Chief Administrative Officer

About the Municipality

Woodlands County’s Administration Office is located within the Town of Whitecourt approximately 150 kilometers northwest of Edmonton, Alberta. Woodlands County also maintains a regional office in Fort Assiniboine, AB, to further serve and assist the community. The official 2021 Census lists the County population just over 4,550. The County covers 7,668 square kilometers, and surrounds the Town of Whitecourt, and the Hamlets of Blue Ridge, Goose Lake and Fort Assiniboine.

Woodlands County’s economy is supported by forestry, aggregate, oil and gas, agriculture, tourism and indoor and outdoor recreation. Collectively the communities within the County offer access to many services and amenities including hospitals, airport, primary, secondary, and access to post-secondary education, secondary medical and pharmaceutical services, fire protection, policing, seniors and supportive living care and housing, community organizations, shopping and a multitude of recreation facilities, green spaces, sports fields, arenas, curling rinks, parks, lakes, and rivers.

The County is legislated under the Alberta Municipal Government Act and is governed by a Council comprised of seven (7) Councillors from which a Reeve and Deputy Reeve are appointed.

Mission Statement:

We are a diverse and welcoming rural community that strives to provide exceptional opportunities for our families, businesses, and industries for the benefit of current and future generations.

Core values:

Identity
Proudly rural. As part of rural Alberta, we are proud to supply resources that sustain the quality of life for the region, province, country, and beyond.
Integrity
Being accountable, being committed, and accepting ownership for one’s decisions, actions, and behavior.
Collaborative
We promote the quality of life of our residents by building and maintaining strong relationships with alliances and work to benefit the region as a whole.
Transparent
We want input from the public and to conduct ourselves in an open, honest, and respectful manner.
Diversity
We respect the unique needs of the different geographic and demographic sectors of our community and work hard to understand them.
Natural Resources
We recognize and respect the beauty of the Woodlands region.
Sustainability
Meeting our own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own.

Relevant Documents:
Strategic Plan 2022-2025
Budget & Financial Information

About the Opportunity

It is expected that the Chief Administrative Officer will reside within the municipality and therefore be willing to relocate if required.

Reporting to Council, the Chief Administrative Officer (“CAO”), is the most senior executive responsible enacting Council’s vision and direction. In addition, the CAO is accountable for the overall leadership, planning, reporting, budgeting, management, and administration of municipal operations as guided by the objectives, plans and policies approved by Council and in accordance with the Municipal Governance Act (“MGA”).

Direct Reports:

Director of Corporate Services
Director of Infrastructure Services
Legislative Services and Communications Coordinator
Director of Community Services
Assistant Chief Administrative Officer

The Ideal Candidate

The Chief Administrative Officer is responsible for providing corporate leadership for the general management and stewardship of the municipality. An ideal Chief Administrative Officer should be self-motivated, collaborative, and a participatory leader. In addition to having mature tact and diplomacy skills, they will have the ability to build trusting relationships with Council and Staff. They will have exceptional interpersonal skills, the ability to build and empower strong teams, and the capacity to work with a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders. They should also have the capacity to work cohesively with elected officials, community organizations, industry, agencies, chambers of commerce, other municipalities and residents. They should possess the ability to invite and welcome diverse perspectives in a respectful environment and facilitate impactful outcomes. It would be beneficial if they possess personal or work-related experience within a rural community or environment.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) reports to Council and will:

Leadership and Staff Relationship

Provide positive leadership, supervision, direction, mentorship and coaching to the administrative team, and review the performance goals and objectives of the leadership team, direct reports, and employees of the County.
Champion a positive corporate culture by personally demonstrating and engaging with staff.
Conduct oneself in an honest and ethical manner.
Engage staff in the development and review of annual goals and objectives.
Provide practical guidance and timely advice, as required.
Ensure that staff issues and concerns are addressed respectfully.
Implement any internal reorganization of responsibilities and duties required for the effective and efficient operation of the Municipality.
Promote and encourage the training and development of skills and professional growth.
Create and promote a work culture that embraces health and safety, productivity, succession planning and customer-oriented attitudes.
Meet regularly with all levels of staff to ensure current understanding and knowledge relevant to operational issues, staffing concerns and any concerns received from stakeholders and County residents.

Council Relations and Support

Maintain a positive and productive relationship with Council based on trust, commitment, and open communications.
Champion and bridge positive relations between Council and Staff via communications, engagement and collaboration.
Unless excused, attend Council and Committee meetings to contribute and assist in deliberations.
Be prepared for Council by providing all the information required to enable well-informed decisions.
Regularly update Council on progress, recommended changes and new matters that relate to the strategic plan and work programs.
Prepare and submit reports and recommendations as required by Council and Council committees.
Develop and recommend, for Council approval, bylaws and policies dealing with non-administrative matters as directed by Council, or at the initiation of Administration.
Advise and inform the Council of issues and developments and opportunities of an operational, legislative, economic development or political nature that relate to the interests of the County.
Work with Council to address matters of importance to the County.
Develop objectives that align with the vision and direction of Council.
Support Council in determining policy by providing information such as other levels of government objectives, social and economic trends, advice of staff, positions advocated by community groups and local businesses.

Administration and Organization

Develop, approve, and implement policies, procedures, and practices dealing strictly with administrative matters.
Ensure the appropriate implementation of all programs and policies of the Municipality.
Negotiate contracts, agreements, and transactions required for the effective operation of the Municipality and recommend the approval of such by Council.
Hire or retain legal counsel on behalf of the Municipality as may be required.
Attend meetings of such boards, committees, commissions, or other bodies as may be required.
Maintain knowledge of the key responsibilities within the organization.
Ensure operations and budgets align with the County’s / Council’s approved strategic goals, and business plans and goals.
Measure and monitor levels of service against strategic and business goals.
Terminating contracts on behalf of the Municipality or as directed by Council.
Review and recommend progressive and responsive policies, procedures, systems, and investments that may positively enhance County activities, programs, and services.
Sign any order, agreement, cheque, negotiation instrument, or document made or executed on behalf of the Municipality.
Assume full accountability under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIPP) Act.
Listen to the concerns of Council via the CAO’ s annual performance review and seek to improve any deficiencies on an ongoing basis.
Provide leadership, oversight, and support to direct reports and Council.
Ensure that the organization structure for the County reflects operational needs and achieves objectives and vision established by Council.
Liaison between industry, developers, regional municipalities, Committees, Commissions and Council.
Ensures personal professional development relevant to CAO competencies.
Work and guide the leadership team to ensure that County operations aligned with Council’s direction.
In the name of efficiency and improvement, explore and make recommendations on the creation or elimination of processes, systems, infrastructure, operations or positions.
Perform other duties as may be requested by Council or required by bylaw, order, statute, or regulation.

Legislative Responsibilities

Maintain a current understanding of applicable municipal legislation and leadership, as well as relevant provincial and federal government programs, policies, and initiatives.
Ensure all powers, duties and functions prescribed under the Municipal Government Act are fulfilled.
Ensure municipal compliance with legislation as set out in the Statutes of Alberta.
Ensure that all municipal staff comply with legislation as set out in the Statutes of Alberta.

Community Engagement

Develop productive and collaborative working relationships with community partners of the County.
Solicit input from County residents on development of policy, initiatives, programs, or investments.
Explore and encourage community organizations to provide different services throughout the County.
Establish positive working relationships with officials with neighboring municipalities, industry, surrounding First Nations, and provincial and federal levels of government.

Budgeting and Finance

Oversee the development and administration of the County’s operating and capital budgets.
Champion long-term operational and budget planning guided by Council’s strategic vision.
Ensure compliance with the MGA in terms of budget submissions and reporting.
Direct as well as approve expenditures in accordance with County policy.
Ensure appropriate reserve fund management to address and plan for future Capital requirements.
Oversee, review, advise, and update Council on County assets, debentures, and investments.
In an emergency, authorize any expenditure not previously approved by Council and report to Council.
Coordinate long-term land-use, economic development, financial, and capital planning.
Investigate and pursue grant funding through various avenues and partnerships for the benefit of the County.
Oversee the management of tax assessment, collection and appeals.

Economic Development and Tourism

Be a champion for investment and recreation within the County.
Oversee economic development and tourism planning, pursuits, promotions, initiatives, and programs.
Work with your team, advise on programs and policies to Council which may stimulate employment and business opportunities within the region.
Participate in regional economic development committees and explore potential for productive partnerships.
Apprise Council and County employees of significant trends, opportunities, and threats.

Qualifications

Post-secondary education (degree, diploma, or certificate) is an asset.
10+ years in a leadership role within a mid-size or larger public or private organization.
At least 5 years in an executive level position within an organization.
Prior municipal leadership experience or exposure or an equivalent combination from another sector(s).
Completion of or enrollment in a local government management or public administrative program such as CLGM, NACLAA, LGA would be an asset.
Exposure or experience with municipal financial budget planning software e.g., Excel, Diamond, Questica or equivalent is an asset.
A provincial emergency management certification (DEM) would be an asset.
Experience and or knowledge of the Alberta Municipal Government Act (MGA) would be an asset.
Experience working with a municipal Council or Governance Board is preferred.
Demonstrated management experience with financial and budgeting processes, strategic planning, government and people relations, negotiations, communications, conflict resolution, and capital works and infrastructure.
Experience in strategic, capital and operational planning.
Functional computer literacy and Microsoft Office skills.
Proven and mature interpersonal and communication skills.

Well organized | Fiscally astute | Efficient | Innovative | Communicative

Thorough | Open-minded | Politically astute | Business minded | Customer centric

Safety conscience | Respectful | Intuitive | Collaborative

Equal Opportunity

Woodlands County is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals.

Compensation & Benefits

A competitive compensation package commensurate with skills and experience along with a comprehensive Senior Management benefits package. The Successful candidate would be eligible to participate in the Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP). Further details will be discussed in a personal interview.

Confidentiality

In compliance and consistent with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (“PIPEDA”), HumanEdge shall respect the privacy and confidentiality of all personal information provided directly or indirectly verbally, electronically or in print throughout the process of candidate engagement in our search assignments.

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter and resume in confidence to:

Ken Glover, BSc., RPR
Managing Partner, HumanEdge Global
Phone: 780-902-1174
Email: ken.glover@humanedgeglobal.com
www.humanedgeglobal.com

Opportunities