OPERATIONS MANAGER

THE OPPORTUNITY

We have an excellent opportunity for an Operations Manager to join a growing, rural municipality in Southern Alberta. This position is great for someone who is passionate about the outdoors with close access to a large national park to ski, hike, bike and so much more.

Reporting directly to the Director of Operations & Infrastructure, the Operations Manager will be responsible for the coordination and execution of the operational aspects of the Town’s Operations programs. This person will lead the team responsible for the maintenance of road and utility infrastructure, facilities, parks and open spaces, cemeteries, and fleet/equipment, and be the process champion on the Operations Department Safety Program.

THE ORGANIZATION

Pincher Creek has a population of 3,642, is located East of the Canadian Rockies, and provides a wonderful mix of rural and urban amenities. The town received its name in 1868 when a group of prospectors lost a pincer in the small creek at this location. These pincers would have been used as a device for trimming the feet of the horses and thus had some value to the group. In 1874, the South-East Mounted Police came to southern Alberta. One of them discovered the rusting tools in the creek, and they named the area Pincher Creek.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Pincher Creek is a dream destination with the Rockies at your doorstep. The possibilities are endless from hiking, fishing, wind surfing, and skiing. Pincher Creek has it all!

Mission
To advance the best interests of our community through well-planned, responsive and accountable public service.

Vision
Pincher Creek is a vibrant and welcoming community that provides opportunity and a good quality of life for all.

To learn more about the Town of Pincher Creek, visit their website at: PincherCreek.ca.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Customer Service:

• Respond efficiently and appropriately to inquiries and complaints from the public, outside agencies, government departments, and all other bodies.
• Collaborate closely with Recreation, Planning, Finance, and Corporate Services departments on cross departmental improvements and initiatives.
• Ensure contact with contractors and suppliers that provides goodwill and a positive image of the Town of Pincher Creek.

Departmental Management, Supervision and Leadership:

• Lead all areas of the Operations department including roads, utilities, facilities, fleet, solid waste, cemeteries, and parks. Collaborate with the Operations team to develop and recommend annual operational priorities, goals, work plans and objectives, ensuring alignment with strategic and corporate plans.
• Lead the development and monitoring of performance measures for all Operations department levels of service.
• Provide operational leadership and support the effectiveness and efficiency within the functional area of Operations.
• Recommend and implement efficiencies, ensuring that change management best practices are followed when introducing new processes or concepts.
• Prepare reports, make recommendations, issue reports and instructions, draft policies, procedures, and by-laws for approval by senior management and Council.
• Attend and participate in Council, committee, management, and other meetings as required, providing advice, and responding to questions.
• Provide recommendations for strategy development, corporate planning, budget development, and performance monitoring.
• Retain the services of engineering consultants or contractors to undertake various projects as approved in the annual budget.
• Work with in-house or external professional services to complete life cycle and capital projects.
• Ensure all records are assembled and input into the Town’s record management system.

Staff Management:

• Establish and maintain a high level of employee performance through:
  i. effective recruitment and selection, engagement, mentoring and coaching employees in the execution of their duties;
  ii. setting performance standards and timely assessments of competency;
  iii. monitoring performance, conducting performance evaluations, and recommending additional skill development, ensuring staff receive appropriate training and are adequately equipped.
• Ensure that the culture is supportive and aligned with the Town’s values and desired culture and leadership principles.
• Communicate regularly with Operations Coordinators to facilitate evaluation of subordinate employee performance.
• Ensure management’s direction is in accordance with the current union collective agreement and the Town of Pincher Creek policies.
• Engage staff, develop work plans, and goals, and optimize process evaluations to improve service delivery.
• In collaboration with Human Resources, conduct disciplinary action as required.
• Ensure adequate staffing levels are maintained, strategically schedule staff, and make recommendations to the Director for additional resources as required.

Financial Management:

• Carry out and follow the Town’s procurement policy and procedures for all approved purchases.
• Prepare various tenders and/or RFP for procurement of projects and equipment, negotiate contracts, and ensure supervision of construction in the performance of these contracts including authorizing payment for services within policy limits.
• Develop, implement, monitor, and control the annual Operating and Capital budgets for the Operations department.
• Authorize the purchase of supplies and materials for projects and annual operating and maintenance programs.

Departmental Safety Program:

• Promote the Town’s Health and Safety Program ensuring all staff and contractors within the business unit adhere to policies and follow safe work practices.
• Conduct regular departmental safety meetings that complement the Town’s overall Health & Safety Program.
• Review and investigate all incident reports for the Operations department, and implement remedial actions as required.
• Ensure staff are adequately trained.

Road Right-of-Ways:

•  Road right-of-ways include roads, curbs, sidewalks, boulevards, signage, and street lighting.
• Establish, oversee, and maintain infrastructure maintenance programs ensuring that work is completed to reduce liability and/or improve public safety.
• Ensure Town owned road right-of-ways are maintained in a safe and efficient operational condition adhering to Municipal, Provincial and Federal Standards.
• Lead the development of maintenance schedules and procedures for road right-of-ways (including sidewalks), including the documentation of maintenance records.
• Ensure snow management (including sanding, plowing, and removal) for roads, Sidewalks, and parking lots is completed in an efficient, cost-effective manner while adhering to application policies.

Facilities:

• Establish, oversee, and maintain infrastructure maintenance programs ensuring that work is completed to reduce liability and/or improve public safety.
• Complete technical consultation and provide recommendations for existing or future facilities. Develop recommendations and requirements from concept to functional program through to development of lease/ buy/ build analysis.
• Ensure Town owned facilities are maintained in a safe and efficient operational condition adhering to Municipal, Provincial and Federal Standards.
• Lead the development of maintenance schedules and procedures facilities, including the documentation of maintenance records.
• Liaise regularly with Department Managers regarding facility maintenance needs.

Fleet/Equipment:

• Establish, oversee, and maintain infrastructure maintenance programs ensuring that work is completed to reduce liability and/or improve public safety.
• Collaborate with all departments and prepare and present long-range plans and forecasts for space, maintenance, vehicle, and equipment requirements.
• Ensure Town owned fleet/equipment is maintained in a safe and efficient operational condition adhering to Municipal, Provincial and Federal Standards.
• Lead the development of maintenance schedules and procedures for fleet/equipment, including the documentation of maintenance records.
• Oversee the operational efficiency and rational deployment of fleet and equipment.

Utilities:

• Utilities include water treatment, water distribution, wastewater collection, wastewater treatment, and stormwater/drainage (including creek management).
• Establish and maintain infrastructure maintenance programs ensuring that work is completed to reduce liability and/or improve public safety.
• Ensure Town owned utilities are maintained in a safe and efficient operational condition adhering to Municipal, Provincial and Federal  Standards.
• Lead the development of maintenance schedules and procedures for utilities, including the documentation of maintenance records.
• Ensure that the Town meets all obligations for utilities operating licenses.
• Ensure any work adjacent to Pincher Creek or Kettles Creek is compliant with Alberta Environment and the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

Solid Waste & Recycling:

• Ensure solid waste collection is completed efficiently in compliance with applicable bylaws.
• Collaborate with the Municipal District of Pincher Creek regarding regional recycling programs.
• Liaise with the regional landfill, as required.

Parks & Open Spaces:

• Parks & Open Spaces include greenspaces, parks, playgrounds, trails/pathways, trees, and flowerbeds.
• Establish and maintain infrastructure maintenance programs ensuring that work is completed to reduce liability and/or improve public safety.
• Ensure Town owned parks & open spaces are maintained in a safe and efficient operational condition adhering to Municipal, Provincial and Federal Standards.
• Lead the development of maintenance schedules and procedures for parks & open spaces, including the documentation of maintenance records.

Cemeteries:

• Establish and maintain infrastructure maintenance programs ensuring that work is completed to reduce liability and/or improve public safety.
• Ensure Town owned cemeteries are maintained in a safe and efficient operational condition adhering to Municipal, Provincial, and Federal Standards.
• Ensure all interments, inurnments, etc. are conducted in a timely, professional manner in accordance with Municipal, Provincial, and Federal Standards.
• Lead the development of maintenance schedules and procedures for cemeteries, including the documentation of maintenance records.
• Work in collaboration with Corporate Services for the management and scheduling of cemetery maintenance, interments, etc.
• Liaise with funeral homes as required.

Emergency Management:

• Actively participate in updates to the Municipal Emergency Response Plan, or other disaster response plans affecting the municipality.
• Actively participate in training exercises related to disaster response and/or the Emergency Coordination Centre.
• Take an active role in the Emergency Coordination Centre during emergency events, as required by the Pincher Creek Regional Emergency Management Organization.

Other Duties:

• Lead the provision of regular in person and written communication to all staff and teams.
• Assist in achieving organizational excellence through information provision, problem solving and teamwork.
• Inform the Director of critical issues/items arising relating to Operations through regular briefings and preparation of written reports and correspondence.
• Regularly inspect work sites to ensure progress and compliance with Town standards.
• Serve as a liaison for the Operations department with other divisions, departments, and outside agencies; collaborate with department  managers to resolve conflicts and ensure efficient delivery of services.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings or conferences; maintain awareness of new legislation, trends, and developments in the field of roads, utilities, fleet, parks, cemeteries, and facilities, and incorporate new developments as appropriate.
• Attend and participate in Council, committee, management, and other meetings as required, providing advice, and responding to questions.
• All other duties as assigned by the Director and within the scope of this position.

QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma (or equivalent).
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively more responsible professional municipal experience.
• Strong background in leadership, supervising people and performance management experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. Excellent computer and Microsoft Office Suite proficiency.
• Practical knowledge and understanding of the Municipal Government Act, municipal policies, procedures, and processes.
• Working knowledge of roads, drainage, utilities, environmental, facilities, parks, cemeteries, and fleet infrastructure operation and maintenance.
• Valid Class 5 Driver’s License.

ASSETS

• Professional designations/memberships with APEGA, ASET and/or APWA.
• Alberta Environment Level 2 Water and/or Wastewater Certifications.
• Working knowledge of the Certification of Recognition (COR) Safety program.
• Incident Command System certifications.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
SANDY JACOBSON | T: 780.944.1327| E:sandy.jacobson@richardsonsearch.ca |
www.richardsonsearch.ca