Superintendent Forestry

City of Hamilton located at Hamilton, Ontario is currently accepting applications for the position of Superintendent Forestry. The company is looking for a motivated individual with strong interpersonal skills who is ready to start as soon as possible. This is a permanent full-time position with a hybrid work arrangement.

Employer Name : City of Hamilton
Position : Superintendent Forestry
Salary: $63.663 – $79.579 per hour
Employment type : Permanent, Full-Time
Location : Hamilton, Ontario (Hybrid)

• The candidate must provide strategic leadership and direction to supervisors overseeing urban forestry operations, including tree planting, tree maintenance, risk assessments, tree removal, stump removal, tree watering, mulching, and emergency response activities.
• The candidate must lead workforce planning, recruitment, performance management, labour relations, succession planning, and employee development initiatives to support operational excellence and achieve organizational objectives.
• The candidate will be required to promote a workplace culture focused on accountability, teamwork, innovation, customer service excellence, and continuous improvement throughout Forestry and Horticulture.
• The candidate must provide expert advice, coaching, and technical guidance to supervisory staff on urban forestry operations, industry best practices, emerging technologies, and regulatory requirements.
• The candidate must act on behalf of the Manager when delegated and participate as a member of departmental and divisional leadership teams.

Service Delivery and Operational Management

• The candidate must direct the planning, delivery, monitoring, and continuous improvement of urban forestry operations to achieve approved service levels, meet regulatory requirements, maintain customer service standards, and support strategic objectives.
• The candidate must oversee the development and implementation of annual work plans, operational priorities, performance targets, and resource allocation strategies to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.
• The candidate must provide leadership and direction to supervisors managing emergency preparedness and response activities related to the urban forest, including storm events and incidents affecting public safety and municipal assets.
• The candidate must establish and monitor key performance indicators, service delivery metrics, and operational analytics to evaluate performance, identify improvements, implement corrective actions, and achieve service delivery standards.
• The candidate must oversee contractor performance, procurement activities, service agreements, and contract administration to ensure compliance with specifications, budgets, and performance expectations.
• The candidate must direct investigations related to operational issues, customer escalations, liability claims, and risk management matters while ensuring appropriate resolutions are achieved.

Strategic Planning and Stakeholder Relations

• The candidate must contribute to the development and implementation of urban forestry strategies, operational plans, business plans, policies, and service delivery models that support sustainable urban forest management.
• The candidate must build and maintain effective relationships with government agencies, elected officials, community organizations, industry associations, environmental groups, utility providers, and other stakeholders.
• The candidate must assist senior leadership in preparing and presenting reports, recommendations, briefing materials, and operational updates for senior leadership, committees, Council, and external stakeholders as required.
• The candidate will be required to work with internal departments and divisions to coordinate integrated service delivery and support corporate initiatives and cross-functional projects.

Financial and Asset Management

• The candidate must manage operating and capital budgets for urban forestry programs and initiatives while ensuring effective financial stewardship of fleet, equipment, and material resources.
• The candidate must develop budget forecasts and resource plans while monitoring expenditures to ensure programs are delivered within approved funding limits and performance expectations.
• The candidate must support asset management planning and promote the effective use of enterprise technologies, GIS, and operational data systems to improve decision-making and program performance.

Health, Safety and Legislative Compliance

• The candidate will be responsible for ensuring all urban forestry programs and activities follow applicable legislation, regulatory requirements, standards, collective agreements, municipal by-laws, and corporate policies.
• The candidate must promote and maintain a strong health and safety culture by ensuring employees receive appropriate training, hazards are mitigated, incidents are prevented, and safety practices continue to improve.
• The candidate will be responsible for ensuring operational programs follow established arboricultural standards, apply effective risk management principles, and align with current industry best practices.
• The candidate must identify, recommend, and implement operational improvements, business process enhancements, and fleet and technology solutions to improve service delivery, efficiency, workforce effectiveness, and customer experience.
• The candidate must lead the evaluation of operational performance and service outcomes by using data analysis and stakeholder feedback to support continuous improvement initiatives.
• The candidate must perform other duties as assigned that are related to the responsibilities of the position.

Job Requirements

• The candidate must have a degree or diploma in Urban Forestry, Arboriculture, Forestry, Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Landscape Architecture, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• The candidate must hold a recognized professional certification or designation relevant to the position, such as ISA Certified Arborist, ISA Municipal Specialist, ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ), Registered Professional Forester (RPF), or an equivalent credential.
• The candidate must have considerable supervisory experience in a unionized public-sector environment or an equivalent combination of experience and training that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the position.
• The candidate must demonstrate experience and knowledge in urban forestry operations, including industry best practices, urban forest management, risk management, and project management theories and practices to manage operational tasks, review, approve, and implement work plans and budgets.
• The candidate must have specific knowledge of tree dynamics, morphology, physiology, and dendrology related to tree species commonly found in the Hamilton area.
• The candidate must have thorough knowledge of applicable legislation, by-laws, and regulations related to municipal urban forest management.
• The candidate must demonstrate the ability to prioritize organizational needs and develop, communicate, implement, manage, monitor, measure, adjust, and achieve work plans aligned with organizational objectives.
• The candidate must demonstrate strong leadership, investigative, facilitation, communication, presentation, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• The candidate must demonstrate success in developing employees through performance management, training, coaching, and succession planning initiatives.
• The candidate must demonstrate success in preventing and controlling workplace hazards while promoting a safe work environment.
• The candidate must have specific knowledge of the Health and Safety Act, Labour Relations Act, and Human Rights legislation as they relate to the position.
• The candidate must possess strong written and oral communication skills to provide excellent customer service and effectively communicate with the public, elected officials, management, coworkers, NGOs, partner service providers, and contractors.
• The candidate must have excellent technical skills and proficiency with Microsoft and ESRI software applications, as well as Enterprise Asset Management systems.
• The candidate must possess a valid Class “G” Driver’s Licence.

Work conditions

• The candidate will be required to work 35 hours per week.