Superintendent, Park Board

Requisition ID: 40202 

Organization

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable cities and is working towards being the greenest city in the world. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

Main Purpose and Function

The two Superintendents are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations and maintenance of their own portfolio, consisting of either Beaches and Downtown Parks or Stanley Park. This includes horticulture and turf management, managing staff (hiring, termination, evaluation, discipline, support, coaching, training and development) and representing the employer in the grievance process; establishing work schedules and procedures, coordinating activities with other work units; building relationships with customer and stakeholders to improve service levels; performing crew audits to ensure compliance with safety, environmental and quality standards; conducting job costing and bid tendering and reviewing various paperwork/invoices.  The successful candidates are expected to exercise independent judgment and initiative, including providing expertise to other divisions and participating in the development of policies and long range plans.

We are currently hiring for 2 Superintendents for the following portfolios:

1. Stanley Park
2. Beaches and Downtown Parks

Position shifts are as follows:

• Monday through Friday, 7:00am start

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• The main focus is to enhance operational efficiencies, management and coordination of the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the portfolio
• Plans, schedules, prioritizes and manages a crew of skilled and semi-skilled maintenance staff to maintain passive turf, boulevards, trails, landscaped areas, athletic fields, other landscaped areas and facilities
• Establishes and maintains effective communication and coordination among staff, with other divisions and departments in the Park Board, the City, consultants, and contractors
• Sets priorities for maintenance of and coordinates the use of equipment with supervisors and superintendents in other divisions
• Participates in Park Board team meetings, conducts staff meetings and presents crew talks
• Provides leadership to staff, including hiring and termination, discipline, performance and attendance management, coaching, training, development and guidance and represents the employer in the grievance process
  • Provides coaching on a timely basis; develops goals and expectations, identifies training and development, including all aspects OH&S technical and administrative requirements
  • Meets with employees to resolve disputes and administers appropriate collective agreements, hears grievance meetings at step 1 of the grievance process and in consultation with superiors has the authority to resolve grievances at that step
  • Establishes and maintains communication with staff to discuss policies, administrative issues and share information, programs plans and problems solve around difficulties encountered working in a challenging environment
  • Sets performance goals and coaches employees to achieve desired results
  • Establishes and monitors attendance management goals within the group; meets with employees to address and resolve attendance problems
• Provides input into staffing requirements to ensure efficient use of budget allocation
• Oversees contractors and consultants, ensures goods and services are provided within the set parameters of the contract, identifies discrepancies and makes recommendations to address problems identified
• Monitors operating and capital budgets, and provides input and recommendations into the budget process
• Maintains operational and administrative records, completes work orders and requests, keeping daily attendance records, checking time sheets for accuracy and completeness, authorizing overtime, vacation monitor expenditures to keep projects on schedule and within budget
• Responsible for keeping maintenance and work records and developing, implementing and monitoring work schedules
• Responsible for ensuring safe work procedures are in place and followed and investigates and represents the employer, as required, in OH&S Committee
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications
Education and Experience:

• Graduation from a university, institute of technology or college of horticulture and parks management, supplemented by courses in horticulture, arboriculture, project management and supervisory training or an equivalent combination of training and experience
• Minimum of 3-5 years of supervisory experience, preferably within the public sector and union environment
• Experience in budget management
• Demonstrated experience in HR management, including recruiting, dealing with discipline, representing the Employer at grievance hearings and resolve/deny grievances
• Experience in turf, horticulture and park management
• Demonstrated experience in managing and reviewing multiple projects simultaneously

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge and understanding of park operations, maintenance and effective customer service
• Excellent knowledge of budget management
• Good knowledge of and demonstrated ability to work with civic, provincial and federal levels of government
• Knowledge of pertinent WCB and OH&S standards
• A high level of personal and professional excellence, including the ability to set priorities and meet deadlines
• Reliable, punctual, adaptable and tactful
• Well-developed interpersonal skills including ability to coach and train others
• Strong communications skills with the ability to formulate and articulate ideas and opinions
• Excellent ability to resolve conflict and to lead problems solving in an inclusive positive manner with the ability to articulate goals and objectives of all parties
• Ability to plan for, assign work and manage a diverse workgroup and/or contractors engaged in park maintenance
• Ability to work constructively and consultative with staff in the organization, various levels of government, private and public organizations and residents
• Ability to work under pressure and handle multiple tasks and changing priorities within assigned time frames
• Ability to prepare reports
• Ability to manage organizational changes, anticipating future events and determine service delivery alternatives to ensure an efficient use of resources
• Sound judgment and ability to effectively and professionally represent the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation

Drivers License and Record Checks

• Possession of a valid Class 5 Driver's License

The City’s COVID-19 vaccination policy is currently suspended and as a result, vaccination against COVID-19 is not required at this time. However, should circumstances change and the City deem it necessary to re-introduce such policy, you may be required to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be eligible to continue performing your duties.

Business Unit/Department: Board of Parks & Recreation (1400) 

Affiliation: Exempt 

Employment Type: Regular Full Time 

Position Start Date: June, 2024

Salary Information: Pay Grade RNG-SPT: $100,417 to $125,521 per annum

Vacancies: 2

Application Close: April 28, 2024

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion. 

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Once you start your application you can save your work and leave the applications page, however please remember to submit your profile to the specific job requisition before the posting closing date.

In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx. 5-10 minutes. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a summary of skills and experience related to the position.