ABOUT THE MUNICIPALITY OF PORT HOPE
The Municipality of Port Hope is a remarkably picturesque community located on the shore of Lake Ontario and nestled in the Northumberland Hills.
With a population of 16,500 and thriving business and tourism sectors, Port Hope is a unique, inclusive municipality dedicated to fostering an active, healthy, vibrant, and caring community, and offering a wonderful blend of rural and urban lifestyles.
Port Hope’s most valuable resource is its highly skilled, qualified, and motivated employees who are committed to meeting the needs of residents and businesses by delivering efficient and effective services with an approach that is financially sustainable and environmentally responsible.
ABOUT THE ROLE
As a member of the Senior Management team, the Director, Development Services is responsible for strategic leadership, planning, management, and administration of the Municipality of Port Hope’s economic development, land use planning, building services and transit departments.
The Director will incorporate Council and relevant community development priorities based on the Municipality’s strategic priorities and in alignment with Provincial policy and legislation.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- As a member of the Senior Management Team, works collaboratively across departments to achieve corporate objectives, advance organizational effectiveness, and implement corporate strategies, policies and projects.
- Provide leadership, vision, strategic thinking, risk assessment/management, fiscal responsibility, and manage staff while incorporating best practices, technological advances, corporate strategic goals, priorities, mission, values, short and long-range growth planning and management and the interests of the public. The Director shall ensure that the actions of the department and staff comply with Corporate Policy, Strategic Plan and all applicable Municipal, Federal and Provincial requirements.
- Demonstrate positive leadership through the leadership of staff, including developing a competent management team, directing/guiding work assignments, revising position responsibilities, performance management, identifying and supporting professional development needs/training, administration of payroll, coaching, motivating and empowering staff to meet the expectations of the position.
- Lead, through the Manager, Planning, the Municipal compliance with Provincial land-use legislation, policies and plans, including but not limited the Provincial Policy Statement, Growth Plan and Ontario Planning Act.
- Lead, through the Manager, Planning the development and management of strategies and policies for the residential planning and development of the rural and urban areas of the community; incorporating long-range community planning for regional passenger transit services; the increased demand for housing, the need for affordable and attainable housing and the development of planning policies that respect the rich heritage of Port Hope and considers impacts of climate change.
- Lead, through the Manager, Economic Development and the Manager, Planning, the development and management of strategies and policies for the economic development of the Municipality; addressing the business development pressures that are moving outside the Greater Toronto area by seeking and incorporating in the short and long-range planning the development of affordable business lands with adequate services and costs.
- Lead, through the Manager, Economic Development, the development and management of strategies and policies that may include economic development; business retention and expansion; investment attraction, commercial/industrial sector development; marketing; tourism; Downtown revitalization and related Community Improvement Plans; incorporating the vision for the downtown development, physical design enhancement and property improvements to meet the community objectives.
- Lead the development and management of strategies, policies and long-range planning for the community and related landscape design, following the Port Hope Area Initiative environmental remediation, engaging community, and key stakeholders to envision the use and appearance of the waterfront and riverfront area including the harbour, West beach, and Ganaraska River.
- Lead, through the Chief Building Official, the administration and enforcement of the Ontario Building Code, and other Statutes and By-laws on the use and occupancy of buildings and properties within the Municipality of Port Hope.
- Ensure that the Planning, Economic Development and Building Departments work together to ensure that Council priorities, administrative direction, and community needs are met.
- Working with key stakeholders, develop strategies to support the rural community ensuring its long-term success in evolving circumstances.
- Develop and manage the Development Services Department’s long and short-term financial planning and the department’s operating and capital budget; develop costing and prioritize capital initiatives and operating requirements to optimize programs and services with financial accountability to the taxpayer; monitor and ensure expenditures are consistent with operating objectives and source funding programs wherever available.
- Exercise knowledge of the Municipality’s “Health and Safety Policy” and ensure that Departmental operating procedures comply with these provisions and those of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its Regulations, including WHMIS. Take all reasonable and necessary precautions to ensure the safety of oneself, other employees, the public, and any person likely to be affected by the employee’s acts or omissions. Participate as may be required by the Municipality’s Emergency Plan.
- Represent the department and provide advice and recommendations to the Council, the public, special purpose bodies, committees, government agencies, stakeholders, and interest groups by communicating information and corporate objectives; recommend courses of action and facilitate solutions affecting administration and/or service delivery; attend Council meetings, Committee of the Whole meetings and other Committees of Council as required.
- Authorize and review Expressions of Interest, Requests for Quotation and Requests for Proposals; and write and/or review Committee of the Whole and/or Council Reports.
- Oversee the department’s Municipal Asset Management Planning, including data validation; condition assessments; levels of service; service risks; lifecycles; operations, maintenance and replacement cost; as well as reviewing and making recommendations regarding the Municipality’s Asset Management Plan. This position is a member of the Asset Management Steering Committee which provides direction for ongoing development of Municipal Asset Management Planning.
- Maintain positive liaison with the media, other municipal administrations, local boards and utilities, government ministries, community groups and organizations to ensure good public relations, exchange of knowledge, solutions and best practice improvements related to the work of the department and the Municipality.
- Provide a positive, professional image to the public and promote the Corporate Strategic Plan of the Municipality and the Department. Demonstrate commitment to personal and professional development by remaining current with new legislation, regulations, technology and organizational theory and practices relating to the Municipality.
- Adhere to high standards of ethical behaviour and demonstrate understanding that personal actions impact the public’s perception of the Municipality.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- University degree in Business Administration and/or Public Administration Economic Development, Planning and Development or a related field.
- Postgraduate education is considered an asset.
- Registered Professional Planner Designation (RPP) would be an asset.
- A minimum of 8 years related experience with 5 years at a management level.
- Strong people management and leadership skills, including coaching, team building and employee development.
- Knowledge of municipal, provincial and federal acts, regulations and standards related to planning and economic development.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills including the ability to communicate strategic and department decisions that align people and objectives. Ability to facilitate discussion between working groups and the public.
- Exemplary Interpersonal and customer service skills.
- Proven ability to problem-solve and mediate difficult situations.
- Strategic, long-term and proactive planning skills; organizational and time management skills.
- Analytic, problem solving and decision-making skills.
- Valid and satisfactory ‘G’ driver’s license and access to own vehicle.
- Valid and satisfactory Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check.
DIVERSITY AND ACCOMMODATION
The Municipality of Port Hope offers diverse, challenging work while maintaining a healthy, safe, and productive work environment for its employees.
They value diversity in their workforce and focus on attracting and retaining employees who can work together effectively to meet the needs of their community.
We are pleased to accommodate individual needs following the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), within our recruitment process.
If you require accommodation at any time throughout the recruitment process, please contact us.
HOW TO APPLY
To express interest in this exciting opportunity, email your cover letter and resume to:
Patrick Rowan, Partner
Email: prowan@feldmandaxon.com
Personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and is used to determine eligibility for potential employment.