Director of Operations - Parks, Forestry and Cemetery
Top Benefits
About the role
People, Place, Prosperity
Working within our Strategic Plan, Cambridge Connected , and committing to our values of Integrity, Respect, Inclusiveness and Service, the successful candidate will work together to help the City of Cambridge achieve our vision: A place for people to prosper – alive with opportunity.
Job Profile
Provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for divisional priorities, services, and programs across the following functional areas: operations and maintenance of parks, outdoor sports fields, playgrounds, spray pads, park washrooms and amenities, park workshops, forestry, horticulture, cemeteries, the Community Ambassador Team, community gardens, and trails. Responsibilities also include winter maintenance of sidewalks, walkways, and trails.
What you will be doing
- Provides leadership to staff responsible for the maintenance and year-round operation of varied types of infrastructure, including parks, outdoor sports fields, playgrounds, spray pads, parks washrooms and amenities, forestry and horticulture, Cemetery and Community Ambassador Team, Community Gardens, and Trails. Includes winter maintenance of sidewalks, walkways, and trails.
- Participates in the Senior Management Team (SMT), responsible for the development and implementation of corporate strategic initiatives particularly as it relates to the Operations division in accordance with the Governance Model.
- Responsible for service specific community and agency partnerships, and provide support, direction and leadership to other divisions and staff in creating and nurturing community partnerships to facilitate the delivery of outdoor recreation services.
- Accountable for the development, monitoring and control of the Operations division budget.
- Acts as staff liaison to various community organizations and Council appointed committees as required.
- Maintains liaison with Provincial/Federal Ministries and Departments concerning the impact of government policies relative to the division’s services.
- Represents division in meetings, task forces, etc., with the regional staff, Police, inter-municipal consultants, other City departments concerning maintenance and operation of parks, outdoor sports fields, playgrounds, spray pads, parks washrooms and workshops, forestry, horticulture, cemetery and trails services.
- Provides oversight for staff training and development, licensing and standard operating procedure development.
- Ensure employees work in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, regulations, and Corporate Health and Safety Policies and Procedures, and to take every reasonable precaution to protect the worker, covering field staff, miscellaneous park amenities and washrooms and workshops.
- Receives, investigates and resolves public concerns and complaints. Represents the City as an expert witness in legal matters.
- Represents the department in Employee Relations, negotiation and grievance matters relevant to the area of responsibility.
- Consistently exemplifies the Corporate Core Values; Integrity, Respect, Inclusiveness and Service (IRIS).
- Provides back-up coverage for General Manager – Infrastructure Services.
What certificates we are looking for
- Hold one or more relevant professional designations or certifications, such as Landscape Architect, Professional Engineer, Advanced Parks Practitioner, Forester, Cemeterian, Recreation Facilities Professional, Arborist, or Turf Manager.
- Maintain membership in one or more applicable professional associations, such as the Ontario Parks Association (OPA), Ontario Association of Cemetery and Funeral Professionals (OACFP), Landscape Ontario, Canadian Parks and Recreation Association, Ontario Association of Landscape Architects, Canadian Society of Landscape Architects, or Green Infrastructure Ontario, Ontario Professional Foresters Association.
Education
Post secondary education completed in Sport Sciences, Forestry, Landscape Architecture, or equivalent.
Experience and Knowledge
- Operations of Municipal Parks, Forestry and/or Cemetery 10+ years.
- Supervisory level experience in a unionized environment 5 years.
- Extensive knowledge of the policies, rules, bylaws, industry, and regulations governing a very wide range of services delivered through departmental operations such as Bereavement Authority of Ontario, Highway Traffic Act. Acts related to Forestry, Ministry of Natural Resources, Parks, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pesticides, Species at Risk, Ontario Ministry of Sport.
- Familiarity with sports association regulations related to field and court maintenance standards.
- Thorough knowledge of modern management practices and principles as applied to municipal parks and public spaces operations.
- Considerable knowledge of occupational hazards pertaining to parks and sports field maintenance, construction work, cemetery, forestry, and horticulture, and of effective safety control and precautionary methods.
- Ability to provide a high degree of effective leadership including direct knowledge of each business function.
We will ask you for these items if you are hired
Proof of your current and valid certificate(s) and/or educational qualifications.
Supervisor Health and Safety Awareness Training Certificate from the Ministry of Labour (may be obtained post offer)
Valid G driver's license.
Your compensation
The annual salary range for this non-union position is $148,569 to $181,175 (Band Level 10). We offer a comprehensive benefits package and are an Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) employer.
Hours of work
Monday to Friday – 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (35 hours per week) or 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Evening and weekend support during major weather events
Occasional evening hours required to attend Council, public meetings, etc.
Advertisement expiration date
To apply, submit your candidate profile and application through cityONE Careers, prior to March 25, 2026.
Accommodation needs and protection of privacy
The City of Cambridge recognizes and appreciates diversity and inclusion enhances our public value commitment.
We strive to create an accessible and inclusive experience and encourage all qualified people to apply, including and especially people from equity-deserving groups. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment with honour and respect toward their individual dimensions of diversity.
We strive to remove barriers that may prevent qualified applicants from fully participating in the recruitment and selection process. Accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and other applicable legislation is available throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. Contact HRServices@Cambridge.ca to make your needs known in advance.
For more information on our Employment Equity, please read our full policy.
Personal information collected in relation to the recruitment process is collected under the authority outlined in the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and used solely to determine eligibility for employment with the City of Cambridge only.
About City of Cambridge Ontario
The City of Cambridge is one of the fastest growing areas in Canada. It is strategically located astride highway 401 in Southwestern Ontario, part of Canada’s Technology Triangle. In 2010, the population was over 130,000 people with a multicultural mix and a strong foundation of support services. Cambridge has a diverse economic base with leading industries in manufacturing, automotive, high technology, pharmaceutical, business and financial services and hospitality/retail. It’s about choice, options and value when you become part of the community.
You meet the nicest people in Cambridge. It’s a place that understands all about coming together. There is so much more to Cambridge than the beautiful lands created at the convergence of two rivers or its logistically perfect location in the heart of Ontario’s economic corridor. Cambridge is the coming together of people from diverse, close-knit and proud communities. The people of Cambridge ‘do the right thing’ by respecting history, family values, a sound work ethic, the arts, environment and advancement. A young city, Cambridge is a master of balancing the excitement and promise of the new with the historical significance and stability of the old. A place where coming together is just the start. Uniting together is what sets Cambridge apart. Undiscovered–Cambridge families and entrepreneurs get more for less, and sacrifice nothing.
See our Social Media Terms of Use: http://bit.ly/3GGn6rl
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Director of Operations - Parks, Forestry and Cemetery
Top Benefits
About the role
People, Place, Prosperity
Working within our Strategic Plan, Cambridge Connected , and committing to our values of Integrity, Respect, Inclusiveness and Service, the successful candidate will work together to help the City of Cambridge achieve our vision: A place for people to prosper – alive with opportunity.
Job Profile
Provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for divisional priorities, services, and programs across the following functional areas: operations and maintenance of parks, outdoor sports fields, playgrounds, spray pads, park washrooms and amenities, park workshops, forestry, horticulture, cemeteries, the Community Ambassador Team, community gardens, and trails. Responsibilities also include winter maintenance of sidewalks, walkways, and trails.
What you will be doing
- Provides leadership to staff responsible for the maintenance and year-round operation of varied types of infrastructure, including parks, outdoor sports fields, playgrounds, spray pads, parks washrooms and amenities, forestry and horticulture, Cemetery and Community Ambassador Team, Community Gardens, and Trails. Includes winter maintenance of sidewalks, walkways, and trails.
- Participates in the Senior Management Team (SMT), responsible for the development and implementation of corporate strategic initiatives particularly as it relates to the Operations division in accordance with the Governance Model.
- Responsible for service specific community and agency partnerships, and provide support, direction and leadership to other divisions and staff in creating and nurturing community partnerships to facilitate the delivery of outdoor recreation services.
- Accountable for the development, monitoring and control of the Operations division budget.
- Acts as staff liaison to various community organizations and Council appointed committees as required.
- Maintains liaison with Provincial/Federal Ministries and Departments concerning the impact of government policies relative to the division’s services.
- Represents division in meetings, task forces, etc., with the regional staff, Police, inter-municipal consultants, other City departments concerning maintenance and operation of parks, outdoor sports fields, playgrounds, spray pads, parks washrooms and workshops, forestry, horticulture, cemetery and trails services.
- Provides oversight for staff training and development, licensing and standard operating procedure development.
- Ensure employees work in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, regulations, and Corporate Health and Safety Policies and Procedures, and to take every reasonable precaution to protect the worker, covering field staff, miscellaneous park amenities and washrooms and workshops.
- Receives, investigates and resolves public concerns and complaints. Represents the City as an expert witness in legal matters.
- Represents the department in Employee Relations, negotiation and grievance matters relevant to the area of responsibility.
- Consistently exemplifies the Corporate Core Values; Integrity, Respect, Inclusiveness and Service (IRIS).
- Provides back-up coverage for General Manager – Infrastructure Services.
What certificates we are looking for
- Hold one or more relevant professional designations or certifications, such as Landscape Architect, Professional Engineer, Advanced Parks Practitioner, Forester, Cemeterian, Recreation Facilities Professional, Arborist, or Turf Manager.
- Maintain membership in one or more applicable professional associations, such as the Ontario Parks Association (OPA), Ontario Association of Cemetery and Funeral Professionals (OACFP), Landscape Ontario, Canadian Parks and Recreation Association, Ontario Association of Landscape Architects, Canadian Society of Landscape Architects, or Green Infrastructure Ontario, Ontario Professional Foresters Association.
Education
Post secondary education completed in Sport Sciences, Forestry, Landscape Architecture, or equivalent.
Experience and Knowledge
- Operations of Municipal Parks, Forestry and/or Cemetery 10+ years.
- Supervisory level experience in a unionized environment 5 years.
- Extensive knowledge of the policies, rules, bylaws, industry, and regulations governing a very wide range of services delivered through departmental operations such as Bereavement Authority of Ontario, Highway Traffic Act. Acts related to Forestry, Ministry of Natural Resources, Parks, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pesticides, Species at Risk, Ontario Ministry of Sport.
- Familiarity with sports association regulations related to field and court maintenance standards.
- Thorough knowledge of modern management practices and principles as applied to municipal parks and public spaces operations.
- Considerable knowledge of occupational hazards pertaining to parks and sports field maintenance, construction work, cemetery, forestry, and horticulture, and of effective safety control and precautionary methods.
- Ability to provide a high degree of effective leadership including direct knowledge of each business function.
We will ask you for these items if you are hired
Proof of your current and valid certificate(s) and/or educational qualifications.
Supervisor Health and Safety Awareness Training Certificate from the Ministry of Labour (may be obtained post offer)
Valid G driver's license.
Your compensation
The annual salary range for this non-union position is $148,569 to $181,175 (Band Level 10). We offer a comprehensive benefits package and are an Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) employer.
Hours of work
Monday to Friday – 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (35 hours per week) or 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Evening and weekend support during major weather events
Occasional evening hours required to attend Council, public meetings, etc.
Advertisement expiration date
To apply, submit your candidate profile and application through cityONE Careers, prior to March 25, 2026.
Accommodation needs and protection of privacy
The City of Cambridge recognizes and appreciates diversity and inclusion enhances our public value commitment.
We strive to create an accessible and inclusive experience and encourage all qualified people to apply, including and especially people from equity-deserving groups. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment with honour and respect toward their individual dimensions of diversity.
We strive to remove barriers that may prevent qualified applicants from fully participating in the recruitment and selection process. Accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and other applicable legislation is available throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. Contact HRServices@Cambridge.ca to make your needs known in advance.
For more information on our Employment Equity, please read our full policy.
Personal information collected in relation to the recruitment process is collected under the authority outlined in the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and used solely to determine eligibility for employment with the City of Cambridge only.
About City of Cambridge Ontario
The City of Cambridge is one of the fastest growing areas in Canada. It is strategically located astride highway 401 in Southwestern Ontario, part of Canada’s Technology Triangle. In 2010, the population was over 130,000 people with a multicultural mix and a strong foundation of support services. Cambridge has a diverse economic base with leading industries in manufacturing, automotive, high technology, pharmaceutical, business and financial services and hospitality/retail. It’s about choice, options and value when you become part of the community.
You meet the nicest people in Cambridge. It’s a place that understands all about coming together. There is so much more to Cambridge than the beautiful lands created at the convergence of two rivers or its logistically perfect location in the heart of Ontario’s economic corridor. Cambridge is the coming together of people from diverse, close-knit and proud communities. The people of Cambridge ‘do the right thing’ by respecting history, family values, a sound work ethic, the arts, environment and advancement. A young city, Cambridge is a master of balancing the excitement and promise of the new with the historical significance and stability of the old. A place where coming together is just the start. Uniting together is what sets Cambridge apart. Undiscovered–Cambridge families and entrepreneurs get more for less, and sacrifice nothing.
See our Social Media Terms of Use: http://bit.ly/3GGn6rl