General Manager of Community and Development Services

Leadership and Strategy:

• Provide effective leadership to departmental teams by overseeing recruitment, onboarding, performance management, training, and employee development in accordance with County policies and procedures.
• Lead departmental strategic and business planning, ensuring alignment with Council’s priorities and corporate objectives.
• Oversee development and administration of department at operating and capital budget, including long-range financial planning.
• Champion continuous improvement, customer service excellence, and innovation across departmental operations.
• Provide regular reports and updates to Council, committees, and Boards, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Lead special projects and strategic initiatives as assigned by the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).

Governance and Compliance:

• Ensure departmental compliance with all applicable County bylaws, policies, and provincial legislation.
• Lead policy and bylaw development, working collaboratively with legal counsel as required.
• Oversee and manage the preparation of reports, bylaws, and policy recommendations for Council and relevant committees.

Communication and Engagement:

• Foster effective communication and relationships with Council, staff, external agencies, industry stakeholders, and ratepayers.
• Support public engagement and information sharing through the County website, newsletters, and media releases in coordination with Communications.
• Represent the County at meetings, conferences, and inter-municipal partnership initiatives.

Functional Oversight

Development Services:

• Oversee the Manager of Planning and Development Services; establish objectives and monitor results of the Planning and Development department.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of Planning and Development with respect to policies, programs, and resources to stated objectives of the department; review issues and make recommendations to the CAO.
• Work with the department to generate Key Performance Indicators for application workflow and bylaw / permit issuance; review processes and implement changes to provide a high quality of customer service.
• Translate technical knowledge into communication materials to all stakeholders.
• Establish objectives, oversee, and monitor administration and development of County Planning and Development, and Safety Codes policies and procedures.
• Organize and determine applications and projects for Municipal Planning Commission and Council review and approval.
• Establish objectives, oversee, and monitor the creation and results of all long-range land use planning updates and initiatives, including any revisions to the Municipal Development Plan, Inter-municipal Development Plans, and Land Use Bylaw .
• Establish and maintain positive inter-municipal relationships; facilitate and coordinate Inter-municipal Development Plans, Mutual Servicing Agreements to provide mutual services and partnerships for the County.
• Oversee and monitor preparation of agendas and minutes of the Municipal Planning Commission.
• Attend meetings and functions of Council and the Municipal Planning Commission, as required.
• Direct the preparation, implementation, and processing of all applications / requests for permits, certificates, and authorizations under the Land Use Bylaw and related Municipal bylaws.
• Oversee and monitor enforcement provisions of the Land Use Bylaw.
• Oversee contracted services utilized for evaluation of plans and subdivisions.
• Respond to ratepayers’ and developers’ concerns, inquiries, and service requests; liaise with regulatory agencies.

Community Services:

• Oversee the Community Services Coordinator; establish objectives, oversee, and monitor results of Parks, Open Space, Trails, Community Enhancement, Cemeteries, and Library Services including creation of bylaws and policies, programs, services, legislated duties, education / awareness activities, and reporting processes.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of Parks, Open Space, Community Enhancement, Cemeteries, and Library Services with respect to policies, programs, and resources to stated objectives of the department; review issues and make recommendations to the CAO.
• Ensure that policy and budget recommendations are made to the CAO and SLT in accordance with the County’s Open Space, Recreation, and Culture Master Plan.

Fire, Emergency, and Protective Services:

• Oversee the Protective Services Department, including Fire, Emergency, and Peace Officer Services.
• Ensure the County follows the Alberta Peace Officer Act; including its Standard Operating Procedures, Protective Services policies, and the duties carried out by the Senior Peace Officer.
• Be an active member of the Wheatland Regional Emergency Management Partnership.
• Ensure relationships between Administration and Fire Associations / Departments is timely and professional.
• Closely monitor both the Peace Officer and Fire and Emergency Services program performance in accordance with the Acts, Plans, the departmental Business Plan, and Council’s Strategic Plan.

Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S):

• Evaluate the effectiveness of the current OH&S policies, programs, and resources to stated objectives of the department; review issues and make recommendations to the CAO; work with the CAO and other senior management members to ensure appropriate workplace health and safety objectives are met and provide guidance to Health and Safety regarding the planning and implementation of occupational health and safety initiatives.
• Maintain own compliance with OH&S and ensure all applicable employees follow OH&S including employee attendance at regular safety meetings, employees being properly trained in OH&S related topics and ensuring employees complete work in a safe manner.