ManagerofParksandOpenSpace JobType:Full-timePermanent JobPosting#:2026-33 ClosingDate:November6,2026 Group:Non-Union Department:CommunityServices

Location:
OwenSound,ON TheCityofOwenSoundisseekinganexperiencedandstrategicleadertoserveasManagerofParksandOpenSpace.
ReportingtotheDirectorofCommunityServices,thispositionprovidesoverallleadershipandmanagementoftheCity'spar TheManageroverseesthemaintenance,planning,development,andoperationof48parksencompassingover500acresofopenspace,aswellasGreenwoodCemetery.
Thisroleisresponsibleforensuringsafe,sustainable,andaccessiblep WhatYou’llDo Parks&OpenSpaceOperations;
- Provideleadershipandoversightforallpark,openspace,forestry,andcemeteryoperations.
- Directmaintenanceprogramsincludingturfmanagement,horticulture,sportsfields,trails,playgrounds,landscaping,snowremoval,andlittercollection.
- Overseecampgroundoperations,specialeventsupport,beautificationinitiatives,andurbanforestryactivities.
- Ensureallparks,openspaces,andcemeteryfacilitiesaresafe,attractive,andwellmaintained.
- ProvideoversightoftheCity'surbanforestryprogram.
- Leadinvasivespeciesmanagementinitiatives,includingEmeraldAshBorerandPhragmitesmanagementstrategies.
- Developproactivemaintenanceandenvironmentalmanagementprogramsthatsupportsustainabilityandoperationalefficiency.
- Ensurecompliancewithapplicableenvironmentalandsafetyregulations. ParksPlanning&Development;
- Leadparksandopenspaceplanninginitiatives,includingParksMasterPlansandlong-termdevelopmentstrategies.
- SupportimplementationoftheCity'sOfficialPlanandRecreation,ParksandFacilitiesMasterPlan.
- ReviewdevelopmentapplicationsandproviderecommendationstotheCity'sDevelopmentTeam.
- Coordinatepublicengagementactivitiesrelatedtoparksplanninganddevelopmentprojects. Budgeting&AssetManagement;




- DevelopandmanageannualoperatingandcapitalbudgetsforParksandCemeteryoperations.
- Overseecapitalprojectsandlong-terminfrastructureplanning.
- Supportongoingassetmanagementinitiativesandlifecycleplanningforparksassetsandequipment.
- ManagefleetandequipmentassignedtoParksandOpenSpaceoperations. Leadership&LabourRelations;
- Provideleadership,guidance,andsupporttosupervisorsandstaffwithinParksandCemeteryoperations.
- Establishpriorities,approveworkschedules,andoverseestaffperformance,training,anddevelopment.
- Supportrecruitment,successionplanning,andworkforcedevelopmentinitiatives.
- Advisesupervisorystaffoncollectiveagreementinterpretation,grievancehandling,andlabourrelationsmatters. CommunityPartnerships&CorporateCollaboration;
- PreparereportsandpresentationsforSeniorLeadership,Committees,andCouncil.
- RepresenttheCitywithcommunityorganizations,governmentagencies,partnerorganizations,andstakeholdergroups.
- WorkcollaborativelywithotherCitydepartmentstosupportrecreationalprogramming,specialevents,capitalprojects,andfacilitymanagementinitiatives.
- Fosterstrongrelationshipswithresidents,usergroups,contractors,andcommunitypartners. WhatWe’reLookingFor Education&Experience;
- Post-secondarydegreeinHorticulture,Forestry,ParksPlanning,EnvironmentalStudies,LandscapeManagement,orarelateddiscipline.
- Minimumfive(5)yearsofprogressiveleadershipexperienceinurbanparks,openspace,cemetery,forestry,orrelatedmunicipaloperations.
- Experiencesupervisingstaffinaunionizedenvironment.




- Municipalexperienceisstronglypreferred. PreferredCertifications(Assets)
- IntermediateorAdvancedParksPractitionerdesignation.
- CertifiedGroundsTechnician.
- PlaygroundPractitionercertification.
- CemeteryOperationsorCemeteryManagementcertification.
- SportsTurfMaintenancecertification.
- ProjectManagementCertificationorPMPdesignation.
- ISACertifiedArboristMunicipalSpecialist.
- HealthandSafetycertificationsrelatedtomunicipaloperations. Skills&Competencies;
- Extensiveknowledgeofparks,openspace,cemetery,urbanforestry,sportsfield,playground,andlandscapemanagementpractices.
- Strongunderstandingofapplicablelegislation,includingtheOccupationalHealthandSafetyAct,AccessibilityforOntarianswithDisabilitiesAct,TechnicalStandardsandSafetyAct,Occupiers'LiabilityAct,Funeral,Buriala
- Excellentleadership,communication,publicrelations,andstakeholderengagementskills.
- Experiencewithparksplanning,publicconsultation,andstrategicprojectmanagement.
- Strongfinancialacumen,budgeting,andassetmanagementexperience.
- ProficiencywithMicrosoftOffice,computerizedmaintenancemanagementsystems(CMMS),andrelatedsoftwareapplications.
- AbilitytoprepareandpresentreportstoseniorleadershipandCouncil.
- Excellentorganizational,analytical,problem-solving,anddecision-makingskills. OtherRequirements
- ValidGClassdriver'slicenceandaccesstoareliablevehicle.
- Abilitytoworkevenings,weekends,andirregularhourstosupportspecialevents,emergencysituations,interments,meetings,andoperationalrequirements.
- Abilitytoperformsiteinspectionsinvariousweatherconditions.
- Strongcommitmenttocustomerservice,communityengagement,andcontinuousimprovement. Compensation&Benefits;
- Wage:$62.11-$75.74hourly,35hoursperweek.
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Perks:
Com

📌 Manager of Parks and Open Space (Owen Sound)
🏢 Owen Sound
📍 Owen Sound