Director Infrastructure Services

Woodlands County’s Administration Office is located within the town of Whitecourt approximately 150 kilometers northwest of Edmonton, Alberta. The official 2021 Census lists the County population just over 4,550. The County is sprawled across 7,668 square kilometers, surrounding the Town of Whitecourt, and includes the Hamlets of Blue Ridge, Goose Lake, and Fort Assiniboine.

Woodlands County’s economy is supported by forestry, aggregate, oil and gas, agriculture, tourism, and indoor and outdoor recreation. Collectively, the communities within the County offer access to many services and amenities including hospitals, an airport, primary and secondary education, access to post-secondary education, secondary medical and pharmaceutical services, fire protection, policing, seniors and supportive living care, housing, community organizations, shopping, and a multitude of recreation facilities, green spaces, sports fields, arenas, curling rinks, parks, lakes, and rivers.

The County is legislated under the Alberta Municipal Government Act and is governed by a Council comprised of seven (7) Councilors from which a Reeve and Deputy Reeve are appointed.

Mission Statement:
We are a diverse and welcoming rural community that strives to provide exceptional opportunities for our families, businesses, and industries for the benefit of current and future generations.

Core values:

• Identity: Proudly rural. As part of rural Alberta, we are proud to supply resources that sustain the quality of life for the region, province, country, and beyond.
• Integrity: Being accountable, committed, and accepting ownership for one’s decisions, actions, and behavior.
• Collaborative: We promote the quality of life of our residents by building and maintaining strong relationships with alliances and work to benefit the region as a whole.
• Transparent: We want input from the public and to conduct ourselves in an open, honest, and respectful manner.
• Diversity: We respect the unique needs of the different geographic and demographic sectors of our community and work hard to understand them.
• Natural Resources: We recognize and respect the beauty of the Woodlands region.
• Sustainability: Meeting our own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own.

Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, the Director of Infrastructure Services is a multi-functional position that provides leadership to all infrastructure operations including roads, airport services, environmental services, recreation, agricultural services, and fleet management. As a member of the senior management team, this position endorses and takes action to implement Council plans, bylaws, and policies, thereby encouraging long-term sustainability and efficiencies for County residents. The role is roughly 25% travel to field locations/projects and 75% office.

Direct reports:

• Administrative Assistant, Infrastructure
• Manager, Agricultural Services
• Manager, Field Services
• Lead Mechanic

Roles and Responsibilities:

• As a member of the Senior Management Team, this position reports directly to the CAO as well as to Council through the CAO on matters pertaining to the organization.
• Supervise staff assigned to the Infrastructure Services Department within established personnel policies with the desired outcome of developing and maintaining a cohesive, supportive, and engaged group.
• Oversee the service delivery in areas of “infrastructure-based” services including management of department & staff, agricultural services, roads and bridge maintenance, snow and ice control, water treatment and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, hamlet streets and sidewalks, solid waste, storm water control, road and community signage, fleet maintenance, airport operations, and maintenance of recreation facilities.
• Develop short and long-term business plans for infrastructure and service levels to properly maintain the County’s infrastructure.
• Provide recommendations through the Chief Administrative Officer to Council on department projects and programs as required by means of RFDs including background documentation.
• Attend Council and committee meetings as necessary and provide support to various committees as a resource staff member.
• Coordinate all activities of supervisory staff within the department; recommend to the Chief Administrative Officer any necessary changes in the duties or authority of supervisory staff.
• Attend department staff meetings to communicate strategic plans and Council’s program and service level.
• Ensure employees adhere to OH&S Regulations and Woodlands County H&S policies.
• Within established personnel policies and procedures and budget guidelines, this position hires, suspends, or terminates staff within the department.
• Coordinate training and development of all Infrastructure Services staff within the programs and budgets provided by Woodlands County.
• Liaison and coordination of agencies, consultants, and contractors providing services to the Infrastructure Services Department, and manage contacts with the public relating to Infrastructure Services projects and programs.
• Responsible for the department’s website content and providing timely updates to the Communications Department.
• In the absence of the Chief Administrative Officer, this position may be required to assume the duties of CAO.
• This position is required to serve as an active member on the County Emergency Response Team.
• Perform other related duties and special projects as requested by the Chief Administrative Officer related to job duties.

Qualifications:

• A degree in Civil Engineering or a combination of education and experience.
• 5-7 years of municipal experience or private sector experience in a senior operational management role.
• Public Works Supervisors Level 3 certification would be an asset.
• Proven management and team leadership skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles, methods, and procedures related to the operations, maintenance, and construction of public infrastructure.
• Demonstrated experience in project management including planning, budgeting, scheduling, cost estimating, reading, and interpreting engineering plans and specifications.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, problem-solving, and negotiation skills.
• Proven record of working effectively with council, staff, boards and committees, and public participation processes.
• ICS structure and emergency management models would be an asset.
• Maturity, progressive, ethical, supportive, intuitive, strategic, well-organized, fiscally astute, communicative, thorough, open-minded, politically astute, business-minded, customer-centric, safety-conscious, and respectful.

Woodlands County is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals.

Compensation:

The compensation range for the Director of Infrastructure Services is $146,086.00 to $182,879.00, commensurate upon the candidate’s skills and experience. Further details on benefits will be discussed at the interview stage.

Confidentiality:

In compliance 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.

To apply, send a cover letter and resume in confidence to: