goals and guide team members in reaching their full potential and meeting their objectives through coaching, performance management and ongoing training.

Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

• Post Secondary Degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering, Horticulture, Landscape Architecture or related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience with high visibility locations, preferably in parkland or related property.
• Previous experience and demonstrated ability to effectively oversee, manage, coach, and mentor a team of people, and the communication skills required to enable team members to achieve high-quality outcomes.
• Experience in facility and trails management as well as horticulture, arboriculture, turf management and landscaping.
• Sound, practical knowledge of related legislation, policies, procedures, directives, and guidelines affecting municipal parks, recreation and trails.
• Thorough knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Ontario Pesticides Act, Ontario Highway Traffic Act.
• Knowledge of invasive species and best practices for their management and removal. Required. Pesticide sprayers application license beneficial.
• Significant knowledge of native plant species.
• Demonstrated ability to implement a continuous improvement approach to developing and deploying best practices, policies and procedures.
• A well-defined sense of diplomacy, including solid negotiation, conflict resolution, and people management skills with outstanding ability to work effectively and efficiently with internal and external clients at all levels of management.
• Sound analytical thinking, planning, prioritization, and execution skill
• A valid Ontario Driver’s license with a clean abstract
• Experience in working at heights.
• Demonstrated ability for working in a busy environment with frequent interruptions.
• Combination of office-based work, as well as field supervision
• Demonstrated understanding of customer needs to ensure strong communications with both internal and external customers.
• Ability to verbally communicate in both official languages preferred, but not required.
• Financial acumen including financial knowledge and experience as it relates to developing and implementing annual operating budgets and 5-year capital plans and completing monthly variance reporting.
• Experience with obtaining quotes for work, participating in procurement processes, including preparing Requests for Proposals and contracts, evaluating quotes / proposals, making contract award recommendation, and administering contract required.

Licenses and / or Professional Accreditation

Red Seal Landscape Horticulturist preferred.

BGIS is an equal opportunity employer and we welcome you to apply for a position with us! If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact us at askHR.

Upon request for accommodation, we will consult with the applicant in question and provide, or arrange for the provision of, a suitable accommodation in a manner that takes into account the applicant’s accessibility needs due to disability.

BGIS est un employeur qui respecte l'égalité des chances et nous vous invitons à postuler pour un poste chez nous ! Si vous avez besoin d'un accommodement pendant le processus de recrutement, veuillez nous contacter à askHR.

En cas de demande d'accommodement, nous discuterons avec le candidat en question et fournirons, ou ferons en sorte de fournir, un accommodement approprié d'une manière qui tiendra compte des besoins d'accessibilité du candidat en fonction de son handicap.