Manager, Urban Forestry-TS225

Summary of Duties:

Reporting to the Director, Parks and Forestry, the Manager, Urban Forestry manages and administers the Urban Forestry program informed by the guiding directions of the City’s Urban Forest Strategy. This position partners with the Manager, Forestry Operations to effectively implement strategies, policies and plans, such as tree planting and maintenance programs, enforcement of tree protection by-laws, and woodland management. The Manager represents the Corporation as the expert with respect to the holistic management of our urban forest (public and private woodlands and trees). 

Work Performed:

• Provide leadership in the coordination and delivery of urban forestry programs and projects that contribute to the implementation of strategic initiatives for the Parks and Forestry Division to meet Council’s Strategic Plan.
• Responsible for managing employees including hiring, coaching, administration, and performance of reporting employees. Respond to sensitive and confidential human resource issues as required.
   
• Provide leadership in the execution and delivery of services and programs in the following areas of accountability:
  • Manage and direct staff to fulfil the Urban Forestry Program, with a focus on implementation and tracking of the City’s Urban Forest Strategy; prepare annual work plans for the program.
  • Lead initiatives to educate the community about forest health, tree species selection, the economic/social/environmental benefits of trees, and forestry best practices.
  • Prepare and monitor boulevard and private tree by-laws and remain current with legislation and sectoral best practices.
  • Develop and maintain tree planting, protection and design guidelines in collaboration with other Service Areas.
  • Supervise staff who participate in development approvals and engineering design and construction processes, such as drawing and report review related to the Urban Forestry mandate.
  • Maintain knowledge of best practices and familiarity with current relevant legislative requirements (e.g., pesticide use, invasive species issues and other pest concerns).
  • Apply technical knowledge regarding species selection, maintenance methods, insect and disease control, hazard tree identification and treatment in all aspects of job duties.
  • Coordinate the City’s planting programs with Forestry Operations and other relevant Service Areas.

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• Demonstrate commitment to anti-racism, anti-oppression, and human rights through interactions with community partners, employees and individuals and implementation of policies, programs and protocols that reflect this commitment.
• Demonstrate commitment and adherence to health and safety legislation and programs; and actively promote a culture of safety with direct reports.
• Provide updates, information and recommendations to the Director, Parks and Forestry about forestry priorities with responsibility to operationalize identified goals and strategies.
• Identify and recommend internal controls in the form of policies, procedures, practices in relation to the general and specific risks of the Corporation; ensure internal controls are implemented, monitored and reported on to the Parks and Forestry Division.
• Promote and foster working relationships with employees and bargaining units to provide a fair and consistent application of provisions within the collective agreement.
• Liaise with unions on issues that affect bargaining unit employees and represent the unit at mediation and arbitration proceedings as required.
• Encourage and support employee participation and commitment to individual, divisional, and organizational objectives.  Actively mentor, provide development opportunities and build a high-level team performance with direct reports.
• Prepare reports for Council and Committees and act as a resource to applicable advisory committees.
• Identify, recommend, adapt and implement innovative, effective and efficient work practices and procedures to improve service delivery and the business responsibilities of the team.

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• Implement strategies to track performance measures for Unit deliverables, using appropriate data collection and analytics.
• Adhere to the Procurement of Goods and Services Policy; includes the responsibility of delegation of procurement initiation approval authority and delegation of approval authority for professional consulting services as per policy amounts.
• Provide input to the development of the annual operating budget for the Parks and Forestry Division. 
• Represent the Service Area at Standing Committees and Council meetings as required.
• Represent the City of London and Service Area in legal proceedings as required.
• As the spokesperson for trees in the City, address media inquiries, public complaints, councillor requests, and community and service groups; undertake educational programs and special plantings.
• Liaise with all city Service Areas, London Hydro, utility companies, subdivision developers and contractors, private consultants, Committee of Adjustment, Consent of Authority, Utilities Coordinating Committee and others to support and enhance tree protection, urban forest development and tree planting policies and guidelines. 
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in urban arboriculture practices, including urban planting methods, maintenance, insect and disease management and private property tree by-laws, with an understanding of the area’s programs and services and how the work of the area aligns with the objectives of the Division.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in project coordination and policy development.
• Demonstrated analytical and business planning skills with a proven track record for effectively implementing and monitoring programs and services.
• Demonstrated positive and proactive leadership capabilities, adept at leading a group of employees, contracted services and consultants; demonstrated commitment to developing high performance teams.
• Demonstrated ability to inspire the people they lead through productive and honest dialogue, with personal integrity and actions.
• Ability to be a trusted advisor and/or advocate in sensitive and/or emotionally charged situations.
• Demonstrated perseverance and resilience in addressing and escalating as required, challenges and emergent issues.
• Proven commitment to the safety of employees with knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and applicable regulations as it relates to the position.
• Ability to provide a high level of attention to detail, make sense of data and solve problems.
• Highly developed interpersonal and customer services skills, including conflict resolution and problem solving; demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with diverse populations within the community; experience working collaboratively with organizations, clients, and other individuals. Political acumen to identify and manage issues.
• Ability to understand the importance of service delivery; implement initiatives that support the section’s customers in a timely and effective way.
• Computer literacy in Microsoft Office, and related software and database applications.
• Ability to travel to various locations within the city and periodically outside the city for work purposes (meetings, conferences, etc.).

Qualifications:

• Completion of a university degree in Forestry and possession of a Registered Forestry Professional (RPF) designation (Associate RPF acceptable) or an equivalent combination of education and related professional and lived community experience.
• Five to seven years of related experience in urban forestry including management responsibilities.
• Municipal Law Enforcement Officer qualifications and experience is an asset.
• Project Management certification is an asset.
• Valid G Drivers licence is required.

Compensation & Other Information:

$100,395 - $131,441

This posting is for 1 permanent, full-time position.

Current hours of Work: Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Work Arrangement: Hybrid.

These hours of work and work arrangements are subject to change in accordance with business requirements.

Police Record Check

 Note: This position participates in the program administration of the youth Junior Forest Rangers Day Camp and as a result, the successful candidate will be required to complete a Vulnerable Sector Check.