Director of Transportation

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 Operations Services Officer, the Director of Transportation will be responsible for leading the Transportation Department, delivering the priorities and objectives outlined by senior administration and City Council. With a continuous improvement lens, the Director will provide leadership and management of the following programs and respective staff within Transportation Services:

• Snow & ice control,
• Traffic engineering,
• Street cleaning, and
• Maintenance of asphalt and gravel roads, stormwater, traffic signal and signs, railway crossings, and concrete sidewalks.

The Director of Transportation 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 technical experience within the scope of transportation infrastructure maintenance and related asset planning, you are 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 project 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 strategies, plans and policies related to transportation and stormwater infrastructure.
• 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.

Planning and Budgeting

• Develops (in collaboration with other departments e.g., engineering and finance) and manages 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 Health & Safety 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 Transportation Department, and oversight of vendor contracts in delivery of services for the department.
• Researches, prepares, and presents reports to the Operational Services Committee on matters related to Transportation.
• 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 Civil Engineering Degree, Civil Engineering Technology diploma or a related discipline.
• A minimum of five (5+) years senior leadership experience, preferably within the municipal transportation sector, or an associated sector (e.g., public works, infrastructure) and or a combination of related education and experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with the Alberta Municipal Government Act, Alberta Traffic Safety Act and related statutes is preferred.
• 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.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exercise appropriate diplomacy and discretion.
• 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.

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.

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: