ManagerofParksandOpenSpace

JobType:Full-timePermanent

JobPosting#:

ClosingDate:November6,2026

Group:Non-Union

Department:CommunityServices

Location:OwenSound,ON

TheCityofOwenSoundisseekinganexperiencedandstrategicleadertoserveasManagerofParksandOpenSpace .ReportingtotheDirectorofCommunityServices,thispositionprovidesoverallleadershipandmanagementoftheCity'sparks,openspaces,urbanforestryprogram,RiverDistrictbeautificationinitiatives,andGreenwoodCemetery.

TheManageroverseesthemaintenance,planning,development,andoperationof48parksencompassingover500acresofopenspace,aswellasGreenwoodCemetery.Thisroleisresponsibleforensuringsafe,sustainable,andaccessibleparksandopenspaceswhileprovidingleadershipinassetmanagement,capitalplanning,environmentalstewardship,andcommunityengagement.Thispostingisforanexistingvacancy.

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,BurialandCremationServicesAct,andrelatedregulations.
- 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.
- Perks: Comprehensiveemployer-paidExtendedHealth&Dentalplan;,andOMERSdefinedbenefitpensionplan.

WhyJoinUs?

Joinacollaborativeandforward-thinkingorganizationwhereyourleadershipwilldirectlyinfluencethequality,sustainability,andvibrancyofOwenSound'sparks,openspaces,urbanforest,andcommunitygatheringplaces.You'llplayakeyroleinenhancingresidents'qualityoflifewhileshapingthefutureofsomeoftheCity'smostvaluedpublicassets.

WhyOwenSound?

OwenSoundoffersurbanamenitieswithnaturalbeauty,avibrantartsandculturescene,extensiverecreationalopportunities,andexceptionalaccesstotheshoresofGeorgianBay.It'saplacewherecommunity,innovation,andqualityoflifecometogether.

EqualOpportunityEmployerStatement:

TheCityofOwenSoundvaluesdiversityandiscommittedtoprovidinganinclusiveworkplace.WewillaccommodatetheneedsofapplicantsinaccordancewiththeHumanRightsCodeandtheAccessibilityfor OntarianswithDisabilitiesActthroughoutthehiringprocess.

TheCityofOwenSoundiscommittedtoafair,transparent,andpeople-centredrecruitmentprocess.Whilemoderntoolsmayassistinadministrativetasks,allhiringdecisionsaremadebypeople ,andeveryapplicationisreviewedbyamemberofourHumanResourcesteam.

Wedonotuseautomateddecision-makingorartificialintelligencetoolstoscreenoutoreliminateapplicants.Anytechnologyusedinthehiringprocessisdesignedsolelytosupportefficiency-nottoreplacehumanjudgmentorevaluateapplicantsuitability.

PrivacyStatement:

Wethankallapplicantsfortheirinterest;onlythoseselectedforaninterviewwillbecontacted.PersonalinformationiscollectedundertheauthorityoftheMunicipalActforthepurposeofcandidateselection.ItwillbemaintainedinaccordancewiththeMunicipalFreedomofInformationandProtectionofPrivacyAct.

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