Director of Development, Engineering & Operations

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, ENGINEERING & OPERATIONS

REPORTS TO:                        Chief Administrative Officer

REVISION DATE:                  December 2025

Position Summary

The Director of Development, Engineering & Operations is a senior administration team member responsible for the strategic management of key Municipal functional areas including that of Transportation, Fleet, Utilities, Development and Trades and implementing the Capital Plan. This role provides direct leadership to the Manager of Utilities, Manager of Development and Trades, Manager of Transportation, and the Administrative Assistant.

Key Performance Measures

• Budget Process: measured by timeliness and completeness of budget presentations.
• Budget Variance: measured in dollars and percentage over or under.
• Planning Process: measured by timeliness and completeness of the plan.
• Communications: measured by the timeliness and completeness of reports or information to the CAO, Staff and Council.
• Operational Effectiveness: measured by service standards for each function in the department.

Core Areas of Responsibility

1. Preparation of annual departmental capital and operating budgets. Monitors, controls and authorizes spending within the limits of the approved budget and authority delegated by the CAO. Presents any expenditure in excess of budget or any new budget items, along with supporting documentation, for approval.

2. Responsible for establishing department business plans and facilitating departmental goals and actions that compliment and support the Municipal Strategic Plan, Mission, and Vision as well as cost recoveries.

3. Participates as a member of the Municipal Leadership Team and Management Team. Works collaboratively with other Department Heads and Managers on initiatives and programs that transcend one functional area or are enterprise wide.

4. Responsible to build and foster lasting relationships both within the department and other departments, key business partners, community organizations and government agencies.

5. Leads all regularly scheduled meetings with the department managers to review Development, Engineering and Operations; communicate expectations; provide advice on policy or procedure changes; and to share information of general interest to the management team.

6. Recommends appropriate action or requests ratification for action taken to deal with matters requiring the CAO and Council approval.

7. Attends meetings of Council, other Committee meetings, to provide information and advice.

8. Provides leadership of the Development, Engineering and Operations Department including hiring, promoting, succession planning, goal setting, information sharing, training and performance evaluation of direct reports.

9. Ensures contracting goods and services by the Municipality for the department is done in compliance with all legislative requirements, by-laws and policies of Municipality. Reviews and recommends acceptance or rejection of properly submitted Requests for Proposals (RFP) tenders, quotations and proposals.

10. Responds to public enquiries, requests for information or complaints with regard to department activities, following the approved Municipal policy and procedure.

11. Establishes and maintains positive relationships with Federal or Provincial government departments and neighboring municipalities with respect to matters of interest to the Municipality as required.

12. Builds strong working knowledge of the Collective Agreement and works to ensure positive labour relations with the Union.

     

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of water and wastewater treatment systems and practices and water and wastewater distribution and collection systems.

• Knowledge of Municipal Operations and Public Works.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written, to interact with public, staff, and external agencies.

• Excellent conception and analytical skills, with strong facilitation and influencing skills.

• Knowledge of emergency preparedness and response.

• Skill in the application of lab analysis procedures and practices.

• Must be able to maintain confidentiality.

• Proficiency with Microsoft (Outlook, Word, Excel), SCADA, and GIS.

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and within a team environment.

• Ability to adapt to a demanding and dynamic work environment.

• Ability to interpret, develop, implement, and adhere to organizational policies and procedures.

• Labour relations experience in a unionized environment.

• Ability to deal effectively with conflict resolution.

• Time and project management experience.

• Ability to be positive leader and build morale with staff.

Education and Experience

1. Preference will be given to Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) or Certified Engineering Technologist (C.E.T.) registered with ASET. Other degrees may be considered if supported by relevant work experience.
2. A minimum of five years of progressive management experience, leading a diverse team of operations, development and engineering professionals ideally in a municipal setting.
3. In depth knowledge and application of engineering practices, standards and guidelines including the Municipal Government Act, Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act and other related acts, directives, codes of practice, standards and guidelines in Alberta.

Competencies and Behaviours

• Integrity and Trust – Seen as a direct, truthful individual; widely trusted and adheres to a strong set of core values.
• Leadership Skills – Provides leadership while giving guidance and support. Mentors and is a positive role model who empowers staff and incorporates the views of others, while not shying away from having difficult conversations when the situation warrants it.
• Interpersonal Skills - Relates well to all kinds of people inside and outside the organization; uses diplomacy and tact to diffuse tense situations; makes people feel important and valued.
• Action Oriented – Can be counted on to get things done; energetic, with a bias for action; makes good decisions in a timely manner.
• Composure – Cool under pressure; can handle stress; is a settling influence in a crisis.
• Planning & Organizing – Can marshal resources to get things done; uses resources effectively and efficiently; set clear expectations; designs practical processes and procedures.
• Communications – Able to speak and write clearly; able to get the desired message across to a variety of audiences. Will have a good understanding of marketing and how to promote the Municipality.

• Problem Solving – Uses rigorous logic and methods to investigate and solve problems; excellent at analysis; looks beyond the obvious; able to develop practical and innovative solutions.

  Political Savvy – Can maneuver through complex political situations effectively and quietly; anticipates sensitive issues and plans an appropriate strategy.