New Job General Manager Of Community Services In British Columbia

General Manager of Community Services

DEPARTMENT: Community Services
POSTING DATE: February 10, 2023
CLOSING DATE: Until filled
SALARY: $144,307.80
COMPETITION NO.: 2023-20
HOURS OF WORK: 35 hours per week

Are you passionate about providing first class services to the community? The City of Dawson Creek is looking for a community-minded, motivated, strategic professional who shares the same passion, drive and determination as our already exceptional senior management team to join us as the General Manager of Community Services.

Our Community: So how do our 13,000 residents describe Dawson Creek? First and foremost, a warm and welcoming community that is lots of fun! Located in sunny Northeast British Columbia, our community has an amazing quality of life with something for everyone. For the arts and culture enthusiasts there is the iconic Calvin Kruk Centre for the Arts and the Dawson Creek Art Gallery. The South Peace Community Multiplex houses three incredible facilities: The Ovintiv Events Centre which has hosted a multitude of world-class events ranging from the Under 17 World Hockey Challenge to big name shows such as KISS, Russell Peters and Luke Bryan; the Lakota Agri-plex, an impressive equestrian centre; and the Kenn Borek Aquatic Centre that has an 8-lane lap pool, a leisure pool, sauna, steam room, hot tub and even a climbing wall. There are also two ice arenas, a curling rink, numerous outdoor walking trails and multiple sports fields. And then there are the quadding, snowmobiling, boating, skiing, hiking, fishing and golfing opportunities. Dawson Creek has great public and private schools, a top-notch college, and a local hospital with transportation services for special medical needs. With an airport three minutes from downtown, you can find direct flights to Calgary and quick connections to Vancouver if you ever feel the need to get away. But why would you when you are enjoying our crisp, sunny winters (winter precipitation totals around 25 mm/month) or our almost unlimited daily summer sunshine of up to 17.5 hours.

The Opportunity: Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, the General Manager of Community Services provides leadership and direction for the planning, organization and direction of the Community Services Department including recreation, tourism, parks and facilities. This position is responsible to provide strong and effective leadership to the Community Services staff, ensures that recreation programs and services are designed, built and operated in a professional, safe and cost-efficient manner, and provides opportunities for the public to participate in recreation services.

We are looking for a highly-motivated, operationally-minded, and enterprising individual to lead our Community Services Department. This exempt position will be of interest to candidates who have strong initiative, coupled with the ability to stay focused on results despite changing conditions. A leadership style that is firm and goal oriented, and yet motivates, trains, and engages others in an enthusiastic way is important. The emphasis on building rapport and relationships with individuals and groups requires an outgoing, poised and persuasive communication style. Because the pace of the work is faster than average, the ability to learn quickly and thoroughly while continually recognizing and adapting to changing conditions is critical. This position will suit an energetic individual who is educated, experienced and dynamic in leading, training and operations. Key work examples in this role include:

• Oversees the development and operations of the department.
• Establish and prioritize overall department goals and objectives; prepare and administer annual capital and operating budgets and process revenues and expenditures in accordance with City policies; annually evaluate the adequacy of service/ processing fees/charges and recommend changes to Council. Develop, implement, and monitor long-term plans, goals, and objectives focused on achieving the City’s mission and council priorities.
• In the event of an emergency, this position will be a key member of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).
• May be selected to be a member of the Labour-Management Committee, Joint Job Evaluation Committee, Safety Committee or other Labour Relations activities.
• Administers the Department in conformity with the strategic direction, corporate policy and relevant statutes, bylaws and resolutions. Ensures that policies and programs adopted by City Council and/or the CAO are communicated to managers and employees.
• Prepares complex and technical reports for Council.
• Responsible for direction and control related to the preparation of the annual capital, operating and staffing budgets for the Department; takes timely action to address budget, cost control and service performance issues. Providing leadership in the assessment of long-term operating, maintenance and capital improvement requirements of parks, recreation facilities, and other Community Services infrastructure in order to meet long-term growth strategy.
• Provides information to Council, staff, media and the general public concerning existing and proposed policies, practices and programs of the City. Supports a high level of departmental and cross- departmental communication as well as maintains effective contact with City unions and external stakeholders. Ensures responsiveness to public inquiries and service demands.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of department policies, programs and resources and established objectives.
• Builds and maintains courteous and positive relationships with employees.
• Ensures that internal and external issues or opportunities are identified, addressed and monitored appropriately and positively.
• Provide community leadership in bridging community resources together.
• Setting and maintaining high standards in customer service to promote an inclusive experience for all customers.
• Advise the Chief Administrative Officer of any activity or legislation that may have an effect on the delivery of leisure services. Keeping abreast of emerging trends within areas of interest to the Branch, and of changes and developments within the province, and public and private sectors.
• Oversee OVG360 Management Contact– budget, capital, and operation of the facility. Meets with the GM on a monthly basis. Concerts are currently being approved by the CAO – previously approved concerts and brought concerns to CAO.
• The position works with community to partner with Sport Tourism Events such as Hockey Canada, Play on Canada. Works with host committees as the City Liaison.
• Also responsibly for the City Lessees with Community Groups. (DC Curling Rink, KPAC, DC Art Gallery, Lakota, DCEA, MOPS, South Peace Historical Society)

Requirements:

• A degree in a community services-related discipline such as planning or recreation Administration or recreation management, ideally supplemented by completion of post-secondary education in public administration or business administration. Degree in a related Recreation Management or Resource Management discipline.
• Minimum of five (5) years of management experience in a municipal recreation setting. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Good knowledge of the statutes, bylaws, regulations and policies, particularly affecting recreation services.
• Considerable experience in management of staff, preferably in a unionized environment.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, presentation, facilitation, problem solving, decision making, leadership, and general management skills. Excellent verbal and written communication skills including strong public presentation skills and experience in facilitating community development and public process; and the ability to write concise and complex reports.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and a high level of trust and respect across the organization.
• The ability to effectively lead, coach and motivated staff in a team setting. Collaborative and approachable with the ability to mentor, develop and motivate staff to achieve optimal performance in a team environment.
• Ability to deal effectively with representatives of government, business and development, the general public, City staff, and Council members. Able to successfully navigate politically sensitive situations, encourage consensus and achieve organizational results.
• Ability to acquire and retain knowledge/understanding through study, instruction or experience. Ability to analyze complex data to identify and resolve problems. Advanced research, analytical and problem solving skills, with an ability to interpret emerging issues, and lead strategic planning initiatives as an integral part of a dynamic senior management team.
• Ability to emphasize corporate values, mission and long-term goals rather than short-term objectives or perspectives. An understanding of the strategic direction of the City.
• A strategic thinker and visionary with demonstrated leadership, problem solving and conflict resolution skills. Ability to set objectives which are realistic but aggressive.
• Proven ability managing revenues and/or expenses in accordance with budgets; estimating future possibilities, managing revenue/expense controls, and providing informed analyses.
• Ability to interpret, explain and implement organization and departmental policies, procedures, guidelines and programs; working within the spirit and the intent of policy for the organization's success.
• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite.
• Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s licence.
• Successful completion of a criminal record check with vulnerable sector.

Resume review will begin on February 24, 2023. A job description is available upon request.

Candidates should submit a résumé by emailing a pdf or word document to [email protected], with the job posting name and number in the subject line, by midnight on the closing date referenced above. The City thanks all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

The City of Dawson Creek is committed to accommodating persons with disabilities whenever reasonably possible during the selection and employment process. You must be legally entitled to work for any employer in Canada to be eligible for this position. By applying for this position, you are giving permission for the City to contact your previous employers and references.