Supervisor, By-Law Enforcement & Licensing

CITY OF ST. CATHARINES; St. Catharines; On-site; CAD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

CITY OF ST. CATHARINES is seeking a Supervisor, By-Law Enforcement & Licensing to oversee day-to-day operations, guide staff, and ensure enforcement across property standards, zoning, licensing and related by-laws.

The role includes training, performance management and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Ideal candidates will have a 2-year diploma in Police Foundations or Law and Security, MLEOA registration, CPSO certification, and 5+ years of municipal by-law experience.

Qualifications

• Minimum completion of a 2-year Diploma in Police Foundations or Law and Security is required.
• Registration with MLEOA and certification as a Municipal Law Enforcement Officer (MLEO) is required.
• Registration with OAPSO and certification as a Certified Property Standards Officer (CPSO) is required.
• Ontario Building Code courses including OBOA Part 9 considered an asset.
• Minimum five (5) years of municipal by-law enforcement experience.
• Previous supervisory or team lead role within a regulatory or law enforcement field in a unionized environment is an asset.
• Strong knowledge of municipal by-laws, provincial statutes and regulations, enforcement procedures, investigative techniques, evidence collection, courtroom preparation and prosecution processes.
• Ability to interpret and apply legislation and provide clear technical guidance to staff.
• Excellent organizational, customer service, interpersonal, presentation, oral and written communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, GIS, AMANDA, and gTechna ticketing software; Transport Canada drone certificate is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Supervises and coordinates the day-to-day work of By-Law Enforcement staff, prioritizing and guiding assignments.
• Implements and maintains standard operating procedures and training materials.
• Supports recruitment, orientation, training, coaching and performance management.
• Approves staff schedules and time sheets to ensure coverage.
• Coordinates enforcement activities related to property standards, zoning, licensing, by-laws and other duties within the City.
• Ensures compliance with provincial statutes, regulations and municipal by-laws.
• Reviews investigations and court documentation for accuracy and fairness; assists with prosecutions.
• Handles complex complaints and uses judgment to achieve compliance or appropriate action.
• Responds to inquiries from residents, businesses and City staff and prepares reports on investigations.
• Liaises with Building Section staff and other agencies to coordinate responses and enforcement objectives.
• Monitors legislative changes and best practices; provides findings to the Manager.
• Contributes to by-law development and policy reviews with practical considerations for enforcement.
• Prepares operational statistics and presentations; attends meetings as required.
• Promotes safety culture and compliance with OHSA and other policies.
• Ensures privacy compliance and manages confidential records.

Skills

Leadership

Decision making

Conflict resolution

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Customer service

Interpersonal skills

Public speaking

Education

Diploma in Police Foundations or Law and Security

MLEOA registration

OAPSO CPSO certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

GIS

AMANDA

Job description

About the Role:

The Supervisor, By-Law Enforcement & Licensing, is responsible for the day-to-day supervision, coordination and monitoring of the work of By-law Enforcement staff in the administration and enforcement of municipal by-laws and programs. The position provides operational guidance, training and technical support, promotes consistent enforcement practices and assists with complex or escalated investigations and inquiries. This role supports the effective coordination and delivery of enforcement activities across the City.

What You'll be Doing:

• Supervises and coordinates the day-to-day work of By-Law Enforcement staff, including assigning and prioritizing work, monitoring workloads and service standards, and providing instruction and technical guidance.
• Implement and maintain standard operating procedures and training materials to support consistent enforcement practices and service quality.
• Supports the recruitment, orientation, training, coaching, development and performance management of staff and assists the Manager with the administration of applicable collective agreement and corporate requirements.
• Approves staff schedules, time-off requests and time sheets to ensure adequate operational coverage.
• Coordinates day-to-day enforcement activities related to property standards, zoning, business licensing, short-term rentals, public space use, vital services, vacant buildings, waste/debris, long grass and weeds, and other by-laws within the City, in accordance with established policies, procedures and service levels.
• Ensures staff understand and follow applicable provincial statutes, regulations, municipal by-laws, corporate policies and section procedures; identifies concerns and recommends corrective action to the Manager.
• Reviews investigations, inspection findings, notices, orders, charges, evidence and court documentation for accuracy, completeness, procedural fairness and consistency, and assists staff with preparation for prosecutions.
• Investigates or supports complex or escalated complaints and enforcement matters that fall outside routine day-to-day activities, using sound judgement, conflict resolution and mediation to achieve compliance or recommend appropriate action.
• Responds to inquiries and complaints from residents, businesses, Council offices, external agencies such as the Office of the Ombudsman, and City staff relating to assigned areas of responsibility; coordinates follow-up and prepares a formal report with outcomes of an investigation, and refers significant or sensitive matters to the Manager.
• Liaises with Building Section staff, other City departments and relevant agencies, including Niagara Regional Police Service, to coordinate operational responses and support shared enforcement objectives.
• Reviews legislative changes, case law, enforcement trends, emerging issues and municipal best practices and provides findings and recommendations to the Manager.
• Provides input into the development and review of by-laws, policies and procedures, including practical considerations related to administration, enforceability, staff training and resource requirements.
• Compiles and analyzes operational statistics, prepares presentations and draft reports for the Manager; attends public meetings, hearings, Committee or Council meetings as required to provide operational information.
• Promotes staff compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Employment Standards Act, corporate policies, near miss reporting and safe operating procedures and supports the development of a positive safety culture.
• Monitor staff to ensure privacy legislation is adhered to such as the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, verifying records being released are redacted when required, and initiate the privacy breach protocol should a record be released in error.
• Conduct regular evaluations of staff performance and conduct one-on-one check-ins with by-law enforcement officers.
• Acts as Manager, By-law Enforcement and Licensing on routine matters when assigned in absence of the Manager.

What's Required:

• Minimum completion of a 2-year Diploma in Police Foundations or Law and Security is required.
• Registration with MLEOA and certification as a Municipal Law Enforcement Officer (MLEO) is required.
• Registration with OAPSO and certification as a Certified Property Standards Officer (CPSO) is required.
• Ontario Building Code courses including OBOA Part 9 considered an asset.
• Minimum five (5) years of municipal by-law enforcement experience.
• Previous or current experience in a supervisory or team lead/senior role within a regulatory or law enforcement field in a unionized environment would be considered an asset.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of municipal by-laws, applicable provincial statutes and regulations, enforcement procedures, investigative techniques, evidence collection, courtroom preparation and prosecution processes.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply legislation, by-laws, policies and procedures consistently and to provide clear technical guidance to staff.
• Strong decision making and conflict resolution skills, including demonstrated sound judgement in complex, confidential, sensitive or contentious situations.
• Excellent organization, customer service, interpersonal, presentation, oral and written communication skills.
• Working knowledge of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the Municipal Act, the Provincial Offences Act, the Ontario Building Code Act, the Planning Act, and Municipal By-laws.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint, gTechna ticketing software, GIS, and AMANDA software or a comparable municipal enforcement system.
• Transport Canada advanced drone pilot certificate considered an asset.
• A demonstrated commitment to enhancing a safety culture.
• Ability to work after hours, evenings and weekends, as required.
• Valid Ontario Class “G” driver’s licence with a driving record acceptable to the City. Ability to travel locally within the City and Niagara Region, as required.
• A satisfactory Police Record Check (including vulnerable sector screening, where applicable) is a condition of employment and will be requested following a conditional offer of employment.