Now Hiring: Manager, Parks & Naturalized Areas

The Corporation of the Town of Amherstburg is recruiting for a Manager, Parks & Naturalized Areas.

Reporting to the Director, Parks, Facilities, and Recreation, the Manager of Parks and Naturalized Areas is responsible for coordinating park renewal and redevelopment projects, and the day-to-day management, supervision, maintenance, and operation of all municipal parks, naturalized areas and open space plazas within the Town. The Manager is responsible for the strategic initiatives of the division and the supervision, training, scheduling unionized staff, overseeing all external maintenance contracts and the implementation, planning, organizing, coordinating and directing activities, staff, and contractors required for the successful operation of the division. The Manager is responsible for the implementation and maintenance of the Town’s asset management strategies, and maintenance programs to ensure compliance with applicable construction legislation, codes and guidelines. The Parks asset profile is the third largest in the Town encompassing various types of parks and open space such as regional, community and neighbourhood parks, naturalized areas regulated by the Ministry and community facilities open to the public (evenings and weekends) to provide service to both municipal staff and recreational services to the community.

Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes, and directs a comprehensive parks program including responsibility for the development, maintenance and effective operation and utilization of recreational parks and greenspaces;
• Coordinates resources for festivals and events;
• Develops short- and long-term goals and objectives by evaluating needs of user groups, committees and citizens;
• Performs administrative and managerial responsibilities in accordance with policies, procedures and practices relating to hiring, training, planning, assigning and directing work to staff;
• Monitors day to day operations through meetings with key staff, site visits and inspections;
• Coordinates projects with outside contractors and staff from other departments;
• Provides administrative support to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee, River Lights Festival, and Special Events Committee;
• Designs bed layouts and oversee installation of basket, planter and flower program throughout Parks and Municipal buildings;
• Attends meetings and provides direction and input into process improvements;
• In consultation with the Director, sets the Capital and Operational Budgets for Parks and reviews the level of service to ensure they meet the Town’s Strategic Plan goals and objectives;
• Manages and oversees a team of including full time, part time, and students, in accordance with the Town’s Collective Agreement, as applicable
• Directs staff and monitors Winter Control duties at Parks and Municipal buildings;
• Performs on call activities as one (1) of four (4) Managers on the 24/7 Personnel On call list;
• Understands and adheres to the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Town health and safety policies and procedures; and
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Must have University degree in Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Horticulture, Engineering or other related equivalent discipline, which with applicable combination of education and experience meet requirements of this position;
• Professional level courses or certifications in Landscape Design/Horticultural; Facility and Business Management; Public Relations, Human Resources, Labour Relations and Municipal Management, Parks Management, considered an asset; and
• Must hold designation as a Certified Playground Safety Inspector CPSI in Ontario.
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of related legislation such as the Occupational Health & Safety Act, Drainage Act, Ontario Building Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Fire Code and other application legislation;
• Knowledge and understanding of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles and practices, certificate course, considered and asset;
• Demonstrated judgement and ability to critically assess options within the context of applicable legislation and Town policies to guide decisions;
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of corporate core competencies including customer service, communication, teamwork, initiative/self-management, accountability, flexibility and adaptability;
• General knowledge of Municipal legislation and general business practices and protocol;
• Extensive applicable knowledge of park infrastructure and design principles and practices including playground and splash pad operations and maintenance with preventative maintenance systems; and
• Thorough knowledge of Parks equipment/components and maintenance programs including knowledge and experience with irrigation systems, park infrastructure facility maintenance/management, building codes, report writing, how to read construction and design drawing and specifications.

Work Experience

Minimum five (5) years experience in municipal government and experience in Parks or an equivalent management position with other levels of government, corporate or non-profit sector.

Employment Level

Full-time

Work Conditions

Majority of work is split between indoor and outdoor environment in all weather conditions, with travel between work sites as required. Hours of work are 37.5 per week including evening and weekends and on call duties as required, including winter control operations.  Direct oversight responsibility and point of contact for staff working evenings and weekends. Safety equipment as required (i.e. safety shoes, glasses/goggles, hearing protection, etc.). Manual dexterity to use desktop computer, peripherals, etc. Operation of motor vehicle. Occasional lifting up to 22 kg.

The 2026 salary range for this position is  $115,917 to $144,896

Eligibility Statement

We appreciate all applications and expressions of interest however, only those selected for an interview will be acknowledged. Personal information is collected pursuant to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), 2001 S.O. 2001 and will be used solely for the purpose of candidate selection.

Equity Statement

The Corporation of the Town of Amherstburg is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing an equitable, inclusive and barrier free recruitment and selection process and in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and Accessibility for Ontarian's with Disabilities Act (AODA), 2005 will accommodate the needs of applicants. Applicants invited to participate in the recruitment and selection process are asked to inform Human Resources staff of the nature of any accommodations and we will work with you to address your needs.

Applications are accepted until 11:59 p.m. on July 22, 2026, and will only be accepted via the Town's online application platform.

Our hiring processes do not include the use of artificial intelligence to screen, assess or select applicants.