Manager, Parks & Recreation Services

Municipal World Inc.; Meaford; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Municipal World Inc. is seeking a seasoned leader to oversee Parks & Recreation Services in Meaford, Ontario. You will guide staff, develop budgets, manage projects and ensure safety and service standards across parks, trails and facilities.

The role requires a strategic thinker with strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, capable of driving programs and partnerships while maintaining compliance with applicable laws.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary diploma in recreation/leisure studies or facilities management or related field required.
• Minimum 5 years’ progressive municipal Parks & Recreation experience; at least 3 in a management/supervisory role.
• ORFA designation CRFP/CIT/CBT preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge of OHSA and related safety regulations.
• Valid Ontario driver’s licence and ability to attend evening/weekend meetings.

Responsibilities

• Lead Parks & Recreation Services team, manage HR administration and staff development.
• Plan staffing, scheduling, hiring and performance management.
• Develop and monitor operating and capital budgets for parks, facilities and programs.
• Oversee contracts, inventory, purchasing and reporting; ensure policy compliance.
• Coordinate with partners, groups and agencies; advocate for community needs.
• Ensure safety, risk management and compliance with provincial guidelines.
• Prepare reports, grant applications, and promote continuous service improvements.

Education

Post-secondary Diploma in Recreation and Leisure Studies and/or Facilities Management or related field

ORFA Professional Designation: CRFP/CIT/CBT

First Aid and CPR certification

Valid Class G Ontario Driver Licence

Job description

Role Specific Requirements

Management & Leadership:

1. Provide leadership to the Parks & Recreation Services team, management of direct reports and human resources administration which includes;
2. work planning, scheduling and assessment of staffing needs;
3. hiring/promotion, staff development, coaching/mentoring and conducting performance management reviews;
4. conflict resolution, discipline and termination recommendations;
5. authorizing overtime and leaves of absence;
6. promote team goals and harmony among team members.
7. Accountable to ensure all staff are knowledgeable of applicable health and safety legislation, policies and procedures, perform good health and safety practices; are trained to act appropriately in emergency situations, practice safe program delivery and operate equipment and materials safely utilizing safe work practices; ensure that documented procedural information is available, and that necessary reports/follow-up to such incidents are completed and reported accordingly.
8. Prepare, administer and monitor annual operating and capital budgets pertaining to parks, trails, open spaces, beautification, recreation facilities and recreational programming in consultation with the Director of Community Services. Prepare operating budget variance reports as required. Recommend rates and fees and ensure financial accountability and viability of services.
9. Monitor overall performance of parks, trails and recreation facilities against the business plan and budget; prepare and submit periodic performance/variance reports with initiation of corrective actions as necessary. Assist in the preparation of grant and joint funding applications for projects and partnerships; administer/monitor the approved annual budget including authorization of expenditures. Make recommendations for ongoing development and improvements to parks, trails and recreation facilities.
10. Act as a liaison and/or resource to municipal departments, government organizations to further the parks and recreation facility portfolio and exchange of information. Participate in conferences and seminars for professional development and upgrading, as required. Maintain effective working relationships with non-profit user community groups/stakeholders and sports associations.

Park & Recreation Services Management

1. Responsible for the effective management for all municipal parks, trails, open spaces, and recreation facilities (including, arena, outdoor pool operations, athletic fields ball diamonds, tennis courts, skate park, and urban beautification.
2. Develop and recommend service level standards and levels of service; developing policies, procedures and operating practices; act as an escalation and resolution point for complaints and problems related to all areas of Park & Recreation Services.
3. Strategically assess the recreational needs and interests of the residents of Meaford through needs assessments, surveys and questionnaires.
4. Oversee recreational programming services, ensuring that the services meet Council direction and provide excellent customer service.
5. Accountable for identifying, developing and providing recommendations for programming needs and direction by working closely and cooperatively with community groups, organizations and agencies. Oversee the Municipality’s recreation subsidy program through the partnership with Golden Town Outreach.
6. Negotiate and manage external contracts; ensuring legislated standards and municipal policies are adhered to and appropriate inventory control, purchasing, and records management measures are in place.
7. Ensure community needs are being accommodated, and facility usage is being maximized by collecting feedback, monitoring, reporting, and preparing recommendations and implementation plans for improvements.
8. Implement a system of quality assurance for all areas to comply with provincial recreational guidelines. Ensure risk management assessment is undertaken on all indoor and outdoor recreation facilities and amenities.
9. Ensure purchasing and inventory practices are adhered to and approves purchases and inventory/stock/storage procedures for recreation facilities.
10. Secure and update a list of all municipal assets within the Parks & Recreation facilities division. Monitor performance of assets while preparing replacement programs for each asset.
11. Liaison with a number of different user groups, community groups and specialized groups.

Capital Projects

1. Plan and initiate capital purchases and construction for Park & Recreation Services. In collaboration with the Director of Community Services, prioritize and schedule capital projects. Develop RFP’s and tenders, evaluating submissions and recommending the selection of contractors/vendors/external service providers.
2. Monitor capital project plans to ensure accuracy, completeness and on-budget. Responsible for overall performance of contractors, sub-trades and service providers to ensure quality of work and timeliness. Responsible for ensuring contractors, subcontractors and other external service providers adhere to the Occupational Health & Safety Act.

General Duties and Accountabilities

1. Provides and maintains a high degree of confidentiality and security of information at all times. Ensures confidentiality of information provided to produce content for Council, and other sensitive information sources where information is developed prior to staff/public release.
2. Work in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and other applicable legislation, department policies/procedures/practices, operational guidelines, and perform safe work practices.
3. Perform other duties as may be assigned in accordance with department and corporate objectives.

Required Certifications, Education, Skills and Experience

1. Post-secondary Diploma in Recreation and Leisure Studies and/or Facilities Management or related field.
2. Minimum 5 years’ demonstrated progressive experience and responsibility in a multi-diverse municipal Parks & Recreation Services environment, with a minimum of 3 years’ experience in a management/supervisory capacity, including capital project administration.
3. ORFA Professional Designation in any of the following:
   1. Certified Recreation Facilities Professional (CRFP).
   2. Certified Ice Technician (CIT).
   3. Certified Building Technician (CBT).
4. Thorough working knowledge of the Health Protection and Promotion Act, the Occupational Health & Safety Act, the Employment Standards Act, the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the Occupiers Liability Act, and other applicable safety-related legislation, regulations and guidelines.
5. Thorough working knowledge of artificial ice plants, recreation facilities, recreation programming, design and delivery principles, guidelines and best practices; public safety practices; local government functions/responsibilities; management practices; labour relations principles and practices; effective management of staff to maximize human resources within available financial resources.
6. Strong communication (written, oral and interpersonal), organizational, public relations and customer service, flexibility, ingenuity, and time management skills.
7. Computer literacy to utilize e-mail, word processing, spreadsheet software (specifically the Microsoft Office Suite Outlook, Word, Excel. Various facility booking/scheduling software and membership tracking software.
8. Ability to interact and deal effectively and courteously with all levels of staff, other levels of government, contractors, architects and/or consultants, community groups/stakeholders, volunteers and the general public in order to build co-operative and collaborative working relationships and internal and external alliances.
9. Familiarity with Liquor License and Control Act, and relevant legislation and the Occupational Health & Safety Act; understand and abide by applicable fire regulations.
10. Ability to maintain confidentiality, be tactful in all dealings, be self-motivated and work effectively alone or in a team environment.
11. Budget experience including preparation and management of a budget, expenditure control is an asset.
12. Ability to attend evening and weekend meetings, events or productions, as required.
13. Possess certification in First Aid and CPR.
14. Valid Class G Ontario Drivers Licence in good standing.
15. Thorough knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA); and employee relations principles and practices.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Physical demand requires sitting, standing, pushing, pulling and climbing; computer usage; and occasionally lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Working conditions vary between a standard office environment, enclosed arena environment, and outdoor facilities; exposure to cold temperatures and inclement weather conditions, ammonia/chemicals, noise; and exposure to public criticism.
• Normal hours of work are 35 hours per week, with evening and weekend hours based on special events and/or meetings. Acts as secondary point of contact for after-hours calls related to parks and recreation facilities; responds to after-hours alarms involved with the operating system on a rotating, shared basis as well as other emergency calls; works additional hours, when necessary