Public Works Operations Manager

Institute of Public Administration of Canada; Dryden; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Dryden is seeking a Public Works Operations Manager to lead a multidisciplinary team and drive the department’s capital program. Reporting to the Director of Public Works, you will manage daily operations, oversee the operating budget, and coordinate road, water, and waste projects to serve residents safely and efficiently.

The ideal candidate has a Civil Engineering Technology diploma, CET eligibility, and at least five years of supervisory experience in a municipal unionized

Qualifications

• Three-year Civil Engineering Technology diploma.
• Eligibility for certification as CET.
• Five+ years supervisory/management experience in municipal unionized environment, preferably in public works.
• Knowledge of transportation, environmental, waste-management and occupational health and safety legislation.
• Experience with public works maintenance, capital projects, GIS, and asset-management systems.
• Certifications or ability to obtain road supervision, landfill operations and playground inspection.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to Public Works Operations team and oversee the operating budget.
• Oversee the department’s capital program and major infrastructure projects.
• Collaborate with stakeholders, council, and departments to deliver safe, resilient services.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
• Foster an inclusive, efficient, and results-driven workplace.

Skills

Team leadership

Municipal infrastructure knowledge

Budget management

Communication skills

Safety compliance

Education

Civil Engineering Technology diploma

CET certification eligibility

Tools

GIS

Asset management systems

Capital project coordination

Job description

The City of Dryden,located in the heart of Northwestern Ontario,is the second largest city in the KenoraDistrict. Located on Wabigoon Lake, Dryden is enveloped by the beautyof tranquil lakes, stunning views, and the boreal forest.Dryden offers somethingfor everyone; the perfect blend of opportunities to raise a family, grow a business, and build alife. It has the conveniences of an urban centre without losing its rural,neighbourly charm.

Some leadership roles aremeasured in reports. This one is measured in roads travelled,water flowing, neighbourhoods growing, winter routes cleared, and employeesreturning home safely.

TheCity of Dryden is looking for a Public Works Operations Manager who sees publicworks as more than maintaining infrastructure. It is about creating a safe, resilient, and well-run community and building aworkplace where people are trusted, supported, and empowered to do their bestwork.

Reportingto the Director of Public Works, you will provide leadership to a team ofemployees, oversee the Public Works Operations operatingbudget, and play a key role in delivering the department’s capital program. The City’s currentpriorities include significant infrastructure investment, with major projectsinvolving roads and bridges, waterworks, stormwater systems, waste management,recycling infrastructure, and cemetery expansion.

This is a hands-on leadership opportunity with genuine communityimpact. You will play a key role in advancingseveral significant municipal infrastructure initiatives while overseeing the essential programs residents rely on every day from road maintenance and winter controlto environmental monitoring, waste diversion, and public-space beautification.

A Progressive Approach to Public Works

We are lookingfor a leader who is ready to challenge “the way it has always been done” with curiosity,

practical judgment and respect for the peoplewho know the work best.

You will not be expected to lead from behind a desk. The strongest candidate will be equallycomfortable in the field, at the budget table, in a Council discussionand alongside employees solving an urgent operational challenge.

The Leader We Are Looking For

Youare a grounded, forward-looking public works professional who earns trustthrough consistency, openness, and follow-through. You set clear expectationswithout micromanaging, welcome different perspectives, and understand thatinnovation succeeds when employees are included in the process.

You bring sound knowledge of municipal infrastructure andoperations, along with experience leading people, budgets, projects and change in a unionizedenvironment. You remaincomposed when priorities

compete, communicate clearly with technicaland non-technical audiences, and understand that excellentpublic service is both operational and deeply human.

The preferred candidate will have:

• A three-year Civil Engineering Technology diploma.
• Eligibility for certification as a CertifiedEngineering Technologist.
• At least five years of progressive supervisory or management experience in a municipal unionized environment, preferably inpublic works.
• Knowledge of relevant transportation, environmental, waste-management and occupationalhealth and safety legislation.
• Experience with public works maintenance, capitalprojects, GIS, and asset-management systems.
• Relevant road supervision,landfill operations and playground inspection certifications, or the ability toobtain them.

In accordance with the AODA, as well as the Ontario Human RightsCode, the City of Dryden is an equal opportunity employer committed toproviding a diverse workplace, individualized accommodations to support employees with disabilities, and an inclusive and accessible environment for all persons.

The City ofDryden is also committed to fair and accessible employment practices that attractand retain talented employees.Accommodations of persons with disabilities are available for all parts of therecruitment and selection process.