Superintendent Park Board (Urban Forestry)

Requisition ID: 46316 

Organization

Vancouver is consistently ranked as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Recognized among BC’s Top Employers and Canada’s Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver is seeking colleagues who can help advance our core commitments to exceptional public service, sustainability, equity, and an outstanding quality of life for all residents.

With a strong commitment to being a City of Reconciliation, we invite you to join our dedicated team and become part of an innovative, inclusive, and engaging workplace. A career with the City of Vancouver and within the broader public service, offers meaningful work where you play a key role in ensuring equitable access to services, upholding ethical governance, and supporting the needs of citizens with integrity and dedication.

Main Purpose and Function

The Superintendent of Urban Forestry (Stanley Park) is responsible for managing a team that undertake various forest stewardship responsibilities in Stanley Park, including, but not limited to: tree pruning; tree removals; tree planting; tree and forest watering; invasive species removal and forest restoration; wildfire risk mitigation; wildfire preparation and response (not suppression); storm response; and tree risk mitigation. The role identifies emerging forest health and forest management challenges and advances operational programs to mitigate risks and support long-term stewardship.

The Superintendent is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations and maintenance of Urban Forestry Services in Stanley Park and managing seasonal staffing levels to suit emerging and dynamic forest stewardship needs. The superintendent ensures work is completed in a safe, efficient and cost-effective manner. This work is distinguished by the expanded knowledge and skill requirements related to forest resource management and arboriculture practice.

The position reports to the City Arborist who reports to the Associate Director, Parks – Urban Forestry / Specialty Parks and managing a team of approximately 10-14 staff. The Superintendent undertakes all duties in a manner that contributes to Park Board initiatives such as the Urban Forest Strategy, Tree Risk Inspection Policy, Biodiversity Strategy and VanPlay as well as City-wide goals related to Reconciliation, Climate Action, equity and risk management. The role builds collaborative relationships with key contacts with local Host-Nations - the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh (MST). In addition, the role also supports other Park Board department leads and business interests / stakeholders within Stanley Park, such as the Vancouver Aquarium and other businesses.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervises staff including hiring, performance management, discipline, support, coaching, training and development and representing the employer in the grievance process
• Plans various work programs; establishes work schedules and procedures and coordinates activities with other work units
• Builds relationships with customer and clients to improve service levels and increase customer satisfaction
• Performs crew audits to ensure compliance with safety, environmental and quality standards
• Conducts job costing and bid tendering
• Reviews various paperwork/invoices and manages budgets
• Enhances operational efficiencies and the management and coordination of day-to-day operations and maintenance of the Urban Forestry program in Stanley Park
• Establishes and maintains effective communication and coordination with other divisions and departments in the Park Board, the City, MST, consultants, stakeholders, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and the general public
• Set priorities for maintaining and coordinating the use of equipment with supervisors and superintendents in other divisions
• Participates in Park Board team meetings, leads meetings, and conducts staff meetings and crew talks
• Provides supervision and leadership to staff including hiring, training, coaching, and performance management
• Develop plans and set priorities for strategic forest management and risk mitigation for long-term forest health and sustainable forest management
• Responding to service requests for forest and tree-related matters in Stanley Park
• Other duties/responsibilities as required

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Graduation from a university, institute of technology or college of urban forestry, or parks management, supplemented by courses in forest management, arboriculture, project management and supervisory training or an equivalent combination of training and experience
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years of supervisory experience, preferably within the public sector and union environment
• Registered Professional Forester designation preferred
• ISA Certified Arborist designation with TRAQ endorsement preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge and understanding of urban forestry operations, maintenance and effective customer service
• Good working knowledge of tree identification
• Knowledge of Urban Forestry and Forest Management principles, practices and techniques
• Considerable knowledge of HR management, including recruiting, dealing with discipline, representing the Employer at grievance hearings and resolve/deny grievances
• Considerable knowledge of and ability to simultaneously manage and review a number of projects
• Considerable knowledge of project management
• Good knowledge of and ability to work with Civic, Provincial and Federal levels of government
• Good knowledge and experience relating to Federal and Provincial legislation, acts and regulations related to urban forestry and the environment
• Knowledge of methods and requirements to provide excellent customer service
• Knowledge of pertinent WCB and OH&S standards
• Thorough background in arboriculture operations and techniques that employ best practices to retain tree health and physiology
• Ability to apply policies and collective agreements working in consultation with Human Resources
• Ability to work with community groups and stakeholders
• Ability to prepare comprehensive reports and studies
• Ability to conduct extensive technical field and literature research
• Ability to estimate time and material requirements and costs related to program proposals
• Ability to provide feedback, coaching and mentoring to challenge and develop employees
• Ability to achieve results, set challenging goals, prioritize tasks, overcome obstacles, accept accountability, set standards and responsibilities, provide leadership with commitment to excellence
• Ability to plan for, assign work and supervise a diverse workgroup and/or contractors engaged in urban forestry operations
• Excellent knowledge of budget management
• Well-developed interpersonal skills including ability to coach and train others
• Strong verbal and written 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 own goals and objectives of all parties
• Proficient in standard Microsoft business software; PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Word
• Some knowledge and familiarity with SAP financial reporting software desirable

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

Affiliation: Exempt 

Employment Type: Regular Full Time 

Position Start Date: July, 2026 

Salary Information: Pay Grade RNG-SPT: $106,521 to $133,152 per annum

Application Close: June 7, 2026

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. 

The City of Vancouver acknowledges that it is situated on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation).More about unceded traditional territories

Before you click Apply now

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.