Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

Position Details:

Employer: Town of Valleyview

Location: Valleyview, AB

Industry: Municipal Government

Position Outline:

Established in 1957, the Town of Valleyview (www.valleyview.ca), also known as the Portal to the Peace, is strategically located at an important crossroads that lead to Canada’s north.  It is situated 350km north of the City of Edmonton, 115km east of the City of Grande Prairie, and 140km south of Peace River.

Excellent paved highways allow for travel to northern destinations.  Highway 49 leads to the Northwest Territories by way of Peace River and the Mackenzie Highway, and Highway 43 leads to Dawson Creek, the Alaska Highway and adventure in northeastern British Columbia, the Yukon and Alaska.

The Town has a population of almost 2,000 residents, and serves a trading area of nearly 8,000….which includes the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation just west of town.  A combination of a balanced economy, excellent investment opportunities, friendly neighbours, and big city amenities in a small-town setting, make for remarkably high-quality living.

Please visit our website to learn more about our welcoming community.

Reporting to the Mayor and six (6) elected Councillors, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) is responsible for the overall administration of municipal operations, and the day-to-day tasks of the Town.  The CAO is the senior policy advisor to Council, and is accountable for ensuring that Council is aware of their legislative responsibilities and authorities, as well as all other relevant information necessary to make informed decisions on all municipal matters. 

The CAO is responsible for directing, controlling, and coordinating the activities of the Town departments through four (4) direct reports including the Director of Public Works, Director of Administration, Director of Community Services, and the Director of Utilities & Asset Management.  There are a total of 37 permanent employees (not including seasonal/summer staff), and the Town has an operating budget of just over $6M, and a capital budget of over $350K.

The essential duties and responsibilities that the CAO oversees include:

• Council Relations
  • Act as the main advisor to elected officials, and provide well-researched and legal options for Council to consider in order to strengthen the political decision-making process.
  • Provide proactive and regular advice/reports to the Council regarding on-going municipal operations.
  • Perform all duties, and exercise all powers and functions, outlined in applicable legislation, resolutions, policies, and bylaws set by the Council.
• Leadership
  • Lead, direct, coordinate, mentor, and coach the senior management team to achieve a high quality of performance in all municipal functions, and to ensure municipal sustainability as it relates to service delivery.
  • Maintain a culture of continuous improvement, organizational learning, and passion for public service where staff are engaged and motivated.
  • Work collaboratively with department managers and consultants to advance the community vision, mission, and organizational development goals.
• Financial
  • Prepare the annual operating and capital budget, and provide regular financial reporting to the Council on municipal performance.
  • Promote and negotiate the most efficient and cost-effective procurement of required goods and services for the Town.
• Strategic/Legislative
  • Ensure municipal compliance with legislation, and conduct due diligence regarding policies, procedures, and operations.  Make sure that approved policies and programs are implemented.
• Administration
  • Manage capital projects, prepare tender documents, oversee planning and development activities, and administer consulting contracts.
• Public/Stakeholder Relations
  • Liaise with neighbouring municipalities to promote regional cooperation and collaboration.
  • Develop productive relationships with other orders of government and negotiate effectively with intergovernmental partners and stakeholders.
  • Attend meetings of Council, Special Task Forces, Committees, Boards, and Commissions appointed by Council, or delegate an attendee to represent the CAO by providing advice, guidance, and consultation, as required.
  • Stay informed and engaged regarding governmental and community affairs, and communicate trends and best practices affecting the organization.
• Customer Service
  • Develop a positive and proactive customer service philosophy throughout the organization, and ensure that it is practiced.
  • Monitor the prompt handling of all requests, inquiries, and complaints and ensure that they are handled according to approved procedures.
• Human Resource Management
  • Hire, train, evaluate, develop, engage, motivate, and discipline subordinate staff within approved personnel policies and legislation.
  • Establish, promote, and maintain comprehensive personnel policies and programs covering the selection, compensation, development, retention, appraisal, and placement of municipal employees.
  • Review the Town's organizational and departmental structure regularly and recommend changes to improve operating effectiveness and efficiency.
  • Conduct performance reviews for direct reports and ensure that performance appraisals are conducted for all staff on an annual basis.
• Health & Safety
  • Perform all duties and responsibilities in accordance with the Health & Safety Manual approved by the Municipality, along with OH&S regulations.
• Additional Responsibilities
  • Act as the Town’s ambassador in all dealings with the public and key stakeholders.
  • Act as Director of Emergency Services (DEM), the Development Officer, as well as the authorized Permit Issuing Authority for the municipality.
  • Maintain confidentiality, sound discretion and integrity on municipal issues.
• Other
  • Flexibility to attend evening and weekend meetings, and the willingness to travel out of town from time-to-time as required.
  • Perform any other duties and responsibilities as may be required by Council or the Municipal Government Act.

The CAO will possess the following to be successful:

• Demonstrate strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with exceptional presentation and public speaking abilities.
• Build solid professional relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, as well as municipal neighbours, the Province, and the general public.
• Polished conflict management capabilities, along with the flexibility and empathy to work with people and professionals from different backgrounds and professional disciplines.
• Display sound political sensitivity and judgment to support elected officials and senior management.
• Exercise compassion, patience, self-motivation, trust, integrity, and humour.
• Maintain strong organizational skills, and manage various concurrent projects effectively, and in the best interest of the overall community.

The successful candidate will possess the following, or an acceptable combination focused on administrative leadership:

• Post-secondary degree in public administration or a related field.
• Certified Local Government Manager (CLGM), or a related professional designation.
• Previous CAO or senior leadership experience, specifically in a local government setting.
• A thorough understanding of municipal finances and the budgeting process.
• Knowledge and understanding of municipal infrastructure, engineering, and land development would be an asset.
• Experience in a multi-dimensional service organization with the proven ability to provide leadership, adapt, and integrate complex planning and policy initiatives.
• A positive record of working effectively with elected officials, volunteer boards and committees, public participation process, policy development, and service delivery.
• Proven experience in strategic planning, organizational development, and in achieving results in building solid and committed teams.
• Comfortable project managing and overseeing capital works and infrastructure improvement programs.
• A thorough understanding of the legislative process and knowledge of the Alberta Municipal Government Act (MGA), or a willingness to learn.
• Previous experience applying for, and managing municipal grants.
• Prior exposure to Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Asset Management Systems, Information Technology, and Information Management, and life-cycle planning.

A competitive compensation package will be provided to the successful candidate.  This includes an attractive and competitive base salary, a comprehensive municipal benefits package, LAPP (Local Authorities Pension Plan), as well as the APEX Supplemental Pension Plan.  Details will be discussed in further conversations.

James Davies                             

Managing Director

DCG Executive Search Services Ltd.

Phone: (780) 758-9796

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: www.daviescg.com