New Job Superintendent, Parks In Nova Scotia

Halifax Regional Municipality is inviting applications for the permanent, full-time position of Superintendent, Parks West in the Parks division of Parks & Recreation. Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is committed to reflecting the community it serves and recognizing Diversity and Inclusion as one of the Municipality’s core values. We have an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Women in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented in the workforce, Indigenous/Aboriginal People, Persons with Disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ Persons. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify on their electronic application.

Reporting to the Director, Parks, the Superintendent is responsible and accountable for delivering safe and efficient operations maintenance and inspection services for parks, sports fields, courts, playgrounds, trails, and green spaces within the West region, with a counterpart responsible for the East region. The Superintendent also coordinates special events on municipal property and assists event organizers.

Utilizing effective leadership and management skills, the Superintendent is responsible for ensuring clients' needs are met and service standards are consistently achieved or exceeded, providing direct leadership and guidance to supervisors, as well as indirect leadership to full-time/seasonal staff and students, while overseeing a budget of over $12,000,000.

As the steward, the Superintendent provides operations and maintenance services for many of the approximately 900 parks, 335 sport fields, 367 sport courts, 407 playgrounds, 7 cemeteries, several pools/splash pads, 2 greenhouses and several kilometers of regional active transportation trails.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide clear direction and leadership to Parks supervisors to support facilitation of all park tasks and functions and set priorities for staff, including accountability for seasonal staff and students.
• Provide operations and preventative maintenance including inspection services for sportfields, sport courts, playgrounds, cemeteries, parks, and regional trails to ensure inventory is of a high quality.
• Ensure inspection and preventative maintenance programs are in place for safe and enjoyable park experiences.
• Ensure all employees work within a healthy and safe workplace and ensure compliance with all applicable codes and legislation.
• Provide landscape and maintenance expertise to other divisions and business units for the development of capital projects and operating costs.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the greenhouse in the delivery of all aspects of parks and horticulture services.
• Ensure field use is optimized through support of a scheduling format that is customer-focused and maintenance sensitive.
• Ensure efficient management of all service contracts and standing offers including a significant grass cutting component.
• Provide leadership and oversite to contractors to ensure proper park service levels are being achieved on a regular basis, i.e., Grass Cutting Standards.
• Evaluate contractor services on a regular basis through procurement evaluation process.
• Ensure service level standards are consistently met or exceeded.
• Collaborate with other business units in the development of council reports and preparation of briefing notes for the Director of Parks.
• In consultation with the Director, develop annual business plan, including the creation of detailed work plans, identifying project costs, deliverables, key performance indicators, resource allocation, benefits and schedules for implementation and evaluation.
• Manage operating budget in excess of $12M in expenditures, $1M in revenues, manage and deliver SOGR projects of $1M and contribute to the parks capital budget in excess of $13M annually.
• Monitor and evaluate staff performance and development plans; conducts performance appraisals and sets performance standards for direct reports. Administers performance management and progressive discipline processes as necessary.
• May perform other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:

• Undergraduate degree in Landscape Architecture, Landscape Construction, Parks Management or a related field from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum five years' progressive experience in a supervisory role, preferably in urban parks and outdoor recreation maintenance setting.
• Current training and professional development in effective management and leadership principles.
• Demonstrated experience in managing a budget, managing a unionized workforce, working with internal and external partners effectively.
• Experience and understanding of project management, procurement, and construction.

Technical / Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of the delivery of parks maintenance and operations including proactive maintenance practices and best practice operational standards.
• Knowledge in horticulture and cemeteries would be an asset.
• Knowledge of standard software and technology utilized in the HRM, i.e., Word, PowerPoint Presentations, Outlook, Excel, Hansen, CityWorks, etc.
• Knowledge of occupational safety and environmental regulations and practices.
• Knowledge and skills related to budget preparation and management.
• Knowledge and skills related to human resource management and labour relations.
• Knowledge of quality front-line customer service principles.

Security Clearance Requirements: This position requires satisfactory Criminal Record Check and Child Abuse Registry Check.

Please note – Testing may be conducted as a component of the selection process to assess technical and job specific knowledge. Candidates, who are selected for testing, may be tested in a group setting, scheduled at the employer’s discretion. Interviews, testing, and in-person recruitment activities are being conducted in adherence with current COVID-19 Public Health protocols.

COMPETENCIES: Valuing Diversity, Customer Service, Decision Making, Developing Others, Managing Change, Analytical Thinking, Networking/Relationship Building, Organization & Planning, Teamwork & Cooperation, Conflict Management

WORK STATUS: Permanent, full time

HOURS OF WORK: Normal working schedule is based on a 40-hour work week, Monday to Friday. However, overtime is required as determined by projects and deadlines.

SALARY: NU09 on the non-union salary scale; $94,540-$129,990. Salary to be commensurate with education and experience.

WORK LOCATION: 1680 Bell Road, Halifax, NS

CLOSING DATE: Applications will be received up to 1 1:59pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2023.

Please note: We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for interview/testing will be contacted.

During the recruitment process, applicants have the right to request an accommodation. Applicants invited to participate in an assessment process (such as an interview or testing) and who require accommodation, should discuss their needs with the Recruiter when invited to the assessment process.

(position # 72285787)