Operations Planner, Rural

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo; Fort McMurray; On-site; Full time

Job summary

A regional municipal government in Fort McMurray is seeking an Operations Planner for Rural Services. This role involves coordinating staff, managing assets, and ensuring quality operations in rural environments. The ideal candidate has a diploma in a relevant field and extensive experience in parks or roads operations. Strong leadership and communication skills are essential for this position.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of parks or roads operations.
• Ability to deal courteously with people.
• Experience in scheduling and planning environments.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate staff and contractors for rural operations.
• Assist in asset management and workflow planning.
• Prepare and assign work schedules.

Skills

Understanding of plans and bylaws related to Rural operations

Knowledge of municipal rural operations

Verbal and written communication skills

Leadership and problem-solving skills

Proficient with Microsoft Office

Education

Diploma in Construction, Engineering, Horticulture

Alberta Journeyperson Trade Certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Project management systems

Job description

Overview

Requisition ID: 3474

Affiliation: CUPE Municipal

Position Type: Permanent Full Time

Number of Openings: 1

Bi-weekly Working Hours: 80 hours bi-weekly

Shift/Work Schedule: 4 x 10 hour shifts per week

Department/ Branch: Indigenous and Rural Relations, Rural

Job Location: Anzac (Rural)

Pay Level: PL14

Start Rate: $54.99

Permanent Rate: $64.77 (Permanent rate effective after completion of probation)

COLA: Bi-Weekly - $480

Reposted (dd/mm/yyyy): 06/09/2025 (original CUPE closing date: 22/06/2025)

Closing Date (dd/mm/yyyy): 21/09/2025

Posting Type: Internal and External

General Description

Under general supervision, the Operations Planner, Rural is a working leader that provides direction and assists with providing short- and long-term planning and scheduling for the Rural Services branch. This will include organizing, developing, assigning, coordinating, and prioritizing key deliverables for Rural operations. Additionally, they will assist in asset management and work projects including completing workflow plans and safety documentation on a daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate staff, contractors, and consultants, and liaise with a variety of internal and external contacts.
• Coordinate required skills, equipment, components, parts, and materials of day-to-day operations, work projects, and short to long term departmental plans. This includes ensuring all assets are in good working condition, including corrective, preventative maintenance.
• Provide technical support and coordination to ensure quality assurance with sound workflow processes.
• Assess operational processes and assist in the development of new or revised procedures.
• Provide short/long range workflow quantity and quality control.
• Prepare and assign work schedules, plans, reports, and statistical data and undertake special projects.
• Ensure an adequate inventory of equipment and supplies (tools, spare parts, landscape materials, and signage). This will require the incumbent to work with purchasing representatives and follow applicable procedures.
• Assist the Supervisor with accurate projections and ensure total cost tracking is included in the preparation and utilization of annual operational and capital budgets.
• Compile and prepare information for council reports, briefing notes, and business cases pertaining to Rural service delivery as required.
• Assist with changes to and establishment of policies and procedures to maintain a safe workplace environment, ensuring compliance with occupational health and safety (OH&S) regulations and municipal safety policies.
• Mentor and assist staff with safe work procedures and OH&S regulations.
• Research, prepare, and present detailed reports pertinent to Rural programs.
• Assist with the development and implementation of asset management to support Rural service delivery.
• Respond to calls transferred from the Pulse line, public enquires and attend public meetings to provide information and assistance as needed.
• Complete training as required to improve skills and knowledge, and to ensure adherence with the position’s technical responsibilities.
• Support Rural programs and field operations, including general labour and equipment operations when operationally required.
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to understand plans and bylaws relating to Rural operations.
• Knowledgeable in municipal rural operations including playground, snow removal, equipment, outdoor rinks, cemeteries, forestry, horticulture, landscape construction, turf, sports fields, sports courts, water/ septic services, roadways, and signage.
• Knowledge of, and experience using personal protective equipment (PPE) and working within the parameters of the OH&S Act, municipal safety policies and procedures, and bylaws. Strong verbal and written communication skills with ability to clarify and convey information in a clear and concise manner.
• Ability to deal courteously and effectively with a diverse range of people, using judgement, tact, and sound decision-making skills, sometimes in conflict situations.
• Proven skills in leadership, planning, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills. A high achiever and self-starter.
• Proficient with a variety of computer applications (i.e., Microsoft Office) and project management systems.
• Demonstrated ability to plan for technology updates and equipment replacement.

Education And Experience

• Diploma in Construction, Engineering, Horticulture, Irrigation, Forestry, Environment, or another discipline relating to municipal field operations is required.
• Seven (7) years of experience and knowledge of parks or roads operations, such as but not limited to, horticulture, turf, roads, or environmental management is required.

OR

• Alberta Journeyperson Trade Certification of Carpenter, Landscape Horticulturalist, or another related discipline is required.
• Five (5) years of journeyperson experience and knowledge of parks or roads operations, such as but not limited to, horticulture, turf, or environmental management is required.
• Experience must include four (4) years of directly related experience in a scheduling and planning environment including project management.
• Experience reviewing safety requirements and reading blueprints and construction drawings are an asset.

Other Requirements

• Submission of a Criminal Record Check.
• A valid Class Five (5) Operator’s Licence is required as incumbent will be required to operate a personal or municipal vehicle for business use on a regular basis.
• Pre-employment testing may be required as part of the interview process.
• Ability to work in an office environment and outdoors.
• Must be medically and physically able to perform all duties of the position on an ongoing basis.
• Immunizations are strongly recommended for work in unsanitary conditions.

Safety

As an employee of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, the incumbent is responsible for understanding and actively participating in the RMWB’s health and safety management system, and complying with all policies, practices, and procedures. All employees must take reasonable care to protect the health and safety of themselves and others, as well as immediately report any concerns, near misses, incidents, and hazardous conditions to their supervisor.

How to apply

Please visit our website at jobs.rmwb.ca

Current employees must apply through the internal careers site.

We appreciate the interest of all applicants; however, only those individuals selected for interviews will be contacted. Late applications will not be accepted.