Project Manager

City of Toronto • Union, NJ

9d • Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the Senior Project Manager, the Project Manager leads business improvement and sustainment initiatives within Urban Forestry, with a primary focus on developing programs to advance workforce training, knowledge, qualifications and skills in alignment with evolving arboricultural industry standards and emergent technology. In this role you will support strategic projects and operational improvements that enhance service delivery, improve work quality, and drive organizational effectiveness across the division.

Requirements

• Must possess International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) or ISA TRAQ certification, Provincial Certificate of Qualification (444A/444B), and/or equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Extensive experience in municipal urban forestry operations, including identification of tree species and their maintenance requirements in an urban environment similar to Toronto's, as well as knowledge of common diseases and pests of trees planted in the region and their recommended treatment.
• Experience in a project management leadership role, delivering projects, activities and assignments from inception through to implementation with minimal direction while balancing political, community and other stakeholder interests.
• Considerable experience leading the development and implementation of training, certification, and professional development programs that support workforce modernization, business improvement, and operational sustainment initiatives.
• Must have use of a vehicle at all times and must possess a valid Ontario Class "G" Driver’s Licence, and the ability to obtain a City driver's permit.
• Ability to communicate effectively to document complex processes and systems and deliver presentations and training to staff and management at all levels.
• Interpersonal and conflict management skills to work productively with staff, partners, and contractors both internal and external to the organization.
• Ability to consistently deliver on demanding assignments requiring critical judgement, analytical thinking, and problem-solving with creativity.
• Knowledge of, and experience applying relevant government legislation including the Occupational Health & Safety Act, Arborist Safe Work Practices, Highway Traffic Act and Ontario Labour Code as well as City of Toronto By-laws and municipal procedures relating to trees.
• Highly proficient with database software packages and other corporate software applications.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with data processing, analysis, reporting and automation would be considered an asset.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements detailed plans and recommends policies regarding program specific requirements (such as developing policies related to tree inspection and tree risk assessment).
• Manages assigned projects, ensuring effective teamwork and communication, high standards of work quality, organizational performance and continuous learning.
• Conducts research into assigned areas ensuring that such research takes into account developments within the arboricultural field, corporate policies and practices, legislation and initiatives by other levels of government.
• Ensures that project expenditures are controlled and maintained within approved budget limitations.
• Oversees the delivery of high-quality divisional projects (such as the development and implementation of apprenticeship, trade certification and workforce training programs).
• Conducts research, identifies requirements and analyzes business processes for opportunities to optimize operational effectiveness and efficiency, including using advance technologies such as resistance drills, sonic tomography and LIDAR.
• Anticipates, analyzes and identifies organizational and program delivery impacts of emerging issues and activities; recommends innovative divisional solutions using sound professional judgment, conflict resolution and negotiation skills to successfully manage sensitive and controversial matters.
• Responds to emergency and priority situations by anticipating problems, making decisions and deploying appropriate strategies and resources.
• Oversees and evaluates work performance of external service providers with respect to quality, timeline, cost and completion of required tasks.
• Identifies and recommends approaches for addressing program/activity gaps and issues, ensuring alignment with other City and divisional priorities and objectives.
• Monitors work output, reviews project deliverables and ensures project staff and divisional stakeholders complete assigned deliverables on time, on schedule, on budget and at quality standards.
• Develops and implements project control systems, procurement oversight, cost evaluation methodologies and performance evaluation criteria, in accordance with approved corporate policies and guidelines.
• Reviews, evaluates and recommends detailed project plans and project deliverables to Director/Senior Project Manager, including strategic planning initiatives related to procurement planning, budget analysis, preparation of reports and recommendations, and ensuring City obligations are met and are in compliance with applicable legislation.
• Manages and reports sub-project progress to senior management with respect to technology, staffing level, costs, schedules, and operations.
• Prepares, develops and negotiates agreements with suppliers, contractors, other divisions, partner organizations, agencies, and community groups.
• Develops and manages requests for proposals/quotations in accordance with the City's policies and procedures and manages evaluation and selection processes and contracts with suppliers.
• Ensures compliance with contractual agreements, project charters and legislative requirements.
• Manages contentious issues regarding projects, ensuring follow up documentation, corrective action and implementation of preventative strategies.
• Negotiates and implements innovative solutions to complex project challenges involving multiple stakeholders to achieve assigned objectives.
• Develops, coordinates and approves effective communication activities for all levels of staff in the division to ensure strategic plans are widely understood and paramount in all strategic and day-to-day decision-making.
• Communicates any potential situations of political and/or media attention; makes recommendation on course of action and ensures the Director/Senior Project Manager is apprised of issues impacting the service delivery of the project and any potential impact on divisional operations.
• Conducts and/or coordinates appropriate training and communication to staff with respect to events/projects, policies and procedures, including leading and standardizing training programs, and improving documentation, reporting and tracking systems used to monitor training requirements and certifications.
• Develops programs to ensure quality of work and service delvery meet corporate and divisional standards, and employees are trained to perform work in compliance with all legislative requirements and arboricultural industry best practices that apply, such as Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), Fire Code, Electrical Code and the Occupational Health & Safety Act (OHSA), Arborist Safe Work Practices (ASWP) etc.
• Represents the division in meetings with a wide and diverse range of internal and external partners, City Divisions, community groups, agencies, senior staff, and elected officials.
• Cultivates and retains strategic relationships with corporate representatives, media partners, local businesses, politicians from three levels of government and internal senior level management.
• Develops briefing notes and reports to senior management, Committees and Council.

Benefits

• The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve.
• We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
• Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs.
• Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed