Overview

The Town of Halton Hills is a dynamic region that combines metropolitan amenities with the charm of a small-town lifestyle. With a unique history and distinctive identity, we are proud of our achievements towards the preservation of our cultural heritage and natural environment, including the Niagara Escarpment, the Bruce Trail and the Credit River Valley. Made up of the two urban areas of Acton and Georgetown and including the hamlets of Stewarttown, Hornby, Limehouse, Glen Williams and Norval, we have an active population of over 55,000. Halton Hills is just a 40-minute drive from Toronto and minutes from the 401 and 407 interchange. The Town of Halton Hills and its employees have six shared core values that guide the way the Town delivers services and as importantly, how it treats employees and how employees treat each other. In their own voice, employees talk about how the core values – respect, honesty, excellence, creativity, fun and team – come to life every day.

Key Responsibilities

Reporting to the Commissioner of Planning and Infrastructure, the Town Engineer is accountable for the overall leadership of the Engineering Division inclusive of the Design and Construction section and the Transportation and Development Engineering section and maintaining responsibility for departmental land acquisition requirements, transportation planning, traffic operations, development engineering and storm water management. The Town Engineer ensures that all projects meet professional engineering requirements and standards and has the official sign-off on all Town plans.

As the Engineering Services Division Leader, the Town Engineer:

Directs and develops the strategic direction of the engineering division, translating the vision into strategic and operational objectives to deliver on divisional core responsibilities and to achieve department/corporate objectives
Leads and builds an effective team, in accordance with leadership expectations that model the Town values
Champions and integrates corporate programs and management practices to foster a positive, collaborative work environment where employees are empowered, accountable and supported in achieving divisional and personal objectives
Demonstrates oversight for asset and risk management, project management and internal/external service and customer standards
Develops and manages operating and capital budgets/forecast
Builds and maintains effective networks including members of Town Council, local/regional municipalities, provincial and broader public sector organizations as well as private sector organizations
Prepares reports and makes recommendations, attends Council meetings as required
Adherence to Occupational Health and Safety requirements and practices that ensure the wellbeing of employees

As a member of the Town’s Management Team:

Plays a key role through active participation in working groups and committees to provide input and develop/deliver on corporate processes and initiatives, project scoping and delivery, planning and budgeting as part of annual corporate planning cycle

Demonstrates leadership and accountability of division achievements with their ability to:

Develop the overall strategy of the division, working closely with senior staff, frontline staff and other key stakeholders
Lead the annual development of divisional priorities through the planning process, ensuring the priorities are aligned with department and/or corporate priorities
Direct the operational activity of the division, turning strategic initiatives into operational plans, overall alignment and performance of team, with oversight for project management and resourcing to ensure deliverables are met
Be responsible for developing and recommending plans (incl. master plans), polices and strategies to address both short term functional objectives and organizational objectives, actively participates in corporate planning as required
Identify and manages the resources and tools required to deliver results, within budget and quality standards
Direct the research, development and implementation of programs and initiatives and delivery of services, community engagement and establishes service standards
Develop effective communication systems to ensure department staff and other stakeholders are provided with timely, relevant and accurate information
Actively participate in corporate management committee meetings to discuss opportunities, challenges and collaborate on corporate wide initiatives

Actively develops the division reports and creates a highly engaged work environment reflective of the Towns culture and values as they:

Model the corporate values, foster engagement, create effective leadership teams and support an open exchange of ideas
Provide leadership, direction, motivation and development of others through regular coaching, career planning and proactive performance management
Ensure that the appropriate structure and resources are in place for the department to meet objectives
Support a healthy and respectful workplace through a commitment to safe work practices, diversity, work life balance with the ability to genuinely care about the wellbeing of employees
Delegate appropriate levels of authority and empower others to achieve with the expectation of accountability and regular feedback
Champions health and safety initiatives, conducts regular workplace/worksite inspections; enforces the Occupational Health and Safety code and Town OHS policies, informs employees of hazards of work

As Town Engineer, provide leadership in the development and operational management for:

Development of the long term infrastructure replacement, financing and rehabilitation programs through the preparation of the departmental yearly Capital Budget and nine year forecast
Management of the Town’s Infrastructure Management System including long term assessment and reporting of the cumulative engineering infrastructure deficit
Engineering operations to ensure consistency with Town priorities and best practices
Major transportation initiatives impacting the Town
Reports to Council on construction, development and traffic related projects; and attends Council meetings as required, provides professional technical advice to Council committees and outside agencies; provide in camera presentations to Council on departmental property requirements
The retention of consultants to carry out engineering projects on behalf of the Town; monitor consultants’ progress and evaluate their work
Professional liability for Division’s assignments as required by the Ontario Professional Engineers Act; review, sign and provide Professional Engineer’s stamp to engineering drawings prior to tendering
Liaison with other Town departments to provide professional engineering expertise as required
Assume the role and responsibilities of the Commissioner as required on a rotating basis

Provides accountable financial budget and asset management by:

Overseeing the operating and capital budget for the department of .$10 M
Managing provisions of the Capital Project Services in the review and approval of capital budget and operating budget expenditures for administration, design and rehabilitation, construction and reconstruction of municipal infrastructures. Contributes to the development of the department budget to achieve an optimal balance between cost and levels of service
Leading the division’s annual budget planning exercise; oversees and monitors all major expenditures within the sections; ensures efficient and effective budget planning processes are in place
Leading staff to find innovative ways to achieve operational efficiencies
Being accountable for overall management of department budget within all financial management policies
Ensuring asset management plans are updated
Fulfilling legal obligations and policy requirements (such as on acquisition, use and protection of material and property, the safeguard and management of information)

Drives innovative change through:

Leading divisional change management activities as a member of the Management Team
Creating a culture conducive to innovation that fosters a continuous improvement environment within the division through challenging the status quo and seeking alternative solutions and collaborative change management

Other duties:

As may be assigned by the Commissioner and Council from time to time
Participates as a member of the Town Emergency Operations Control Group and fulfills responsibilities as assigned subject to changing needs
Actively participates in emergency training and mock disasters and responds to emergency situations as required by the Town and the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act

Technical / Professional Skills

Significant and proven experience in municipal engineering design and capital construction management, development engineering, traffic engineering/transportation planning, utility coordination, environmental engineering and the application of engineering and asset management principles, theories and practices in a municipal environment
Strong knowledge of Infrastructure Management Systems (IMS); knowledge of municipal property acquisition and disposal procedures
Sound knowledge of Ontario Provincial Standards, Engineering Design standards, structural and road reconstruction practices
A strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem solving skills
Capable of in-depth research to inform decision-making and able to grasp the impact of decisions and errors made
Able to set goals and execution of a work plan for yourself and others on your team
Demonstrated ability to think creatively about issues and complex projects assigned
Able to maintain and promote collaborative working relationships across the organization
Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of coaching and mentoring, effective supervision, training, proven leadership skills and an effective motivator of people. Skills and experience in championing and facilitating change as well as building confidence among peers, Town Council and the community
A high level of communication skills in all areas; ability to deal with competing public interest and/or highly controversial issues within a public forum; able to build and maintain effective networks with key partners and centers of influence
Excellent facilitation, negotiation and project management skills
Confidentiality and discretion in dealing with sensitive matters
Strong time management and organizational skills
Sound knowledge of applicable Federal and Provincial legislation including the Occupational Health and Safety Act and AODA standards
Ability to ensure a high level of confidentiality is maintained
Self-motivated, positive, confident and approachable with a clear sense of purpose
Respectful of diverse opinions and perspectives
Committed to excellent customer service

Leadership Expectations

Leads – leads by example and communicates a compelling vision that inspires others to want to follow
Accountable for Results – takes ownership of responsibilities and produces results through the timely implementation and evaluation of programs and policies
Develops People and Culture – demonstrates alignment with the Town’s values and genuinely fosters the long term learning and development of others
Business and Political Acumen – enhances performance and builds trust by understanding the impact of decisions, issues and outcomes on the Town’s business needs and strategic priorities
Communicates and Builds Relationships – proactively builds and maintains professional relationships, networks and/or contacts and effectively works and communicates across the organization
Drives Innovative Change – develops an environment which embraces change, encourages acceptance and guides other to proactively, effectively and efficiently move through transition
Strategic Agility – maintains an awareness of internal and external trends (political, inter-governmental and community of interest) and applies this knowledge to support the long-range vision and success of the Town

Qualifications / Preferred Background

Successful completion of a 4-year degree program in Engineering Science or the equivalent of education and experience
Minimum 15 years of progressively responsible experience within private and municipal settings, including a minimum of 3-years as a senior leader ; in a municipal setting is an asset
Registered Professional Engineer in the Province of Ontario (required to be maintained)
Valid Ontario G Class G Divers License and supply of a personal vehicle to perform duties