Project Manager, Operations (Roads)

Municipality of Chatham-Kent; South Buxton; Hybrid; CAD 100,000 - 113,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

OMERS pension plan

Group benefits after 3-month waiting

Sick and vacation entitlements

Job summary

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is seeking a permanent full-time Project Manager, Operations (Roads) to lead the planning, design, procurement, construction, and operation of municipal road and right-of-way projects.

Reporting to the Operations Division, the role oversees budgets, schedules, and technical quality; guides consultants, coordinates with internal departments, and ensures compliance with provincial acts and municipal standards. Remote work is approved with occasional on-site duties.

Qualifications

• College diploma or university degree in engineering or engineering technology.
• 4–6 years of related experience in capital design/construction project management.
• Experience preparing RFPs and tender documents.
• Experience managing operating, lifecycle, and capital budgets.
• Knowledge of financial modelling and activity-based costing for project budgets.
• Knowledge of municipal road operations and related legislation.

Responsibilities

• Manage delivery of Roads Operations projects from inception to completion.
• Prepare technical reports and designs for civil/linear infrastructure projects.
• Prepare project estimates, budgets, and schedules.
• Procure and manage engineers and consultants through design/construction.
• Oversee project construction, closeout, and commissioning/operational handover.
• Coordinate with internal/external stakeholders and public engagement.

Skills

Project management

Budget management

Financial modelling

Communication

Strategic thinking

Education

Engineering degree or diploma

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Location: 92 Churchill, Chatham, Ontario

Reason for Vacancy: Replacement

Closing Date: October 29, 11:59pm EST. Applications received after this deadline will not be accepted.

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has an opening for a permanent full-time Project Manager, Operations in the Operations division.

The Project Manager, Operations (Roads) is responsible for the planning, coordination, management, and delivery of projects, programs, and technical activities supporting the operation, maintenance, and management of the Municipality’s rights-of-way and linear infrastructure. The position manages projects through all phases of delivery, including planning, assessment, design, procurement, contract administration, construction, inspection, closeout, and transition to ongoing operations and maintenance. The position provides technical oversight and acts as a subject matter expert on municipal roads operations, municipal rights-of-way, and linear infrastructure, ensuring projects and activities align with applicable legislation, municipal standards and policies, strategic priorities, asset management objectives, and operational requirements. The position also provides oversight of the Municipality’s utility locate station code(s) and associated locate responsibilities.

• Demonstrate Chatham-Kent’s core values and competencies
• Demonstrate Chatham-Kent’s core values and competencies.
• Manage the delivery of Roads Operations projects from inception to completion, including planning and scoping, design, approvals, budgeting, scheduling, construction, commissioning, and operationalizing infrastructure.
• Apply sound project management practices and methods to monitor projects and Key Performance Indicators, including oversight of project budgets, schedules, and scope.
• Demonstrate strategic thinking and sound judgement to prioritize and organize various project phases in line with customer and Municipal requirements, reflecting Corporate priorities and risk management.
• Act as a subject matter expert and provide technical management and guidance on assigned projects, tasks, and deliverables, including assessing right-of-way needs, determining requirements, and developing and informing solutions.
• Prepare technical reports and prepare and review preliminary and detailed designs for a variety of civil and linear infrastructure projects, including storm sewers, roadside drainage works, streetlighting projects, traffic signal installations, pavement, curb and gutter, and other tasks as assigned.
• Prepare project estimates, local improvement assessments, and project schedules.
• Prepare technical specifications and reports, including contract documentation for the procurement of tender and proposal bids.
• Procure and manage engineers and other consultants throughout the design and construction of projects using procurement processes in accordance with the Corporate Purchasing Policy.
• Oversee project construction and manage project closeout and commissioning/operational assumption of infrastructure, including managing and coordinating field inspections, undertaking construction site inspection and contract administration or overseeing these activities when performed by consultants, preparing payment certificates, and ensuring quality control on assigned projects.
• Use criteria under Provincial Acts, Statutes, and Procedures for obtaining project approvals.
• Manage and provide technical oversight of the Municipality’s obligations under the Minimum Maintenance Standards (MMS) for Municipal Highways, including the development, implementation, monitoring, and documentation of inspection, maintenance, and response activities to support regulatory compliance and established levels of service.
• Manage and provide oversight of the Municipality’s utility locate station code(s) and associated locate responsibilities, including applicable regulatory requirements, operational procedures, service delivery, and coordination with internal and external stakeholders.
• Work directly with the Sign Shop and Roads Operations divisions to identify operational and infrastructure needs, develop and implement solutions, coordinate projects and programs, and provide technical guidance to support service delivery, regulatory compliance, and the effective maintenance of municipal road infrastructure.
• Assist the department and division with developing multi-year budget plans and forecasts, including lifecycle, operating, and capital budgets, and the preparation of project cost estimates.
• Assist in the development, implementation, and updating of operational policies, procedures, standards, and By-Laws for the Operations Division.
• Collaborate and build connections with internal departments and external agencies and act as a liaison, negotiator, and facilitator, working in tandem with other Municipal departments to ensure project delivery aligns with internal customer and Municipal needs, as well as applicable Municipality and community plans and strategies.
• Plan and conduct public engagement, ensure the customer perspective guides decisions and activities, and use appropriate communication techniques to respond to customer inquiries and resolve concerns.
• Prepare reports and materials for, and facilitate or attend, public, committee, and Council meetings as required.
• Participate in leadership development opportunities through training and support the development and mentoring of junior and intermediate technical staff.
• Incorporate and align with the Chatham-Kent Strategic Plan.
• College Diploma or University Degree in Engineering or Engineering Technology or a related field.
• Four (4) to six (6) years of related experience in capital design and/or construction project management of linear infrastructure and/or municipal roads operations.
• Experience preparing requests for proposals and tender documents for consultant and construction assignments.
• Experience managing operating, lifecycle, and capital budgets.
• Sound knowledge of financial modelling and activity-based costing systems related to capital and/or lifecycle projects for the purpose of tracking project budgets and costs.
• Knowledge of current developments, leading practices, and industry best practices related to municipal road operations, maintenance, and right-of-way infrastructure.
• Working knowledge of relevant municipal, provincial, and federal government processes, Acts, and legislation, such as the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, and related standards.
• Knowledge of applicable legislation, regulations, standards, and guidelines related to municipal road operations, including the Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways, Highway Traffic Act, Drainage Act, Railway Safety Act & Grade Crossing Standards/Regulations, Ontario Traffic Manual, and Ontario Provincial Standards.
• Ability to think strategically, anticipate and consider large-scale issues, and develop credible short-term and long-term strategies and plans.
• Ability to interpret technical issues and explain them to all levels of the organization in an understandable, clear, and concise manner.
• Excellent computer skills in AutoCAD Map and Civil 3D; knowledge in the use of total station and GPS surveying equipment is considered an asset.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and internet applications or other similar software programs.
• Demonstrated ability to adopt and effectively leverage emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to improve productivity, analysis, problem-solving, decision-making, and service delivery.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email and internet (or other similar software programs)

Other qualifications

• Experience in a local government or other government setting is considered an asset.
• Supervisory or leadership experience, preferably in a municipal environment, is considered an asset.
• Experience developing policies, procedures, standards, and by-laws related to municipal road operations, right-of-way infrastructure, and transportation is considered an asset.
• Ability to establish positive working relationships with the public, Municipal staff, Council, committees, contractors, consultants, external agencies, and other related organizations.
• Ability to build trust and credibility in a politically sensitive environment with competing demands and priorities.
• Strong knowledge of the Municipality’s policies, procedures, by-laws, and applicable legislation and regulations is considered an asset.

Certifications, memberships, licenses

• Membership and registration with the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists as a C.E.T. or C.Tech or with Professional Engineers Ontario as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) is preferred.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is considered an asset.

Work environment/hours of work

• This position works both indoors and outdoors
• This position works weekday hours, with occasional evening and weekend hours

Working Remotely

This position has been approved for remote working, at the discretion of the supervisor based on the Working Remotely Policy.

This position may be required to attend on-site meetings in order to complete essential responsibilities of the role. As per the Working Remotely Policy, employees scheduled to work remotely on a certain day may occasionally be called to a municipal onsite work location on short notice. Employees must remain flexible to accommodate municipal requirements and be prepared to be called in on short notice.

Driver’s licence/vehicle requirements

Because of the responsibilities, this position requires the successful candidate to have a valid class G (or higher) Ontario driver’s licence; a driver’s abstract will be conducted by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. An acceptable driver’s abstract will: be an original document and current (within the previous thirty (30) days); have no more than four (4) demerit points; have no more than two (2) convictions for the same offence; have no criminal code convictions; have no ‘non-medical or administrative’ license suspension in the preceding three (3) years; because this position may be required to drive their own vehicle, a reliable vehicle is also required.

Background check requirements

Successful candidates will be required to complete a background check prior to commencement of employment. A background check may include the following: education/certification verification and employment reference check.

Essential physical and/or safety requirements

• Walking: frequent walking on level surface, frequent walking on rough surface (site reviews/inspections)
• Sitting: frequent sitting in chair and/or vehicle seat
• Standing: frequent standing indoors and outdoors
• Foot action: frequent one and two foot action

This permanent full-time position has an annual salary of $100,043 to $113,119 and will receive benefits including: participation in the OMERS pension plan (mandatory) as well as sick and vacation entitlements. Following successful completion of a 3-month waiting period, candidates will also be entitled to a comprehensive group benefits package.

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The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fair and accessible employment practices that attract and retain talented employees in a workplace that is inclusive, supportive, and reflective of the diverse community we serve.

The Municipality does not use artificial intelligence or automated decision‑making tools in its recruitment or selection processes; all hiring decisions are made by people.

Should you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources & Organizational Development (HROD) at 519-360-1998. Applicant information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Privacy legislation and will be used strictly for the purpose of candidate selection.