Spvr, Natural Areas Management

Job Summary

Guided by our vision that together we will protect, enhance, restore, expand, and connect Mississauga's Urban Forest and Natural Heritage System to sustain a healthy community, the Forestry Section is a progressive and interdisciplinary team of professionals and experts that plans, sustains, and manages Mississauga's trees, forests, and natural areas in an effective, efficient, and equitable manner.

Reporting to the Manager, Forestry, the successful candidate will be responsible for the management, restoration, enhancement, and expansion of natural areas and the natural heritage system. This includes supervising naturalization, invasive species management, habitat restoration, and stewardship programs for terrestrial and aquatic habitats by in-house, contracted, and volunteer resources.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervise the management, restoration, enhancement and expansion of natural areas and the natural heritage system, including the planning and delivery of ongoing maintenance, renewal, restoration, and rehabilitation of natural areas;
• Supervise naturalization, invasive species management, habitat restoration, and stewardship programs and projects for terrestrial and aquatic habitats (i.e. woodlands, wetlands, grasslands);
• Supervise the planning, procurement, coordination, scheduling and supervision of contractors, consultants, services, personnel, equipment, supplies, and materials to ensure the most efficient and effective use of in-house and contracted resources;
• Sets operational priorities and objectives within the business unit, including milestones, timelines, and performance measures;
• Supervise, motivate, mentor, and train assigned staff, including recruitment and hiring, scheduling, assigning, and reviewing of work. Authorizes and coordinates standby, overtime, and leave requests. Determines staff training and development needs, monitors and evaluate staff performance, providing coaching, performance management, and taking disciplinary action when necessary;
• Develops, recommends and administers the annual operating and capital budget for the unit, and ensures that the unit's expenditures are controlled and maintained within approved budget;
• Supervise the procurement and ongoing contract management of vendors, contractors, and consultants;
• Develops and implements operational plans, policies, procedures, service standards, service level agreements, and special initiatives;
• Evaluates operational effectiveness and efficiency, monitors performance, and foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence;
• Ensures the timely delivery of quality customer service and resolutions to service requests, complaints, and inquiries from the public, elected officials, or other City staff;
• Develops, prepares, and submits correspondence, reports, briefing notes, memoranda, and presentations for leadership and Council;
• Cultivates effective working relationships with internal and external partners, including members of Council and their staff, other departments, divisions, and sections, and members of the public;
• Represents the Division at public meetings, committees of Council, inter-divisional, and inter-departmental meetings;
• Leads, participates and/or contributes to working groups, committees, task forces, and project teams;
• Develops and fosters a strong culture of health and safety and ensures compliance with all applicable health and safety legislation and policies (i.e. Occupational Health and Safety Act);
• Ensures quality of work and services meets legislated, corporate, departmental, divisional, and section standards.

Skills and Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree in ecology, biology, forestry, or related discipline;
• Minimum of 5 years relevant experience in natural areas management or ecosystem restoration;
• Must have extensive experience in ecosystem restoration, naturalization, invasive species management, habitat restoration, and stewardship in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems;
• Demonstrated experience overseeing projects and contractors, including developing procurement documents, budget control, meeting deadlines and deliverables, contractor quality control, working with/on project teams and working groups;
• Demonstrated interpersonal and leadership skills to provide direction to staff and contractors;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact with residents, stakeholders and elected officials effectively;
• Sound knowledge of applicable legislation, regulations, and policies (i.e. Occupational Health and Safety Act, Municipal Act, Planning Act, Provincial Policy Statement, Conservation Authorities Act, Endangered Species Act, Migratory Birds Convention Act, etc.);
• Must hold a valid Ontario G Driver's License or higher with an acceptable driving record;
• Must be able to work in all weather conditions, on uneven terrain, and perform heavy lifting.