Contract Supervisor Urban Forestry

**Job Posting**

The contract supervisor is responsible for the coordination and management of contract based urban forestry programs. The work is project based and includes the ongoing development and delivery of a multi-year contract tree planting program, seven-year cyclical pruning program, contract stump removal program and contract tree removals. This includes contract oversite, compliance monitoring, warranty follow-up, urban forest policies, by-laws, procedures, regulations and public education projects.

The Contract Supervisor, Urban Forestry is also responsible to provide input on decisions involving individual trees or total canopy. This requires the Contract Supervisor to liaise proactively with other corporate business units, third-party service providers and developers. The Contract Supervisor plays a key role in advocacy for trees and tree canopy in HRM, through supporting educating, and contributing to policy and regulation development under the direction of the Superintendent Urban Forestry.

**DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- With assistance from the Operations Supervisor, coordinates and implements HRM tree planting, pruning and removals; conducts professional assessments and inspections and provides professional recommendations and advice on public trees.
- Prepares specifications for Proposals, Contract tenders, terms of reference, transaction agreements and recommendations to the Superintendent of Urban Forestry toward the approval and execution of such agreements;
- Works with the professional support of Corporate Procurement in the preparation, assessment and awarding of Tenders
- Issues and monitors Tree permits and “Letters of Permission” related to By-Law T-600 Respecting Trees;
- Assists the Manager of Urban Forestry through: Financial analyses including cost-benefit analyses; budget/project costing development and recommendations;
- Coordination of inter-departmental/inter-agency working groups/committees and public and legal consultations;
- Contract and tree planting assessment including pre
- and post-implementation quantitative and qualitative survey methodology;
- Contract oversite including pre-post planting reviews and warranty inspection oversite and follow-up
- Research and stakeholder consultation;
- Process and procedural reviews;
- Assists in the coordination of UFMP implementation with other business units to include the development, direction and co-ordination of street and tree planting and pruning programs;
- Facilitates learning programs within the organization and public as it relates to trees;
- Facilitates effective planning and project management processes, maximizing use of available resources and uses innovation to access new resources while monitoring results and adjusting accordingly;
- Assists in Emergency Management Response related activities such as adverse weather events (snow);
- Assist in staff supervision and direction as required during vacation/sick coverage and will be involved in snow and ice operations and emergency response as required by IMO, Public Works.
- May perform other related duties as assigned.**QUALIFICATIONS**:
**Education & Experience**:

- Post-secondary degree or diploma in Urban Forestry, Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Environment or related field; education equivalencies including ISA certification combined with five years directly related experience may be considered
- A minimum of two (2) years experience with public sector procurement; contract development and oversight
- A minimum of two (2) years financial management experience which includes managing, monitoring, building and reporting on budgets in excess of $1 million.
- A minimum of one (1) year in the direct management of Urban / Forest Stands; within a municipal or institutional unionized environment is an asset;
- Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-disciplinary projects;
- Sound knowledge and experience utilizing a variety of communication platforms, negotiation, facilitation, conflict management and customer service excellence;
- **Technical / Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities**:

- Thorough knowledge of current trends/needs in sustainable urban forest management, environmental protection and municipal service delivery;
- General knowledge of the Urban Forest Master Plan in Halifax Regional Municipality;
- A strong understanding of the competitive and transparent nature of municipal sector procurement practices including an understanding of legislative impacts of international trade agreements.
- Strong knowledge and demonstrated experience of budget preparation and monitoring techniques;
- General knowledge of occupational health, safety, environmental, planning, development and other applicable municipal, provincial and federal legislation;
- General understanding of relationships with other governmental agencies or related organizations (utilities, provincial and federal agencies);
- Proficiency in and ability to quickly understand a