At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage parks, open spaces, and community initiatives for Owen Sound.
- Company: Join the City of Owen Sound, a vibrant community-focused organization.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, and a pension plan.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for community engagement and environmental stewardship.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on community quality of life and sustainability.
- Qualifications: Post-secondary degree in relevant fields and leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 129 - 157 $ per hour.
- Managerof Parksand Open Space
- Job
- Type: Full-time Permanent
- Job Posting#:2026-33
- Closing
- Date: November6,2026
- Group: Non-Union
- Department: Community Services
The Cityof Owen Soundisseekinganexperiencedandstrategicleadertoserveas Managerof Parksand Open Space .
Reportingtothe Directorof Community Services, thispositionprovidesoverallleadershipandmanagementofthe City'sparks, openspaces, urbanforestryprogram, River Districtbeautificationinitiatives, and Greenwood Cemetery.
The Manageroverseesthemaintenance, planning, development, andoperationof48parksencompassingover500acresofopenspace, aswellas Greenwood Cemetery.
Thisroleisresponsibleforensuringsafe, sustainable, andaccessibleparksandopenspaceswhileprovidingleadershipinassetmanagement, capitalplanning, environmentalstewardship, andcommunityengagement.
Thispostingisforanexistingvacancy.
- What You’ll Do
- Parks&Open Space Operations
- Provideleadershipandoversightforallpark, openspace, forestry, andcemeteryoperations.
- Directmaintenanceprogramsincludingturfmanagement, horticulture, sportsfields, trails, playgrounds, landscaping, snowremoval, andlittercollection.
- Overseecampgroundoperations, specialeventsupport, beautificationinitiatives, andurbanforestryactivities.
- Ensureallparks, openspaces, andcemeteryfacilitiesaresafe, attractive, andwellmaintained.
- Provideoversightofthe City'surbanforestryprogram.
- Leadinvasivespeciesmanagementinitiatives, including Emerald Ash Borerand Phragmitesmanagementstrategies.
- Developproactivemaintenanceandenvironmentalmanagementprogramsthatsupportsustainabilityandoperationalefficiency.
- Ensurecompliancewithapplicableenvironmentalandsafetyregulations.
- Parks Planning&Development
- Leadparksandopenspaceplanninginitiatives, including Parks Master Plansandlong-termdevelopmentstrategies.
- Supportimplementationofthe City's Official Planand Recreation, Parksand Facilities Master Plan.
- Reviewdevelopmentapplicationsandproviderecommendationstothe City's Development Team.
- Coordinatepublicengagementactivitiesrelatedtoparksplanninganddevelopmentprojects.
- Budgeting&Asset Management
- Developandmanageannualoperatingandcapitalbudgetsfor Parksand Cemeteryoperations.
- Overseecapitalprojectsandlong-terminfrastructureplanning.
- Supportongoingassetmanagementinitiativesandlifecycleplanningforparksassetsandequipment.
- Managefleetandequipmentassignedto Parksand Open Spaceoperations.
- Leadership&Labour Relations
- Provideleadership, guidance, andsupporttosupervisorsandstaffwithin Parksand Cemeteryoperations.
- Establishpriorities, approveworkschedules, andoverseestaffperformance, training, anddevelopment.
- Supportrecruitment, successionplanning, andworkforcedevelopmentinitiatives.
- Advisesupervisorystaffoncollectiveagreementinterpretation, grievancehandling, andlabourrelationsmatters.
- Community Partnerships&Corporate Collaboration
- Preparereportsandpresentationsfor Senior Leadership, Committees, and Council.
- Representthe Citywithcommunityorganizations, governmentagencies, partnerorganizations, andstakeholdergroups.
- Workcollaborativelywithother Citydepartmentstosupportrecreationalprogramming, specialevents, capitalprojects, andfacilitymanagementinitiatives.
- Fosterstrongrelationshipswithresidents, usergroups, contractors, andcommunitypartners.
- What We’re Looking For
Education&Experience
- Post-secondarydegreein Horticulture, Forestry, Parks Planning, Environmental Studies, Landscape Management, orarelateddiscipline.
- Minimumfive(5)yearsofprogressiveleadershipexperienceinurbanparks, openspace, cemetery, forestry, orrelatedmunicipaloperations.
- Experiencesupervisingstaffinaunionizedenvironment.
- Municipalexperienceisstronglypreferred.
- Preferred Certifications(Assets)
- Intermediateor Advanced Parks Practitionerdesignation.
- Certified Grounds Technician.
- Playground Practitionercertification.
- Cemetery Operationsor Cemetery Managementcertification.
- Sports Turf Maintenancecertification.
- Project Management Certificationor PMPdesignation.
- ISACertified Arborist Municipal Specialist.
- Healthand Safetycertificationsrelatedtomunicipaloperations.
Skills&Competencies
- Extensiveknowledgeofparks, openspace, cemetery, urbanforestry, sportsfield, playground, andlandscapemanagementpractices.
- Strongunderstandingofapplicablelegislation, includingthe Occupational Healthand Safety Act, Accessibilityfor Ontarianswith Disabilities Act, Technical Standardsand Safety Act, Occupiers'Liability Act, Funeral, Burialand Cremation Services Act, andrelatedregulations.
- Excellentleadership, communication, publicrelations, andstakeholderengagementskills.
- Experiencewithparksplanning, publicconsultation, andstrategicprojectmanagement.
- Strongfinancialacumen, budgeting, andassetmanagementexperience.
- Proficiencywith Microsoft Office, computerizedmaintenancemanagementsystems(CMMS), andrelatedsoftwareapplications.
- Abilitytoprepareandpresentreportstoseniorleadershipand Council.
- Excellentorganizational, analytical, problem-solving, anddecision-makingskills.
- Other Requirements
- Valid GClassdriver'slicenceandaccesstoareliablevehicle.
- Abilitytoworkevenings, weekends, andirregularhourstosupportspecialevents, emergencysituations, interments, meetings, andoperationalrequirements.
- Abilitytoperformsiteinspectionsinvariousweatherconditions.
- Strongcommitmenttocustomerservice, communityengagement, andcontinuousimprovement.
Compensation&Benefits
Wage: $62.11-$75.74hourly,35hoursperweek.
Benefits: Comprehensiveemployer-paid Extended Health&Dentalplan, and OMERSdefinedbenefitpensionplan.
Why Join Us?
Joinacollaborativeandforward-thinkingorganizationwhereyourleadershipwilldirectlyinfluencethequality, sustainability, andvibrancyof Owen Sound'sparks, openspaces, urbanforest, andcommunitygatheringplaces.
You'llplayakeyroleinenhancingresidents'qualityoflifewhileshapingthefutureofsomeofthe City'smostvaluedpublicassets.
Why Owen Sound?
Owen Soundoffersurbanamenitieswithnaturalbeauty, avibrantartsandculturescene, extensiverecreationalopportunities, andexceptionalaccesstotheshoresof Georgian Bay.
It'saplacewherecommunity, innovation, andqualityoflifecometogether.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Statement
The Cityof Owen Soundvaluesdiversityandiscommittedtoprovidinganinclusiveworkplace.
Wewillaccommodatetheneedsofapplicantsinaccordancewiththe Human Rights Codeandthe Accessibilityfor Ontarianswith Disabilities Actthroughoutthehiringprocess.
The Cityof Owen Soundiscommittedtoafair, transparent, andpeople-centredrecruitmentprocess.
Whilemoderntoolsmayassistinadministrativetasks, allhiringdecisionsaremadebypeople , andeveryapplicationisreviewedbyamemberofour Human Resourcesteam.
Wedonotuseautomateddecision-makingorartificialintelligencetoolstoscreenoutoreliminateapplicants.
Anytechnologyusedinthehiringprocessisdesignedsolelytosupportefficiency-nottoreplacehumanjudgmentorevaluateapplicantsuitability.
Privacy
Statement
Wethankallapplicantsfortheirinterest; onlythoseselectedforaninterviewwillbecontacted.
Personalinformationiscollectedundertheauthorityofthe Municipal Actforthepurposeofcandidateselection.
Itwillbemaintainedinaccordancewiththe Municipal Freedomof Informationand Protectionof Privacy Act.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Manager of Parks and Open Space in Owen Sound employer: Owen Sound
Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island (TWEPI) is an exceptional employer that champions regional tourism while fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment. With a focus on employee growth, TWEPI offers opportunities for professional development in the vibrant tourism sector, all while enjoying the beautiful landscapes of Windsor-Essex. Join a passionate team dedicated to enhancing group travel experiences and making a meaningful impact in the community.
