The Town is looking for people with a shared commitment to building a sustainable community, as well as shared values of integrity, inclusivity, excellence, accountability, and stewardship for the well-being of our residents.
Come gain a unique experience in the 2nd fastest growing municipality in Canada!
Position Summary:
Reporting to the Director of Community Services, the Manager of Parks and Trails is responsible for overseeing the planning, development, operation, and maintenance of all municipal parks, trails and cemeteries (both active and inactive). This role ensures that these facilities not only meet community needs but also comply with regulatory and environmental standards. The Manager is held accountable for effectively and efficiently planning, administering, and managing all outdoor maintenance functions for town properties, which include parks, sports fields, trails, cemeteries, and public buildings and grounds. Additionally, the Manager of Parks and Trails leads the development of long-term strategic plans for parks and trails, ensuring alignment with town goals and responding to the evolving needs of the community.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement a comprehensive master plan that emphasizes sustainability, accessibility, and innovation across parks, trails, and open spaces.
- Implement and maintain the cemetery master plan.
- Evaluate existing and propose future parks and trails projects to ensure alignment with strategic goals and objectives.
- Conduct proactive assessments and review development proposals, integrating environmental and community impact evaluations.
- Lead the redevelopment of current parks to enhance usability and foster community engagement.
- Collaborate with design professionals to incorporate modern trends and community preferences into redevelopment projects.
- Coordinate research efforts and implement industry best practices for sustainable and environmentally responsible parks, trail and cemetery management.
- Work closely with urban planners, engineers, and other stakeholders in project planning and design processes.
- Oversee the efficient and effective daily operations and functioning of all division-related facilities and programs.
- Develop, review, revise, and standardize division policies, procedures, construction and equipment specifications, design criteria, and service levels and standards.
- Develop and manage the division’s annual operating and capital budgets.
- Identify and pursue funding opportunities, including grants and partnerships, to support park and trail initiatives.
- Monitor expenditures to ensure they remain within budgetary limits and comply with municipal policies.
- Prepare and analyze technical studies and proposals related to Town parks, trails and cemetery facilities.
- Provide strategic advice to the Director, Senior Management Team, and Council on parks, trails, and open space opportunities, including land use, acquisitions, dispositions, and operations.
- Engage with community stakeholders such as user groups, local organizations, and government bodies.
- Manage staff, including assigning duties, overseeing work, and making recommendations on significant disciplinary actions, performance reviews, training and development, termination, promotion, and transfers within the division.
- Assess staffing needs, recommend changes to complement and/or organizational design, and manage recruitment, selection, and hiring of staff.
- Mentor and develop staff capabilities to meet strategic objectives.
- Prepare reports and presentations for Council as required.
- Manage winter snow removal and maintenance of Municipal Buildings and Parking lots.
- Liaise with other departments, government levels, utilities, contractors, local sporting associations, developers, and ratepayer groups regarding parks and trails operations.
- Ensure adherence to health and safety practices within the operating group, in compliance with standard operating guidelines and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
What you will need:
- A university degree in a relevant field such as Environmental Science, Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture, Recreation Management, or a related discipline. A college diploma in a related field may be considered, particularly if accompanied by significant related experience and professional certifications.
- At least 5 years of progressive leadership experience in municipal parks and trails management, urban planning, or a comparable field.
- Experience in landscape design, including landscape architecture in municipal contexts, is considered an asset.
- Experience in Cemetery management and operations in a municipal context is considered an asset.
- Demonstrated success in policy development and leading performance-driven teams.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is preferred.
- Proven ability to promote inclusive leadership and foster employee engagement and accountability.
- Strong problem-solving skills with the capacity for strategic decision-making.
- Proficiency with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), project management software, and Microsoft Office Suite is required.
- In-depth knowledge of Ontario’s environmental regulations and municipal bylaws relevant to parks and trails.
- Superior communication and public relations skills.
- Strong orientation towards customer service with the capability to cultivate and maintain positive relationships with staff, user groups, and volunteer organizations.
Hours of Work: 35-hour work week with a one-hour unpaid lunch. May be required to work evenings and/or weekends, on-call duties assigned.
Direct Reports: 7 full-time, 7 seasonal operators
Overtime: Not Applicable (Time in Lieu)
Driver’s License Required: Yes Class: G
This is a full-time management opportunity at the Town to fill an impending retirement. The anticipated start date is December 2025. The annual salary range for this role is $101,912.27 - $119,205.45 (2025 Rate). The Town also offers the following to our employees:
- Perks & Discounts
- Wellness Programs
- Health & Dental Benefits * full-time & 12 month + contracts only
- OMERS
- Work / Life Flexibility
- Professional Development & Education Opportunities
The submission deadline for applications is 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 29, 2025.
In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), please advise the Human Resources Department to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated throughout this process. Personal information provided by the applicants is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act, 2001 and will be used for the purpose of candidate selection.
We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
