Chief Administrative Officer

Key Responsibilities:

Municipal Leadership, Administration and Management

• Act as the administrative head of the Municipality, performing the duties, fulfilling the responsibilities, and exercising the authority assigned by the Municipal Government Act, other enactments, and Council.
• Responsible and accountable for the overall administration and management of the Municipality, ensuring that the Municipality operates and delivers services efficiently and effectively, in compliance with relevant legislation, and in alignment with the strategic direction of Council.
• Lead, direct, support and oversee Department Directors in the administration of and management of the day-to-day operations of the Municipality.
• Oversee and direct the development/redevelopment, implementation and monitoring of bylaws, policies, procedures and practices relating to operation and management of the Municipality.

Financial Management

• Champion long-term operational and budget planning guided by Council’s strategic vision.

• Lead and oversee the development and administration of the Municipality’s operating and capital budgets.
• Oversee the financial management of Municipality (an annual combined operational and capital budget of approximately $10 million), directing operations and service delivery in a cost-effective and efficient manner
• Monitor, throughout the fiscal year, compliance with operating and capital budgets approved by Council. Ensure accurate and adequate reporting relating to the same is provided to Council regularly and in a timely manner
• Ensure appropriate reserve fund management to address and plan for future capital requirements.
• Ensure ongoing day-to-day operations are resourced appropriately and adequately, are executed to plan, and are completed within time and budget constraints.
• Authorize, in case of emergency, expenditures not previously approved by Council and report such expenditures in a timely manner.
• Oversee and direct the development, implementation and monitoring of internal financing controls to maintain continuous compliance with applicable policies, procedures and legislation.

Economic Development

• Act as the Economic Development Officer for the Municipality.
• Develop practical and achievable economic development goals for the Municipality and implement strategies and tactics to achieve such goals.
• Identify, and collaborate with key stakeholders, partners and resources to further an economic development plan focused on job creation, investment, and community growth.

• Investigate and pursue grant funding through various avenues and partnerships for the benefit of the Municipality.

Strategic Planning

• In collaboration with Council, lead the development and implementation of strategic planning initiatives.
• Lead cross-functional teams to align operations with the Council’s strategic vision, goals and objectives.

Council Advisor

• Establish and foster a trusting and respectful relationship between administration and Council, ensuring lines of communication remain open and encouraged.
• Attend all meetings of Council unless excused therefrom, and attend any meetings of boards, committees, or other bodies as required by Council.
• Ensure that minutes of council and council committee meetings are recorded and provided to council for adoption as prescribed by the Municipal Government Act.
• Keep Council apprised of social and economic trends as well as legislative or political developments that may impact the Municipality.
• In collaboration with Council, ensure appropriate development, review and revision of policies relating to Council governance.
• Support and provide guidance to Council in their general education and training relating to the roles and responsibilities as elected officials.
• Maintain a current and comprehensive understanding of applicable legislation at every level, as well as relevant programs, policies, and initiatives of the Provincial and Federal governments.
• Prepare and submit reports and recommendations as required by Council; provide comprehensive background information, define key issues, detail available decision options and explain the implications of such decisions.
• Develop and recommend bylaws, agreements, policies and programs for Council approval; implement and monitor the effectiveness of bylaws, policies, agreements, and programs and recommend revisions and improvements to Council.
• Support Council in the development, review and implementation of the Municipality’s Strategic Plan, as well as any other key planning documents including, but not limited to: Economic Development Plan, Asset Management Plan etc.

Third Party Relations and Community Engagement

• Negotiate contracts, agreements and transactions required for the effective operation of the Municipality and recommend approval to Council.
• Execute contracts on behalf of the Municipality within the financial limit established by Council.
• Act as signing authority for the Municipality; sign any order, agreement, cheque, negotiation instrument or document made or executed on behalf of the Municipality.
• As required, hire or retain legal counsel or other specialized services on behalf of the Municipality.
• Develop and maintain a strong working relationship with neighboring Municipalities and other external stakeholder groups such as community leaders, local organizations, and businesses.
• Ensure positive and productive working relationships with provincial and federal government officials are continuously maintained.
• Promote and facilitate open, effective relationships with ratepayers; ensure adequate and genuine opportunities are provided for the public to become informed of and provide input to the operations and affairs of the Municipality.
• Provide prompt, appropriate and professional response to ratepayer requests, inquiries and complaints.
• Represent the Municipality at meetings, conferences, and events; attend local community events sponsored by the municipality.
• Subject to the approval of Council, make public statements on behalf of the Municipality.

Human Resources

• Demonstrate advanced human resources ability and good judgment when recruiting, hiring and retaining Directors. Supervise, evaluate, manage the performance of Directors in accordance with Municipal policy, procedures and practices.
• Upon the recommendation of a Director, approve or deny the hiring of potential employees or termination of existing employees.
• Oversee employee recruitment, selection and hiring for all Municipal Departments; ensure Department Directors consistently comply with Municipal recruitment, selection and hiring policies and procedures.
• Ensure that the Municipality has an effective and efficient organizational structure; implement any internal reorganization of responsibilities, duties or positions required to attain this objective. Subject to the approval of Council, create or eliminate positions as necessary.
• Upon the recommendation of a Director, approves changes to employee pay in accordance with the salary grid and budgets approved by Council.
• Foster a positive and collaborative work environment with a focus on employee engagement and development.

Professional Development

• Ensure all operating licences and professional or technical designations and certifications remain valid and current.
• Attend and participate in courses, workshops, and seminars to keep abreast of trends, best practices, and developments within the applicable scope of work.
• Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to continuous education and professional development

Health and Safety

• Establish and oversee the operation of the Health and Safety Program and ensure that mechanisms are in place to monitor employee compliance and overall program effectiveness.
• Provide leadership and demonstrate commitment to the protection of the health and safety of all employees and work-site parties.
• Allocate resources for the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the Health and Safety Program.
• Work with the Municipality’s Health and Safety Committee to ensure continuous improvement in the health and safety performance of the Municipality.
• Ensure that health and safety concerns raised by employees, work site parties, and the Health and Safety Committee are resolved in a timely manner.
• Ensure that employees and worksite parties are not subjected to or participate in harassment or violence at Municipal worksites.
• Ensure managers and supervisors are competent and are held accountable for their compliance with and implementation of all applicable provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulation and Code, as well as the Municipal Health and Safety Program.