Director Inspection Services

With a population of 69,000, and regional trading area of more than 300,000, Grande Prairie is the largest urban municipality in northern Alberta. The regional economy influencing the city includes agriculture, forest and wood products, oil, natural gas, utilities, recreation, and tourism.

The City maintains all the services, conveniences, and amenities associated with a larger established regional urban municipality including, an array of brand name, family-owned, and franchise retail and hospitality stores, a regional hospital complete with comprehensive cancer treatment, several seniors care facilities, public library, medical and pharmacy centres, variety of schools (K-12) including French immersion, indoor and outdoor sports facilities, parks and trails, golf courses, cross-country and downhill skiing, post-secondary institution (Northwestern Polytechnical), cultural, creative and performing arts centres, Art Gallery of Grande Prairie, Museum and Heritage village, large scale entertainment centre (Bonnetts Energy Centre), and a regional airport.

A renown fact about the City and region is that it is a vital conservation zone for the Trumpeter Swan, a threatened migratory bird. Two other attractions include the Grande Prairie Storm, a Junior A level hockey team, and the impressive Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum, located in the Town of Wembley just west of the City.

The City of Grande Prairie’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan has 4 priorities:

• Quality of Life
• Engaging Relationships
• Inclusive & Caring Community

About the Opportunity

Reporting to the Chief Business & Development Officer, the Director of Inspection Services will be responsible for leading and guiding the Inspection Services Department which entails all public health and safety, litigation, customer service and matters of compliance. In addition, coordination, administration, implementation, monitoring and review of the City’s Quality Management Plan. With a continuous improvement lens, the Director will provide leadership and management of the following services within the Department:

• Health and Safety,
• Building Codes,
• Safety Codes,
• Inspections, and
• Quality Control

The Director of Inspection Services will work out of the City of Grande Prairie Service Centre (9505 112 St., Grande Prairie, AB T8V 6H8). The hours of work are normally Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week and after-hours and weekend as required.

The Ideal Candidate

In addition to possessing strong relevant trades and technical experience within the scope of building and construction, you are a collaborative results-based professional with mature people leadership and management skills.

You have experience working in relatively larger organizations (or departments) and understand the importance of clear communications, engagement, embracing new technology, change management, and developing an inclusive and productive team environment.

Combined with your operational planning and quality management skills, you are analytical, outcome focused and intuitive to the potential of risk. At the same time, you are a coach, mentor and acknowledge and celebrate individual and team successes.

Responsibilities

Leadership and People Management

• Provides leadership and direction in the development and implementation of operating plans and policies related to inspection services, building codes, safety codes, health and safety, and quality management.
• Engagement with developers.
• Supports dispute resolution when necessary.
• Leads the activities of direct reports through clear communications, coaching, problem resolution, and performance management.
• Engages in and provides support to all staff related matters, including recruitment, training, grievances, and labour relations, aligned with Human Resources and consistent with corporate standards and practices.
• Complies with union collective bargaining agreement, and provides support as required to the process of review and or negotiation.
• Foster a safe and open environment for people to share workplace concerns.
• Seek to build positive working relationships both cross-departmentally as well as cross-divisionally.
• Promote positive customer service across the department.

Planning and Budgeting

• Contributes to the development (in collaboration with the Chief Business & Development Officer and other departments e.g., engineering and finance) and management of annual and multi-year capital and operating plans and budgets for the department.
• Ensures that departmental plans align with overall corporate strategic priorities.

Operations and Administration

• Ensures relevant policies, programs and practices are implemented, and maintained such as, employee training, workplace inspections, monitoring, accident reporting and investigations.
• Lead, manage, coordinate, and monitor approved operational / work plan and related KPI’s, manage various portfolios within the Inspection Services Department, and oversight of vendor contracts in delivery of services for the department.
• Monitors, prepares, and presents reports to the Chief of Investment.
• Applies a continuous improvement lens over all operational policies, procedures, and systems.
• Ensures alignment, communication, and where necessary collaboration with other internal departments.
• Responds to requests for service and information from elected officials, the public, news media, local area municipalities and/or other agencies.

Qualifications

• A related building or construction technology Diploma, or equivalent certified trades / technologist / journeyman.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience as a Safety Codes Officer, verification of a letter of competency submitted through the Safety Codes Council of Alberta (or eligible).
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with an Alberta municipality is an asset.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to develop, interpret, implement, and adhere to organizational strategy, business plans, budgets, policies, and procedures.
• Strong critical thinking.
• Experience working within a collective agreement (union) would be an asset.
• Appropriate action and in the delegation of both authority and responsibility where appropriate.
• Strong entrepreneurial, leadership, management, analytical and interpersonal skills with the ability to use tact, diplomacy, and mature judgment.
• Capacity to perform in a fast-paced environment.
• Appreciation for municipal political sensitivities.

We welcome applications from all qualified individuals including candidates from diverse backgrounds and those with disabilities.

Compensation

Salary will be commensurate with individual skills and experience. Benefits are included and will be discussed during the candidate review process. Applicants selected for an interview will be asked to present a current Driver’s abstract.

Confidentiality

In compliance and consistent with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (“PIPEDA”), HumanEdge shall respect the privacy and confidentiality of all personal information provided directly or indirectly verbally, electronically or in print throughout the process of candidate engagement in our search assignments.

How to Apply

Resume and Cover Letter can be submitted in confidence to: