Supervisor, Parks Forestry Operations

Please note the salary range is based on 2023 rates.

The City of Markham is proud to be recognized for the 5th consecutive year as one of Canada's Best Employers by Forbes and Statista Inc. In 2025, the City of Markham is ranked 2nd among municipalities in Canada and 12th overall for Government Services. The recipient of multiple environmental awards, we are recognized for our innovative sustainability and urban planning initiatives as well as our fiscal accountability. More than 366,000 residents call Markham home and benefit from our rich heritage, culturally diverse environment, vibrant local economy and focus on quality of life.

Applications are now being accepted for the above position in the Community Services Commission. To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume online by March 30, 2025.

Join us and make a lasting difference

Job Summary

Reporting to the Sr. Manager, Parks Horticulture and Forestry, you will be responsible for the coordination, supervision and administration of forestry maintenance functions for the City of Markham.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

More specifically, your accountabilities as Forestry Supervisor will include:

1. Staff deployment and field supervision for maintenance and repair work related to City-owned trees, both in parks and on municipal boulevards, storm water management ponds, natural areas, and forest woodlots.
2. Winter operations supervision including inspection and assessment of pavement surface conditions, snow plowing/removal, and sanding/salting/deicing on roads, sidewalks, pathways, and municipal facility parking lots.
3. Provide assistance to community-related events including coordination of setup, takedown of road closures and associated signage, barricades and fencing, garbage containers, portable washrooms, forestry information and public education.
4. Lead with preparation and evaluation of tenders, coordinating contract start-up upon bid award, inspecting and supervising contracted and project work and materials/supplies delivery in the field, tracking contractor/supplier performance, coordinating stake-outs and necessary permits, troubleshooting with contractors/suppliers/staff in the field, coordinating the timing and delivery of large scale capital projects, completing necessary reports/documentation related to contracted services, and ensuring health & safety and legislative/regulatory compliance.
5. Staff supervision, coaching, and development.
6. Assisting with budget preparation and administering assigned budgets including reconciliation/authorization of accounts.
7. Contributing to the Operations Department work/business planning.
8. Championing the corporate, commission, and departmental vision, mission, and values.
9. Supervises assigned staff including scheduling of work, staff training/development, health & safety and other regulatory compliance, performance management/review, coaching/mentoring, collective agreement administration, payroll submissions, progressive discipline and termination recommendations.
10. Responds to inquiries from and/or liaises with residents, Councillors, businesses, contractors/suppliers, internal departments on contracts, equipment/materials needs, maintenance programs/policies/procedures, contract administration and customer service issues, and other Operations related matters, as required.
11. Assesses staffing needs; makes recommendations for new and/or seasonal complement or temporary secondments; participates in recruitment processes; ensures appropriate orientation of new/assigned staff.
12. Prepares and/or assists with the preparation of tender specifications and bid evaluations for tree maintenance, services, and related materials/supplies to be performed/supplied by external contracted services; liaises with successful proponent and coordinates contract start-up upon bid award; coordinates stake-outs and necessary permits.
13. Oversee forestry operations, citywide maintenance and repairs and city facility for Forestry Operations.
14. Administers assigned contracts including conducting field inspections and monitoring/tracking contractor performance to ensure compliance with tender specifications, health and safety, and other applicable legislation/regulations; troubleshooting in the field where issues/problems arise; reviewing and authorizing progress draws and making recommendations on change orders where necessary; prepares necessary follow-up reports/documentation.
15. Participates in the preparation of the department operating and capital budgets; administers approved budgets including reconciliation of assigned accounts and authorization of expenditures; participates in reviews of in-house/contracted services mix; contributes to Operations business/work planning.
16. Benchmarks productivity, streamlining/updating for best practices, assuring compliance with standards/procedures and health & safety, and assuring contractor performance and value-for-money for the municipality.
17. Assists with City-wide Operations maintenance programs, provides back-up support and acts in the absence of other Operations Supervisors, participates in rotational standby coverage, and acts in the absence of the Sr. Manager, Parks Horticulture and Forestry as assigned.
18. Participates as a member of the Operations Department management team; leads and/or participates on project teams, as assigned; and champions the corporate/commission/departmental vision, mission, and values within Operations and among colleagues and co-workers.
19. Undertakes special projects and performs other duties as assigned, in accordance with departmental or commission/corporate objectives.

Minimum Requirements

1. Community College Diploma or degree in Arboriculture or related field.
2. Eligibility for or holder of International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certification.
3. Eligibility for or holder of Ontario Professional Forestry Association (OPFA).
4. Significant experience (minimum five years) in contract/project administration in a high-volume municipal environment, including supervisory experience in a unionized environment.
5. Excellent interpersonal, time/project management, organizational, contract administration, analytical, recordkeeping, work prioritization, problem-solving, and staff development/supervisory skills.
6. Ability to build strong and enthusiastic staff teams and internal alliances; to align Operations contract administration field operations with Operations goals and objectives; to champion the vision, mission and values of the municipality; to foster and contribute to a positive, productive, service-oriented work environment; and to deal courteously and effectively with all contacts.
7. Thorough working knowledge of project management/contract administration principles, practices and procedures, the Occupational Health & Safety Act and Construction regulations, tree maintenance/operations standards and preventative maintenance/quality assurance practices, labour relations principles and collective agreement administration, and contemporary management practices.
8. Computer literacy utilizing word-processing, spreadsheet, and contract administration/project management-related software, email and the Internet; experience with roads maintenance management and infrastructure asset management software an asset.
9. Class G Drivers license in good standing; DZ preferred. As a condition of employment, you will be required to provide a satisfactory drivers abstract.
10. Willingness and availability to participate in rotational standby and for emergency response.

CORE BEHAVIOURS

1. Service Excellence: Leads and supports staff in meeting or exceeding service standards when interacting with customers.
2. Change & Innovation: Effectively implements change and supports and involves staff through change transitions.
3. Teamwork & Relationship Building: Leads and supports staff in working together collaboratively, fosters teamwork and inclusion, and cultivates relationships.
4. Communication: Models active listening and clear communication, and supports staff members in communicating effectively.
5. Accountable Results Oriented: Role models ethical behaviour and accountability; clarifies expectations, policies and legislation and supports staff in meeting them.
6. Management & Leadership: Supports a positive work environment, develops and enables staff, sets clear expectations, provides regular feedback, and addresses performance.

The City of Markham is committed to inclusive, accessible and barrier-free employment practices and to creating a workplace that reflects and supports the diversity of the community we serve. Please let us know if you require an accommodation and we will work with you to ensure a barrier-free hiring process.
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