Superintendent, Urban Forestry (Urban Forestry)

Full Time

  Halifax Regional Municipality

  Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Job Posting

Halifax Regional Municipality is seeking applications for the permanent position of Superintendent, Urban Forestry within the Road Operations and Construction division of Transportation and Public Works. We encourage applications from qualified African Nova Scotians, racially visible persons, women in non-traditional positions, persons with disabilities and Aboriginal persons. HRM Encourages applicants to self-identify.

Under the direction of the Manager, Road Operations & Construction, the Superintendent, Urban Forestry is responsible for the coordination and management of diverse cross-functional and multi professional teams tasked with Urban Forest Master Plan (UFMP) implementation. The work is project based and includes the ongoing development of multi-year tree planting strategies, urban forest policies, by-laws, procedures, regulations and public education projects.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Serves as primary technical resource contact for the disciplines of arboriculture and urban forestry.
  • Provides Project management of broad-scope exercises such as master planning and management planning, requiring collaboration/coordination with diverse groups of external consultants, public, political, professional, and staff functions, interests, and stakeholders;
  • Oversees Policy development through the coordination of team efforts encompassing:
    • Research and stakeholder consultation
    • Process, procedural reviews and operational (re-)engineering review
    • Financial analyses including cost-benefit analyses; budget/project costing development and recommendations
    • Coordination of inter-departmental/inter-agency working groups/committees and public and legal consultations
    • Report and discussion paper preparation and presentations
    • By-law development and implementation planning
    • Program/policy assessment including pre- and post-implementation quantitative and qualitative survey methodology;
  • Coordinates and implements various HRM tree planting; conducts professional assessments and inspections and provides professional recommendations and advice on public trees.  Prepares related reports for council;
  • Issues and monitors Tree Permits and “Letters of Permission” related to By-Law T-600 Respecting Trees;
  • Prepares Request for Proposals, Contract tenders, terms of reference, transaction agreements and recommendations to Council toward the approval and execution of such agreements;
  • Coordinates the UFMP implementation with other business units to include the development, direction and co-ordination of street and park tree planting program;
  • Builds interdepartmental cooperation and effective relationships with management and staff.,
  • Facilitates learning in the organization and public as it relates to UFMP implementation;
  • Facilitates effective planning processes, action results based plans, maximizing use of available resources and uses innovation to access new resources while monitoring results and adjusting accordingly;
  • Ensures service levels are delivered in the most efficient and effective way including analyzing alternative service delivery methods, trend analysis and policy development;
  • Fosters the development of highly qualified and competent arborist staff.
  • Exercises a high degree of effective delegation of authority and effective decision- making expected at the Management level.
  • Assists in Emergency Management Response related activities
  • Provides effective Human Resources Management, administering Human Resources programs and other HRM policies.
  • Creates and maintains a positive work environment that is conducive to high morale and performance.
  • Complies with all applicable codes and legislation, including occupational health and safety, WHMIS, and hazardous substance programs ensuring the maintenance of a healthy and safe workplace.
  • Ensures staff works in an safe, effective and efficient manner, working within the guidelines set in Human Rights Act and OH&S regulations.

QUALIFICATIONS 
Education & Experience 

  • Post-secondary degree in Urban Planning, Urban Forestry, Environmental Management, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Resource Studies or related degree from a recognized institution and/or professional degree/designation. i.e. ISA Certified Arborist;
  • A minimum of five (5) years in the direct management of Urban / Forest Stands; within a municipal or institutional unionized environment is an asset;
  • Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-disciplinary projects;
  • Sound knowledge and experience in the areas of inter-business unit facilitation, coordination, and policy and process/procedure development, to achieve results, negotiation, facilitation, and customer service excellence.

Technical/Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities 

  • Thorough knowledge of current trends/needs in sustainable urban forest management, environmental protection and municipal service delivery;
  • Thorough knowledge of urban and spatial planning principles and practices in context of management of municipal urban forests;
  • Thorough knowledge of relevant planning legislation and procedures;
  • General knowledge of the Urban Forest Master Plan in Halifax Regional Municipality;
  • General knowledge of Canadian Municipal procurement policies;
  • Strong knowledge and demonstrated experience of budget preparation and monitoring techniques;
  • General knowledge of occupational health, safety, environmental, planning, development and other applicable municipal, provincial and federal legislation;
  • General knowledge of inter-relationships with other governmental agencies or related disciplines (site development, landscaping, storm water management, site analysis);
  • Working knowledge of software i.e. MS Word, Excel, Outlook, GIS, etc.;
  • Demonstrated tact and diplomacy, both with internal and external clients.
  • Demonstrated high degree of professionalism and confidentiality

SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants may be required to complete an employment security screening check.

PLEASE NOTE– Testing may be conducted as a component of the selection process to assess technical and job specific knowledge. Candidates, who are selected for testing, may be tested in a group setting, scheduled at the employer’s discretion.

COMPETENCIES: Analytical Thinking; Communication; Customer Service; Flexibility; Initiative; Networking/Relationship Building; Organization and Planning; Organizational Awareness; Team Leadership; Partnering; Risk Management; Valuing Diversity

WORK STATUS:  Permanent, full time
 
HOURS OF WORK:  Regular hours of work are Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
 
SALARY:  Non union, P3 Level, $88,000 - 110,000, commensurate with experience
 
WORK LOCATION:  3825 MacKintosh Street, Halifax
 
CLOSING DATE:  Applications will be received up to midnight on Thursday, July 5, 2018
 
We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for interview/testing will be contacted. 
 
During the recruitment process, applicants have the right to request an accommodation. Applicants invited to participate in an assessment process (such as an interview or testing) and who require accommodation, should discuss their needs with the Recruiter when invited to the assessment process.
 
Qualified HRM retirees may also be considered for competitions. In these circumstances, a form of employment may be offered, including term and/or contract employment.