Public Works Supervisor- Northern Ontario- Relocation Available

Pinnacle | Executive & Professional Search; Red Lake; On-site; CAD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Vacation time

Job summary

Pinnacle Executive Search is representing a northern Ontario municipality seeking a hands-on Public Works Supervisor to own a department and lead a 10+ crew. The role reports to the Director of Public Works and Fleet in a small-town setting with winter on-call expectations and strong relocation support.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years supervising a crew, working knowledge of the Municipal Act, and OTC Book 5/7 requirements, plus solid MS Office skills.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in public works supervision or equivalent
• Direct supervision of a crew experience required
• Knowledge of Municipal Act and minimum maintenance standards; OTC Book 5/7 or willingness to obtain
• Strong leadership; builds positive, accountable team culture
• Able to adapt quickly; makes decisions under pressure
• Well organized; proficient with Microsoft Office and tracking systems
• Willingness to participate in on-call/standby rotation during winter

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise the Public Works Department and 10+ crew
• Plan winter control operations and on-call responses
• Oversee spring cleanup including drainage, culverts, and debris
• Supervise summer road construction and traffic control
• Build and manage daily/weekly schedules; lead toolbox talks
• Oversee roads, sidewalks, signage, streetlighting, water/sewer systems
• Inspect sites; prioritize public complaints
• Coordinate fleet maintenance with third-party providers
• Ensure safety training and PPE compliance per OHSA
• Coordinate contractors and external service providers
• Respond to emergencies and communicate with residents

Skills

Public works supervision

Leadership

Microsoft Office

In-house tracking systems

Education

CET or C.Tech certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

In-house tracking systems

Job description

Location: Northern Ontario- Relocation Available

Pinnacle Executive Search is exclusively recruiting a Public Works Supervisor on behalf of our client a northern Ontario municipality.

Our client is looking for a hands-on leader ready to take ownership of a department and make it their own. This is a rare opportunity to step into a well-supported, autonomous role reporting directly to the Director of Public Works and Fleet, with a team of 10+ ready to be led. If you thrive in a small-town environment, love the outdoors, and want a role where every day brings something different, this is it.

This community offers true northern Ontario living - think fishing, hunting, and lake life right outside your door - paired with a stable, well-compensated municipal career. Our client is open to relocation and will assist with relocation costs, so if you are ready for a change of pace without sacrificing career growth, this is worth a serious look.

With the previous supervisor promoted from within and now transitioning to private industry, our client wants to get this hire right - someone who brings real supervisory depth along with working knowledge of the Municipal Act, minimum maintenance standards, and Ontario Traffic Council Book 5 and Book 7 requirements.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Lead, mentor, and supervise the Public Works Department, including Transfer Station operations, providing clear direction, coaching, and day-to-day performance support
• Plan, coordinate, and supervise winter control operations, including on-call response, equipment readiness, and route planning, and maintain due diligence documentation (patrols, condition monitoring, material application records)
• Lead spring cleanup activities: sweeping, debris removal, drainage and ditching work, culvert inspections, and remediation of winter-related damage
• Supervise summer road construction and rehabilitation programs, including gravel road maintenance, grading, dust control, asphalt patching, and traffic control coordination
• Build and manage daily and weekly schedules, and lead daily pre-start and toolbox talks with the crew
• Oversee maintenance of roads, sidewalks, signage, streetlighting, line painting, water and sewer systems, including water meters and meter readings
• Conduct site visits to inspect and investigate public complaints, and prioritize response
• Manage inventory and coordinate fleet maintenance, largely through third-party providers with administrative support
• Conduct regular safety meetings and ensure PPE use, training, and safe work practices comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and municipal policy
• Coordinate and monitor contractors and external service providers, verifying quality and completion of work
• Respond to emergencies and incidents, coordinating with relevant authorities as needed
• Communicate proactively with residents, community groups, and local businesses on project timelines and service impacts
• Assist in reviewing and updating Standard Operating Procedures to ensure consistency and compliance

MUST HAVES

• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in public works supervision, or equivalent (construction supervision with heavy equipment knowledge also considered)
• Demonstrated experience directly supervising a crew - this is the piece that has tripped up past candidates, so it matters
• Working knowledge of the Municipal Act and minimum maintenance standards, along with OTC Book 5 and Book 7 (or willingness to obtain)
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to build a positive, accountable team culture and manage a range of personalities, including senior crew members
• Adaptable and decisive - comfortable making calls on the fly and adjusting to fast-changing conditions
• Well organized, with solid working knowledge of Microsoft Office and the ability to pick up in-house tracking systems
• Resilient, thick-skinned, and steady under pressure
• Willingness to participate in an on-call/standby rotation during winter control and peak periods

NICE TO HAVE

• Post-secondary education in Civil Engineering (CET or C.Tech), Public Administration, or a related field
• Previous equipment operator experience, useful for hands-on training of staff
• Water Quality Analyst certification

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Vacation time
• Relocation assistance available for the right candidate