General Manager of Planning & Community Services

Posted on: Jan 15, 2025
Posted by: Westlock County

Summary

The General Manager of Planning and Community Services reports to the Chief Administrative Officer and is responsible for the overall management and direction of the Planning and Services, Economic Development and Community Services Departments to support the County’s commitment to excellence in municipal government. The General Manager will lead and provide strategic direction(s) to reporting departments, ensuring programs, service delivery and evaluations are completed to meet service levels and ensure operational effectiveness.

The General Manager is responsible for long-range community planning, economic growth, and major contract management. The General Manager is also responsible for the overall land use planning and development activities in the County, ensuring strategic direction is aligned with organizational goals. The incumbent participates directly in the preparation of operational and capital budgets and is responsible for the hiring and managing of staff within reporting departments.

Key Responsibilities

Direct Reports:

  • Senior Planning and Development Officer
  • Community Services Coordinator
  • Economic Development Manager
  • Development Engineering Officer
  • Planning and Community Services Division Coordinator

Under the supervision of the CAO, the duties and responsibilities of the General Manager of
Planning and Community Services include, but are not limited to:

  • Preparing and implementing short- and long-term goals and objectives to ensure bylaws, policies
    and practices within the department are consistent with Westlock County’s Strategic Plan.
  • Developing and managing department operating and capital budgets and long-range plans supporting
    goals and objectives of Council and CAO.
  • Maximizing efficiency and service delivery.
  • Providing senior leadership to the reporting departments assigned to the General Manager of
    Planning and Community Services.
  • Responsible for recruitment, training and overall management of relevant personnel, departments,
    and consultants.
  • Ensuring standards, policies and bylaws are developed, monitored for compliance and accuracy,
    and recommends additions or changes to CAO.

Planning and Development

  • Advise the Municipal Planning Commission, Subdivision and Development Appeal Board, Council, CAO
    and other inter-agencies and authorities delegated by CAO as pertaining to matters of subdivision
    and development.
  • Represent the County, corresponding with agencies, governments, developers, and other interested
    parties where required.
  • Lead projects in terms of evaluation, negotiation, creation, amendment, and implementation of
    key planning documents such as statutory plans, Land Use Bylaw, outline plans, design briefs, and
    development agreements.
  • Steering of planning and land use studies for the County and joint planning studies with
    neighboring municipalities
  • Coordinate special planning studies, research projects and investigations as required
  • Responsible for making comments regarding intermunicipal planning referrals
  • Responsible for administering and providing recommendations to Council regarding road closure
    applications, public land sales and municipal reserve allocation and disposals.
  • Preparation of annual operating and capital budgets and responsibility to remain within the
    budget parameters throughout the year.
  • Ensure municipality is aware of and in compliance with current legislative and related changes
    affecting land use and municipal planning.

Economic Development

  • Setting Economic Development goals and objectives, based on Council’s strategic
    direction
  • Establish policies and programs based on Council and/or the CAO directions and ensures clear
    communication to Economic Development employee(s)
  • Directing policy implementation and ensures for adequate resources for implementation
  • Updating professional knowledge by remaining aware of new regulations, participating in
    educational opportunities, maintains current on professional publications, maintaining personal
    networks, and participating in professional organizations
  • Leading change that maximizes desired results and outcomes for Westlock County.
  • Cultivating effective relationships and networks with other
    departments, residents, regional partners, contractors, agencies, and other levels of government.
  • Providing information to Council, staff, and the general public concerning existing and proposed
    policies, practices, and programs of the County
  • Responsible for overseeing the overall department-related functions and staff.

Community Services

  • Ensuring continued investment in parks and recreation facilities, and community-focused projects and programming for the well-being of Westlock County ratepayers
  • Establishing policies and programs based on Council and/or the CAO directions and ensures clear communication to Community Services employee(s)
  • Providing direction as to policy implementation
  • Providing reporting of necessary information and recommendations to facilitate Council’s decision-making
  • Providing information to Council, staff, and the general public concerning existing and proposed policies, practices, and programs of the County
  • Responsible for overseeing the overall department-related functions and staff
  • Acting as liaison with local Boards and Community Groups

Other

  • Adhere to all safety standards under the Occupational Health and Safety Legislation, Policies
    and Procedures and WHMIS Guidelines. For specific responsibilities of this position, refer to the
    Health and Safety Policy, Section 2 – Responsibilities for CAO, General Managers, Supervisors and
    Workers
  • Promote a safe work environment, ensuring compliance with all government regulations, and Health
    & Safety policies and practices. Participation on the County’s Joint Health and Safety Committee as
    required
  • Perform duties as may be requested by the General Manager of Emergency Management during a State
    of Local Emergency
  • Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Education/Experience

  • Post-secondary education in Business or Public Administration, degree in Land Use Planning or equivalent, or a combination of related education and experience. Minimum seven (7) years of experience in the planning field
  • A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in Senior Management Operations with supervisory experience preferred
  • APPI Regulated Membership preferred
  • Experience matching projects with grant funding opportunities and developing grant applications is an asset

Knowledge

  • Understanding of all aspects of business development from financing, land economics, marketing research, to real estate and building requirements
  • Considerable breadth and depth of knowledge of the Municipal Government Act, provincial planning and development regulations and related statutes
  • Good knowledge of project management practices and principles
  • Business planning, budgeting and reporting
  • General knowledge of Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
    Skills
  • Skilled in building a positive workplace culture and has a successful track record coaching, mentoring, and developing staff in their career progression and growth
  • Proficient in various computer programs including, but not limited to Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Project), Adobe, AutoCAD, and ArcGIS
  • Ability to work collaboratively, ensuring interpersonal skills contributes to effective team functioning and performance
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills to provide accurate, clear and concise recommendations and supporting analysis in written and oral presentations
  • Strategic and critical thinking and use of sound judgement and diplomacy to make recommendations
  • Ability to adapt to varying workloads, proactively plan, establish priorities and allocate resources
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including the public, staff and members of Council
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to monitor and adjust work plans to accomplish goals
  • Achieving results in a complex organization and political environment in a way that builds and maintains trust and relationships

Compliance

  • RCMP Criminal Records Check
  • Driver’s Abstract

 

Link to the full posting: https://humanedgeglobal.com/opportunities/general-manager-planning-and-community-services/

Job Type

Full time

Employer Contact

Name: Ken Glover
Email: Ken.Glover@humanedgeglobal.com

Salary Range

No salary range listed.

Closing Date

February 28, 2025
Posting ID: 29675