Park Stewardship Program Lead (Recreation Officer 1)

City of Edmonton•Edmonton, AB

6d•CA$81,766 - CA$102,773•Hybrid

About The Position

The Park Stewardship Program Lead plays a key role in developing and delivering specialized programs that encourage greater public use, care, and enjoyment of City parks and natural areas. In this role, you will lead initiative strategies, build strong partnerships, and coordinate community engagement across portfolios such as community gardens, urban beautification, environmental enhancement, and park asset stewardship. Operating within budget guidelines, you will oversee program delivery, mentor team members, and gather data to continuously improve operational impact. As a champion for local parks, you will help bring community-driven projects to life while modeling the City’s commitment to being Safe, Helpful, Accountable, Integrated, and Excellent.

Requirements

University degree in Recreation Administration or a related undergraduate field
Minimum of three (3) years of experience in community/parks recreation, park operations/management, or a related field
Valid Alberta Class 5 Driver’s License (or provincial equivalent)
Current Standard First Aid certification with CPR-C
Obtain and maintain a clear Police Information Check, including Vulnerable Sector Check, prior to starting the position
Valid Alberta Class 5 Driver’s License (or provincial equivalent) with business auto insurance coverage for personal vehicle use on City business

Nice To Haves

Experience designing and delivering public engagement initiatives or community-led outreach campaigns
Background in grant writing, contract monitoring, or social media content creation
Knowledge of park operations, horticulture practices, or environmental stewardship principles
Exceptional relationship-building skills to collaborate effectively with diverse community groups, interdepartmental teams, and external organizations
Strong oral, written, and public presentation skills, including proficiency with Google Workspace applications
Proven ability to handle delicate inquiries and navigate passionate community feedback with tact, diplomacy, and respectful conflict resolution
Sound knowledge of leisure service principles, community needs assessments, and volunteer/participant management
Demonstrated supervisory or mentoring skills to guide, train, and support junior staff and program participants
Alignment to our Cultural Commitments and Leadership Competencies (https://bit.ly/4brRrXm)
Embracing a culture of equity, diversity, reconciliation and inclusion

Responsibilities

Plan, deliver, evaluate, and enhance park stewardship programs (such as community gardens, citizen driven park care, and other related projects) aligned with City directives
Track and monitor program expenditures to maintain adherence to allocated budgets
Facilitate engagement with residents, community leagues, non-profits, and corporate collaborators to leverage resources for open spaces
Develop physical and digital communications materials in collaboration with Communications and Public Engagement teams to build community awareness
Write and administer grant application and oversee participant recruitment, scheduling, safety, and recognition
Provide leadership, coaching, and direction to supporting team members (such as Recreation Technicians, Co-op students, and Sustainability Scholars), including participating in recruitment and performance evaluations
Act as a key liaison across departments and external groups, offering professional guidance and responding to inquiries in a timely, respectful manner