Manager of Parks and Open Space

YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce; Owen Sound; On-site; CAD 86,000 - 104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extended Health & Dental plan

OMERS defined benefit pension

Job summary

City of Owen Sound seeks an experienced leader to serve as Manager of Parks and Open Space. You will oversee 48 parks, 500+ acres of open space, and Greenwood Cemetery, directing operations, planning, and asset management.

The role emphasizes strategic leadership, sustainability, and community engagement while ensuring safe, attractive facilities and effective capital planning. Strong municipal experience is highly valued.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree in horticulture, forestry, parks planning, environmental studies, landscape management, or a related discipline.
• Minimum five years of progressive leadership experience in urban parks, open space, cemetery, forestry, or related municipal operations.
• Experience supervising staff in a unionized environment.
• Municipal experience is strongly preferred.
• Valid G class driver’s licence and access to a reliable vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for park, open space, forestry, and cemetery operations.
• Direct maintenance programs including turf management, horticulture, sports fields, trails, playgrounds, landscaping, snow removal, and litter collection.
• Oversee campground operations, special event support, beautification initiatives, and urban forestry activities.
• Develop proactive maintenance and environmental management programs that support sustainability and operational efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with environmental and safety regulations.
• Lead parks planning initiatives and public engagement.

Skills

Leadership

Public engagement

Budgeting / financial acumen

Asset management

Strategic planning

Communication skills

Staff development

Education

Degree in Horticulture/Forestry/Parks Planning/Environmental Studies/Landscape Management or related

Tools

CMMS

Microsoft Office

Job description

Application Deadline Date: November 06, 2026

Manager of Parks and Open Space
Job Type: Full-time Permanent
Job Posting #: 2026-33
Closing Date: November 6, 2026

Group: Non-Union
Department: Community Services
Location: Owen Sound, ON

The City of Owen Sound is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to serve as Manager of Parks and Open Space. Reporting to the Director of Community Services, this position provides overall leadership and management of the City's parks, open spaces, urban forestry program, River District beautification initiatives, and Greenwood Cemetery.

The Manager oversees the maintenance, planning, development, and operation of 48 parks encompassing over 500 acres of open space, as well as Greenwood Cemetery. This role is responsible for ensuring safe, sustainable, and accessible parks and open spaces while providing leadership in asset management, capital planning, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. This posting is for an existing vacancy.

What You'll Do

• Provide leadership and oversight for all park, open space, forestry, and cemetery operations.
• Direct maintenance programs including turf management, horticulture, sports fields, trails, playgrounds, landscaping, snow removal, and litter collection.
• Oversee campground operations, special event support, beautification initiatives, and urban forestry activities.
• Ensure all parks, open spaces, and cemetery facilities are safe, attractive, and well maintained.
• Provide oversight of the City's urban forestry program.
• Lead invasive species management initiatives, including Emerald Ash Borer and Phragmites management strategies.
• Develop proactive maintenance and environmental management programs that support sustainability and operational efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with applicable environmental and safety regulations.

Parks Planning & Development

• Lead parks and open space planning initiatives, including Parks Master Plans and long-term development strategies.
• Support implementation of the City's Official Plan and Recreation, Parks and Facilities Master Plan.
• Review development applications and provide recommendations to the City's Development Team.
• Coordinate public engagement activities related to parks planning and development projects.

Budgeting & Asset Management

• Develop and manage annual operating and capital budgets for Parks and Cemetery operations.
• Oversee capital projects and long-term infrastructure planning.
• Support ongoing asset management initiatives and lifecycle planning for parks assets and equipment.
• Manage fleet and equipment assigned to Parks and Open Space operations.

Leadership & Labour Relations

• Provide leadership, guidance, and support to supervisors and staff within Parks and Cemetery operations.
• Establish priorities, approve work schedules, and oversee staff performance, training, and development.
• Support recruitment, succession planning, and workforce development initiatives.
• Advise supervisory staff on collective agreement interpretation, grievance handling, and labour relations matters.

Community Partnerships & Corporate Collaboration

• Prepare reports and presentations for Senior Leadership, Committees, and Council.
• Represent the City with community organizations, government agencies, partner organizations, and stakeholder groups.
• Work collaboratively with other City departments to support recreational programming, special events, capital projects, and facility management initiatives.
• Foster strong relationships with residents, user groups, contractors, and community partners.

What We're Looking For

Education & Experience

• Post-secondary degree in Horticulture, Forestry, Parks Planning, Environmental Studies, Landscape Management, or a related discipline.
• Minimum five (5) years of progressive leadership experience in urban parks, open space, cemetery, forestry, or related municipal operations.
• Experience supervising staff in a unionized environment.
• Municipal experience is strongly preferred.

Preferred Certifications (Assets)

• Intermediate or Advanced Parks Practitioner designation.
• Cemetery Operations or Cemetery Management certification.
• Sports Turf Maintenance certification.
• Project Management Certification or PMP designation.
• Health and Safety certifications related to municipal operations.
• Extensive knowledge of parks, open space, cemetery, urban forestry, sports field, playground, and landscape management practices.
• Strong understanding of applicable legislation, including the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, Technical Standards and Safety Act, Occupiers' Liability Act, Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, and related regulations.
• Excellent leadership, communication, public relations, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience with parks planning, public consultation, and strategic project management.
• Strong financial acumen, budgeting, and asset management experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), and related software applications.
• Ability to prepare and present reports to senior leadership and Council.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Other Requirements

• Valid G Class driver’s licence and access to a reliable vehicle.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and irregular hours to support special events, emergency situations, interments, meetings, and operational requirements.
• Ability to perform site inspections in various weather conditions.
• Strong commitment to customer service, community engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Wage: $62.11 - $75.74 hourly, 35 hours per week.
• Benefits: Comprehensive employer-paid Extended Health & Dental plan, and OMERS defined benefit pension plan.

Why Join Us?

Join a collaborative and forward-thinking organization where your leadership will directly influence the quality, sustainability, and vibrancy of Owen Sound's parks, open spaces, urban forest, and community gathering places. You'll play a key role in enhancing residents' quality of life while shaping the future of some of the City’s most valued public assets.

Why Owen Sound?

Owen Sound offers urban amenities with natural beauty, a vibrant arts and culture scene, extensive recreational opportunities, and exceptional access to the shores of Georgian Bay. It's a place where community, innovation, and quality of life come together.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

The City of Owen Sound values diversity and is committed to providing an inclusive workplace. We will accommodate the needs of applicants in accordance with the Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act throughout the hiring process.

The City of Owen Sound is committed to a fair, transparent, and people-centred recruitment process. While modern tools may assist in administrative tasks, all hiring decisions are made by people, and every application is reviewed by a member of our Human Resources team.

We do not use automated decision-making or artificial intelligence tools to screen out or eliminate applicants. Any technology used in the hiring process is designed solely to support efficiency - not to replace human judgment or evaluate applicant suitability.

We thank all applicants for their interest; only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act for the purpose of candidate selection. It will be maintained in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Need help with your resume, improving your interview skills or finding the right career? Our Employment Advisors are here to support you in your job search. From exploring employment and training opportunities and preparing to re-enter the workforce, to helping you write effective resumes and prepare for interviews.

Land Acknowledgement

The Municipalities of Bruce and Grey Counties sit on the traditional territory of the Anishnabek Nation : The People of the Three Fires known as Ojibwe, Odawa, and Pottawatomie Nations. We give thanks to them, and to the Chippewas of Saugeen , and the Chippewas of Neyaashiinigmiing , as the traditional keepers of this land and water, and we also recognize the traditional homeland of the Metis Nation .

Charitable registration number 11907 4995 RR0001