Director of Public Works & Community Services

Working for City of Thorold By joining the City of Thorold team, you will be choosing to become part of the fastest growing municipality in the beautiful Niagara region. Working with us means a great pension, benefits package and a supportive and collaborative team environment. We invest in our people and prioritize creating opportunities for our employees to learn and grow in their roles. Primary Function Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, the Director of Public Works and Community Services is responsible for leading, directing and engaging the Public Works and Community Services department.

This position acts as part of the Senior Management Team involved in the formulation and execution of the City’s strategic plan. Specifically, this position is responsible for the oversight of engineering, infrastructure, public works, cemeteries, arena, parks and recreation services. Duties and Responsibilities Department Administration Leads and directs the strategic, general and financial management, and day-to-day administration of Public Works and Community Services including roads, structures, water/wastewater, arena, parks, cemeteries, and recreation Oversees cemeteries, parks, public works, water/wastewater and engineering functions ensuring all legislative, regulatory and reporting requirements are met, that appropriate cross-functional and back-up contingencies are in place, and that taxpayers, customers, consultants and staff are dealt with in a well-informed and customer-first service manner.

Attends Council, Council/Committee, community stakeholder, and other public meetings as required; prepares reports and provides recommendations to support informed decision-making Delivers presentations and provides advice and guidance on roads, structures, water and wastewater, arenas, parks, cemeteries, and recreation matters and strategies. Monitors emerging trends, as well as significant new and pending legislation and regulatory guidelines, and advises on their potential impacts on the municipality within the assigned portfolio.

Institutes quality assurance and continuous improvement practices. Regularly reviews and evaluates administrative and service delivery processes within areas supervised and on community services processes and systems with a view to ensuring practices are coordinated between departments, appropriate stakeholder consultation occurs, and that practices are innovative/contemporary, meet the needs of the Municipality, and reflect customer service excellence and value.

Financial and Asset Management Manages and leads the departmental budget, which includes: Operating Budget, Capital Budget, Long Range Capital Budget, General Levy Forecast and Operating Budget Forecast. Seeks innovative ways to deal with financial restraint and to achieve operational efficiencies. Responsible for ensuring departmental budgets are adhered to Contributes to the development of the corporate budget to achieve an optimal balance between cost and levels of service.

People Leadership Provides leadership to the Public Works and Community Services team to ensure that the management and delivery of services are aligned through the establishment and harmonization of goals, priorities, work plans and the provision of strategic advice and direction. Assesses departmental staffing needs, and reviews and recommends complement amendments and organizational structure changes, participates in management recruitment processes, and makes effective hiring and/or promotion recommendations/decisions.

Provides leadership to the department management team, including staff development, performance management/review, coaching and mentoring, staff engagement, rewards and recognition, health and safety and discipline. Undertakes ongoing evaluation of direct reports and determines their capabilities in order to ensure appropriate development plans are put into place; Guides and develops people through performance management, career planning, and dev