Superintendent Park Board (Urban Forestry)

City of Vancouver•Vancouver, BC

5d•CA$106,521 - CA$133,152•Onsite

About The Position

Vancouver is recognized as one of the world's most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities, and the City of Vancouver is seeking dedicated individuals to advance its core commitments. The Superintendent of Urban Forestry (Stanley Park) is responsible for managing a team focused on forest stewardship in Stanley Park. This includes tasks such as tree pruning, removals, planting, watering, invasive species removal, forest restoration, wildfire risk mitigation and preparation, storm response, and tree risk mitigation. The role involves identifying and addressing forest health and management challenges, advancing operational programs, and ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective operations. The position reports to the City Arborist and manages a team of approximately 10-14 staff. The Superintendent contributes to Park Board initiatives like the Urban Forest Strategy, Tree Risk Inspection Policy, Biodiversity Strategy, and VanPlay, as well as city-wide goals for Reconciliation, Climate Action, equity, and risk management. The role also involves building relationships with local Host-Nations (Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh) and collaborating with other Park Board departments, businesses, and stakeholders within Stanley Park.

Requirements

Graduation from a university, institute of technology or college of urban forestry, or parks management, supplemented by courses in forest management, arboriculture, project management and supervisory training or an equivalent combination of training and experience
Minimum of 3 to 5 years of supervisory experience, preferably within the public sector and union environment
Extensive knowledge and understanding of urban forestry operations, maintenance and effective customer service
Good working knowledge of tree identification
Knowledge of Urban Forestry and Forest Management principles, practices and techniques
Considerable knowledge of HR management, including recruiting, dealing with discipline, representing the Employer at grievance hearings and resolve/deny grievances
Considerable knowledge of and ability to simultaneously manage and review a number of projects
Considerable knowledge of project management
Good knowledge of and ability to work with Civic, Provincial and Federal levels of government
Good knowledge and experience relating to Federal and Provincial legislation, acts and regulations related to urban forestry and the environment
Knowledge of methods and requirements to provide excellent customer service
Knowledge of pertinent WCB and OH&S standards
Thorough background in arboriculture operations and techniques that employ best practices to retain tree health and physiology
Ability to apply policies and collective agreements working in consultation with Human Resources
Ability to work with community groups and stakeholders
Ability to prepare comprehensive reports and studies
Ability to conduct extensive technical field and literature research
Ability to estimate time and material requirements and costs related to program proposals
Ability to provide feedback, coaching and mentoring to challenge and develop employees
Ability to achieve results, set challenging goals, prioritize tasks, overcome obstacles, accept accountability, set standards and responsibilities, provide leadership with commitment to excellence
Ability to plan for, assign work and supervise a diverse workgroup and/or contractors engaged in urban forestry operations
Excellent knowledge of budget management
Well-developed interpersonal skills including ability to coach and train others
Strong verbal and written communications skills with the ability to formulate and articulate ideas and opinions
Excellent ability to resolve conflict and to lead problems solving in an inclusive positive manner with the ability to articulate own goals and objectives of all parties
Proficient in standard Microsoft business software; PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Word

Nice To Haves

Registered Professional Forester designation preferred
ISA Certified Arborist designation with TRAQ endorsement preferred
Some knowledge and familiarity with SAP financial reporting software desirable

Responsibilities

Supervises staff including hiring, performance management, discipline, support, coaching, training and development and representing the employer in the grievance process
Plans various work programs; establishes work schedules and procedures and coordinates activities with other work units
Builds relationships with customer and clients to improve service levels and increase customer satisfaction
Performs crew audits to ensure compliance with safety, environmental and quality standards
Conducts job costing and bid tendering
Reviews various paperwork/invoices and manages budgets
Enhances operational efficiencies and the management and coordination of day-to-day operations and maintenance of the Urban Forestry program in Stanley Park
Establishes and maintains effective communication and coordination with other divisions and departments in the Park Board, the City, MST, consultants, stakeholders, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and the general public
Set priorities for maintaining and coordinating the use of equipment with supervisors and superintendents in other divisions
Participates in Park Board team meetings, leads meetings, and conducts staff meetings and crew talks
Provides supervision and leadership to staff including hiring, training, coaching, and performance management
Develop plans and set priorities for strategic forest management and risk mitigation for long-term forest health and sustainable forest management
Responding to service requests for forest and tree-related matters in Stanley Park