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General Manager of Planning & Community Services

Posted on: Oct 18, 2024
Posted by: Westlock County

Summary

The General Manager of Planning and Community Services is responsible for the overall management and direction of the Planning and Development, 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 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

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, the following:

  • Prepare and implement short- and long-term goals and objectives to ensure bylaws, policies and practices within the department are consistent with Westlock County’s Strategic Plan
  • Develops and manages department operating and capital budgets and long-range plans supporting goals and objectives of Council and CAO
  • Maximizes efficiency and service delivery
  • Provides senior leadership to 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
  • Ensures standards, policies and bylaws are developed, monitored for compliance and accuracy, and recommends additions or changes to CAO

Planning & Development

  • Advisor to the Municipal Planning Commission, Subdivision & Development Appeal Board, Council, CAO and other inter-agencies and authorities delegated by CAO as pertaining to matters of subdivision & development
  • Represent the County, corresponding with agencies, governments, developers, and other interested parties where required
  • Lead projects including 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 comment 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

  • Sets Economic Development goals and objectives, based on Council’s strategic direction
  • Establishes policies and programs adopted by Council and/or the CAO are transmitted to Economic Development employee(s)
  • Directs policy implementation and ensures resource availability
  • Updates professional knowledge by remaining aware of new regulations, participates in educational opportunities, maintains current on professional publications, maintains personal networks, and participates in professional organizations
  • Leads change that maximizes desired results and outcomes for Westlock County
  • Cultivates effective relationships and networks with other departments, residents, regional partners, contractors, agencies, and other levels of government
  • Provides 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

  • Ensures continued investment in parks and recreation facilities, community-focused projects and programming for the well-being of Westlock County rate payers
  • Establishes policies and programs adopted by Council and/or the CAO are transmitted to Community Services employee(s)
  • Provides direction as to policy implementation
  • Provides reporting of necessary information and recommendations to facilitate Council’s decision-making
  • Provides 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
  • Acts as liaison with local Boards and Community Groups

Other

  • Must 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
  • Promotes a safe work environment, ensuring compliance with all government regulations, and Health & Safety policies and practices. Participation in the County’s Joint Health and Safety Committee as required
  • This position may be called to perform duties as required 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 members 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 contribute 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 public, staff and members of Council
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to monitor and adjust work plans to accomplish goals
  • Achieve results in a complex organization and political environment in a way that builds and maintains trust and relationships

Job Type

Full time

Employer Contact

No employer contact listed.

Salary Range

121000-146000

Closing Date

November 5, 2024
Posting ID: 28379