Job ID #32231: Manager, Parks

cityofhamilton; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Hamilton is seeking a Manager, Parks to lead planning, operation, maintenance and financial performance of City parks, park facilities and open spaces. Reporting to the Director of Environmental Services, you will guide staff, develop budgets, set KPIs, and coordinate with HR and other divisions to deliver high‑quality services.

Housed in a dynamic municipal context, this 35‑hour‑week role commands a Grade 8 level and requires progressive supervisory experience, strong leadership,

Qualifications

• University degree in Landscape Architecture or related field, or a college diploma with relevant experience.
• Membership in OALA or Ontario Parks Association desirable.
• Proven knowledge of best practices in Parks operations.
• Progressive supervisory/management experience in municipal Parks.
• Experience leading a large unionized workforce and understanding collective agreements.
• Commitment to service excellence via continuous improvement and innovation.
• Experience managing large operating and capital budgets.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and work order systems.
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills with staff, council, contractors and public.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety Act and related regulations.
• Understanding of statutes, regulations and by-laws affecting Parks operations.

Responsibilities

• Plan, operate, maintain City parks, park facilities and open spaces.
• Provide strategic leadership aligned with department plans and city priorities.
• Develop, monitor and manage sectional budgets.
• Hire, train, coach, mentor and appraise staff; schedule work.
• Develop performance measures and KPIs for Parks operations.
• Participate in labour relations with Human Resources.
• Create and maintain business plans and service levels for Parks.
• Lead annual target setting to meet corporate priorities.
• Ensure timely, compliant delivery of services and risk mitigation.
• Represent Parks to committees and the community; liaise with other divisions.
• Maintain standard operating procedures and program schedules.
• Promote Parks via projects and meet service standards.
• Comply with legislation, policies, contracts; uphold health and safety.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Communication skills

Health and safety

Labour relations

Project planning

Microsoft Office

Work order systems

Education

University degree in Landscape Architecture or related field

Certificate in Landscape Technology or equivalent

Operational training or progressive experience in parks

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Work order management system

Job description

Contribute to the City of Hamilton, one of Canada’s largest cities - home to a diverse and strong economy, an active and inclusive community, a robust cultural and dining scene, hundreds of kilometers of hiking trails and natural beauty just minutes from the downtown core, and so much more. Join our diverse team of talented and ambitious staff who embody our values of sensational service, courageous change, steadfast integrity, collective ownership and being engaged empowered employees. Help us achieve our vision of being the best place to raise a child and age successfully. #BeTheReason

• Job ID #32231: Manager, Parks
• Union: Non-Union
• Job Description ID #: 2512
• Close date: Wednesday September 30th, 2026
• Vacancy type: This posting is for an existing vacancy
• Internal applicants: Apply with work e-mail address. External applicants considered after internal posting process completed. Only applicants chosen for interview will be contacted.

Summary of Duties

Reporting to the Director of Environmental Services, the Manager of Parks is responsible for the planning, operation, maintenance, and financial performance of City owned parks, park facilities, and open spaces. In addition, the Manager is accountable for the availability of adequate and appropriate resources required to deliver service programs.

General Duties

Administer, co-ordinate and direct the ongoing operations and work activities within the section by delegating and assigning work to staff ensuring maximum utilization of human resources and monitoring and evaluating individual staff performance and providing support and guidance for staff development as required.

Provide strategic leadership in keeping with the Sections, Division’s, and Department's strategic plans and Corporation's Mission and Vision and stated priorities, and in response to the growth in the city and in response to the expectations of the community.

Promote a positive workplace culture and take actions for continuous improvement.

Responsible for developing, coordinating and monitoring the sectional budget.

Responsible for the hiring, orientation, training, coaching, mentoring, developing, scheduling, disciplining and performance accountability of staff.

Develop performance measures and key performance indicators that will lead to greater efficiencies and improved services provided in Parks, including through continuous improvement initiatives.

Participate in labour relations matters by maintaining a close working relationship with Human Resources.

Create and maintain business plans including program service levels for the Parks operations in alignment with corporate priorities, goals, objectives and service demands.

Lead in setting annual performance targets for operations and business units that reflect and respond to corporate priorities and industry best practices.

Ensure timely, effective, and efficient delivery of service programs in accordance with operating plans and program schedules in compliance with all applicable legislative requirements.

Establish and maintain standard operating procedures and program schedules to ensure timely, effective, and efficient delivery of services in compliance with all applicable legislative requirements.

Ensure effective and consistent service delivery relative to current policy and procedures, changing conditions, demands, and regulations with an emphasis on risk mitigation and claims.

Maintain program quality assurance and financial performance using appropriate measures and systems.

Represent, report, promote and advocate for the sections services by communicating positively and frequently with committees, working groups, and within the community at large.

Work cooperatively and communicate frequently with staff, other Public Works divisions and other divisions/departments in the Corporation.

Ensure operational compliance with all applicable legislation, policy, contracts, agreements, regulations and guidelines.

Promote Parks through the successful delivery of projects and meeting the service standards as set.

Maintain a positive, cooperative, helpful and honest relationship with members of Council and leaders of the City of Hamilton.

Act on behalf of the Director as delegated.

Perform other duties as assigned which are directly related to the responsibilities of this position.

Qualifications

1. Sound knowledge of the duties listed above with progressive supervisory and management work experience in municipal Parks operations. Requirement of a university degree in a related field such as Landscape Architecture or a college diploma in Landscape Technology or equivalent, with operational training or demonstrated progressive experience gained through working in the industry.

2. Membership in an industry association, such as the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA) or Ontario Parks Association is desirable.

3. Proven knowledge of best operational practices and theories together with a proven record in planning, designing and maintaining Parks operations.

4. Considerable work experience directly working in Parks Management or equivalent.

5. Demonstrated ability to provide effective leadership to a large, unionized workforce supported by a thorough understanding of "industry best management practices" and an appreciation of operating environments and issues affecting staff in program delivery.

6. Demonstrated commitment to achieve service excellence through continuous improvement initiatives such as technical innovation, process change, and staff training/development/mentoring programs in addition to the ability to develop and support new and innovative business initiatives and partnerships.

7. Demonstrated competencies in the preparation and management of large scale operating and capital budgets affecting multiple service programs delivered through a combination of in house and contracted forces.

8. Experience in a computerized environment. Working knowledge of Microsoft Applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint) and work order management system.

9. Demonstrated strong interpersonal and communications skills to support the development of effective relationships with staff, contractors, members of council, the media, community organizations and the general public.

10. Demonstrated understanding of applicable statutes, regulations and by-laws affecting the scope of the position.

11. Demonstrated knowledge of the Health and Safety Act and applicable regulations as it relates to the position.

12. Demonstrated knowledge of collective bargaining process and experience in effective application of collective agreements.

Salary

Grade 8

Hours

35 per week

THE INCUMBENT SHALL COMPLY WITH ALL HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR THIS POSITION AND THE WORKPLACE.

Disclaimer

Be advised that Human Resources frequently audits resumes of internal/external applicants to ensure/validate information provided is consistent and trustworthy.Falsification of information provided at any time throughout the recruitment process may be grounds for disqualification, and for internal applicants, subject to discipline up to and including termination.

Terms

The City is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes.Consistent with our Values and Corporate Culture Pillars, the City of Hamilton is committed to providing equitable treatment to all with respect to barrier-free employment and accommodation without discrimination. The City will provide accommodation for applicants in all aspects of the hiring process, up to the point of undue hardship. If you have an accommodation need, please contact Human Resources as soon as possible to make appropriate arrangements.