Program Manager, Green Infrastructure

**Job Description**:
**POSITION PURPOSE**

Reporting to the Manager, Natural Heritage and Forestry is responsible for leading the development and implementation of the Greening Strategy, including strategic partnerships, land securement, and education and outreach programs related natural environment, including contributing to policy development at the corporate level (Official Plan, Strategic Plan) and reporting. The position will take a lead role in the stewardship and education/interpretation of the York Regional Forest; will be the liaison for Access York to ensure high quality service through the CRM; responsible for leadership and management of a team of professional/technical staff, and coordination of Division business planning and program specific budgets.

**MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES**
- Takes a lead role in the development and implementation of the Greening Strategy and Environmental Land Securement Strategy.
- Works with management staff to review program delivery, identify gaps and improve delivery with growth and urbanization of the Region, including analysis of existing programs and processes for opportunities for improvement; provides technical support for the evaluation, design and implementation of changes.
- Develops/refines existing strategies to achieve intended outcomes of corporate policies/strategies (Vision, Official Plan, Strategic Plan, etc.), including stakeholder consultation, strategy writing, seeking committee/council endorsement.
- Oversees the development and implementation of partnerships to achieve Green Strategy and Environmental Land Securement Strategy objectives.
- Manages updates to Regional canopy and woodland cover mapping, including State of the Forest reporting.
- Oversees the development and implementation of the York Region Strategic Forest Management Plan.
- Leads development and tracking of Natural Heritage and Forestry Division multi-year budget, business plans, work planning and reporting.
- Leads the coordination and preparation of multi-year budget and business plan for division.
- Supervises staff, including recruitment, selection, hiring, scheduling, assigning and monitoring work, determining training and development needs, coaching and mentoring, conducting performance appraisals and determining/recommending disciplinary action up to and including dismissal in accordance with collective agreements, Regional policies and practices.
- Ensures that operating staff work in a safe manner and utilize all required health and safety equipment and protective devices and follow all measures and procedures as required by the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations and Regional Policies.
- Liaises with other Branches and Departments regarding the planning, protection and maintenance of the Region’s urban and rural forests.

**QUALIFICATIONS**
- Successful completion of a University Degree in Environmental Sciences/Studies, Forestry, or related field or approved equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum three (3) years of experience in urban or rural forestry, preferably in a municipal environment with responsibilities for planning, contract administration, maintenance and planting operations, project management, enforcement and minimum of one (1) year of direct supervisory experience.
- Knowledge of and experience with budget preparation, business and financial management of operational programs/projects including monitoring and control.
- Experience developing and delivering strategies and programs related to the protection and restoration of the natural environmental including urban forests.
- Knowledge of urban forestry management principles, and best practices.
- Demonstrated knowledge of relevant Standards, Acts and Regulations.
- Knowledge of and experience with asset management principles and practices; and of outdoor/environmental education.
- Leadership competencies including operating strategically, leveraging diversity and differences, customer focused, ensuring accountability, managing complex problems, financial management, employing interactive and effective communication, fostering collaborative relationships, cultivating engagement to drive vision and purpose, managing and developing talent, establishing and maintaining trust, displaying self-awareness, and demonstrating resiliency.
- Valid Ontario Class “G” driver’s licence free of serious offences under the Highway Traffic Act.