Jobs

The Township of Warwick is a progressive rural community with Eastern Lambton County and home to 4,000 residents. The economic foundation is built on agriculture/agri-business, local retail and institutional services and regional industries. The township offers a range of quality parks and recreation services, along with roads, fire, public works, and related services to its residents.

Position Overview

The Parks and Recreation Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of and facility planning associated with the Township's Arena, community halls, park and recreation facilities. The scope of responsibility involves ice and floor rentals / sales for the arena, concession operations, hall rentals and maintenance contracts, recreation program development and delivery and marketing and communication’s activities aligned with the approved Township Parks and Recreation Master Plan, along with the provision of technical and other supports to community-based recreation groups to assist them in the development, promotion and the volunteer development components of their community activities.

The position directs mechanical maintenance of Township parks and recreation equipment; working with finance staff to produce budget and operating department within budget; supervising staff; reporting to Council regularly; ensuring all record keeping, reporting and accounting for the department is carried out properly; and maintaining liaison with concerned property owners, community recreation and event groups, regulatory bodies, neighbouring municipalities and County Officials and others as required.

The position requires the working of irregular hours on a daily and weekly basis.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Directions for Parks and Recreation Services

• Ensure development of an annual marketing plan to support the maximum sales / use of all sport and rental facilities / venues and recreation programs related to both in and off season use.
• Ensure daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual schedules of facility / venue maintenance, housekeeping and operations for staff to follow, adapting the schedules to daily events and needs as related to the ebb and flow of facility/venue utilization, weather and other factors, which support their maximum utilization.
• Direct the safe operation of all recreation facilities/venues, by instituting and enforcing all regulatory and statutory requirements associated with the facility, including health and safety, fire code and related requirements.
• Oversee the concession operation through a supervisor or contractor to ensure maximum net revenue production, customer satisfaction, health standard requirements, security of the inventory and funds, and related outcomes.
• Annually work with the Treasurer/Deputy Administrator to identify capital budget requirements to support the effective maintenance and asset management of the Watford Arena, township halls/community centres, library, park and historical buildings for presentation to the Administrator/Clerk and Council.
• Work with the Treasurer/Deputy Administrator to ensure appropriate cash management systems are in place for the collection, security, reconciliation and depositing of financial proceeds that are the property of the Township on a daily basis and in conformity with Township financial management policies and procedures.
• Direct the supervision of arena and hall/community centre staff, both full time and seasonal, to ensure the safe utilization of all equipment, to provide coverage for all hours the facility is open and to ensure appropriate training in all arena systems, procedures and customer service requirements, fund handling, etc.
• Ensure that there are ice, floor and room booking systems in place that can be utilized by staff during all hours of operation, and undertake bookings directly as appropriate.
• Based on an approved Township recreation programs plan, ensure the development and delivery of recreation programs that:
  • Maximize the utilization of Township facilities
  • Sustain recreation programs within the community directly or through community organizations
  • Provide supports to community groups in the provision of their recreation programs and services
• Every three years, have undertaken a recreation programs needs assessment to ascertain whether there are recreations service opportunities and needs in the community that should be addressed, either by the Township or in partnership / collaboration with community groups and organizations.
• Ensure, on behalf of the Township, the implementation of a volunteer recognition program as directed by Council.
• Remain current in regards to community recreation trends and opportunities, liaisoning with other neighbouring municipalities and broader recreation organizations to ensure a comprehensive awareness of recreational opportunities and directions that could impact the Watford Arena, the Township halls, and local recreation programs, parks, etc.
• Prepare an annual operating budget for Parks and Recreation, and work with Treasurer/Deputy Administrator to review variances in revenues and expenses, taking direct action to mitigate negative variances.
• Regularly liaises with the financial staff of the Township and direct the P&R Administrative Coordinator relative to accounts payable, accounts receivable, purchase orders, etc., within the Township's policies.
• Responsible within Township human resource policies for the supervision, training, recruitment and discipline of all assigned staff.
• Ensure the implementation of Township policies and procedures in regards to purchase orders, financial transactions, reporting, statistics, etc.

Recreation Programs

• Based on an approved Township recreation programs plan, undertake the development and delivery of recreation programs that:
  • Maximize the utilization of Township facilities
  • Sustain recreation programs within the community directly or through Community organizations
  • Provide supports to community groups in the provision of their recreation programs and services
• Undertake an annual plan for the development, marketing and promotion of recreation programs and services, including an annual budget.

Park Facilities

• Undertake the allocation of all Township ball fields, soccer pitches, contracting of park concessions and related resources and liaise directly with user groups within Township policies and procedures.
• Liaise with the Public Works Department to ensure the effective maintenance of all parks and sport fields, playground equipment and related infrastructure within the parks to Township standards, health and safety requirements, etc., providing to the Public Works Department the most current information on park infrastructure standards, safety, operational and related considerations.
• Periodically undertake a needs identification review for modifications or improvements to sportsfields and park infrastructure or additions to the inventory, providing through the Administrator / Treasurer to Council annual budget requirements for these facilities, along with capital improvements or financial requirements, ensuring full liaison with community groups and users involving their financial support.
• Ensure that any user fees associated with the rental of Township sportsfields or park infrastructure are processed according to Township policies and procedures, are secure and are provided on a timely basis to the Township's administrative office.

Administrative

• Work with the Administrator/Clerk and the Treasurer/Deputy Administrator to identify grant possibilities and the preparation of grant proposals based on approvals in conjunction with community organizations for recreation, parks, facility or other initiatives.
• Oversee capital projects as directed by the Administrator/Clerk to ensure conformity with specifications, requirements, Township policies and procedures, etc.
• Address public enquiries, concerns, complaints and related considerations in regards to the Township's arena, halls, recreation programs and parks.
• Participate on the Township's senior management team (SMT), reviewing and providing inputs into proposed policies, programs and systems, preparing strategies for municipal growth, communication issues and process and other tasks assigned to the team.
• As assigned, prepare reports as requested by Council, the Recreation Committee and the Administrator / Clerk.
• Attend all Council and Recreation Committee meetings as required, making recommendations and submitting reports on park and recreation and related issues
• Act as the Township's Management Health and Safety Co-ordinator.
• Undertake other duties as assigned by the Township Administrator / Clerk.
• Direct the purchasing of day to day supplies for parks and recreation and approves supplies purchased by authorized staff.
• With the P&R Administration Coordinator, ensure that all record keeping, accounting, billing and reporting for public works and recreation services are carried out accurately and on schedule, submitting information, reviewing and approving reports and working with auditors.
• Operate, within budgetary allocations, ensuring funds are spent in an efficient manner, taking remedial action where needed and reporting to Council regularly on activities.
• Supervise assigned staff, including:
  • Screening and interviewing applicants, for permanent and part time positions, recommending hirings to Council.
  • Drawing up work schedules, providing training and advice to workers, reviewing performance, dealing with disciplinary matters, approving overtime, etc., and recommending terminations to the Administrator / Clerk and Council.
  • If applicable, acting as a stage in the grievance procedure and as a resource during union negotiations.
  • Consulting with the Administrator / Clerk on employee relations matters in sensitive situations or where policy issues are involved, including input on collective agreement negotiations.
  • Providing necessary training on equipment procedures for department employees.

Qualifications

• A diploma from an accredited community college in recreation or related program, or a commiserate combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated marketing and financial capabilities related to recreation facilities and operations, including budgeting and financial monitoring and controls.
• Appropriate refrigeration and ice making certification as per regulatory requirements for the Watford Arena.
• A valid Ontario Driver's License and other appropriate certifications, licenses, etc., required to fulfill the requirements of the position.
• Interpersonal skills in working with the public, overseeing contracts, supervising staff and providing leadership to the recreation function of the Township.
• Demonstrated familiarity with and ability to lead health and safety programs and procedures across the Township operations.
• Approved WHIMIS qualifications and a valid Ontario driver's license must be maintained.
• Familiarity with computer systems as they apply to municipal governments, facility bookings, inventory control and related functions.
• Strong presentation skills, eg: verbal, written, etc., in support of community initiatives, proposal writing, etc.
• A minimum of five years directly related experience, with preferably a minimum of two years at a supervisory level or other leadership role.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants are asked to apply online at www.lambtononline.ca/jobs and select Job# J1121-0949. The deadline to apply is Thursday December 16, 2021.The Township of Warwick has partnered with the County of Lambton to advertise this job opportunity. The full job description can be found in the job posting from the link above.

Any questions regarding this job opportunity with the Township of Warwick should be directed to:

Amanda Gubbels, CAO/Clerk
Phone: 519-849-3926