SENIOR PROJECT COORDINATOR PF&R & ED&C
- Job ID: 44701
- Job Category: Policy, Planning & Research
- Division & Section: Parks, Forestry & Recreation, PFR CPDD Capital Proj Design & Delivery
- Work Location: Metro Hall, 55 John Street
- Job Type & Duration: Full-time, Permanent (1), Temporary (1) 12 months
- Hourly Rate and Wage Grade: $53.98 - $59.17, TFS411, Wage Grade 17
- Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week
- Affiliation: L79 Full-time
- Number of Positions Open: 2
- Posting Period: 02-Oct-2024 to 16-Oct-2024
The Capital Projects Design & Delivery (CPDD) Branch in the Parks Forestry and Recreation Division is growing. Are you a highly motivated project management and landscape architecture professional looking to join an organizational culture that emphasizes innovation and collaboration?
CPDD is seeking two (2) highly motivated professional for the position of a Senior Project Coordinator – Play and Park Improvements. The Senior Project Coordinator will lead the design, delivery and review of a wide range of landscape projects across the City's Park system, with a focus on the City's Playground Enhancement Program.
Major Responsibilities:
Project Leadership
- Coordinates a team of client representatives, contractors, consultants and other intra and interdivisional stakeholders, to implement park design and construction projects including, new construction, major renovations, rehabilitation and alterations of existing parks, new parks, structures, bridges, seawalls, park roads, driveways and trails, transit and energy initiatives, with a strong emphasis on landscape architecture located throughout the Division.
- Provides leadership and expertise in administrative, professional practice and technical matters pertaining to landscape architecture and open space design.
- Represents the Division at site meetings and on various technical committees and/or design review panels as needed. Identifies best practices and opportunities for improvement in service delivery and interdivisional collaboration.
- Develops and/or reviews technical and design best practices and criteria to address resiliency in parks, stormwater management approach, ecological management and playground implementation across the City's park system.
- Ensures compliance with corporate building and maintenance standards such as, Leadership in Environmental Design (LEED), Green Development Guidelines, Shade Guidelines, and Accessibility Design Guidelines to protect and enhance Corporate and Division's interests.
- Ensures compliance with relevant Provincial and Federal standards such as the Canadian Standard Association for Playspaces, including Annex H.
- Maintains current knowledge of municipal and the Division's policies, research activities and strategies, and best practices in project management techniques and methodologies.
- Leads and coordinates project assistants and support staff to ensure project delivery.
- Verifies and prepares project scope including confirmation of program requirements with client and stakeholders (i.e. liaises with a team of client representatives, project partners, Advisory Boards, Elected Officials and other stakeholders providing relevant expertise, experience, information and analysis).
- Verifies and prepares initial background material for design purposes, including consideration of archeological and environmental requirements. preparation.
- Prepares reports for consideration by Standing Committees and City Council (i.e. and supports other PF&R Branches and City Divisions in the development of these reports).
- Develops, coordinates and maintains accurate project documentation, , including correspondence from landscape architects, engineers, building inspectors, contractors and sub-contractors.
- Communicates, negotiates and seeks to obtain resolutions with community stakeholders, contractors, consultants, developers, other City Divisions, and elected officials.
- Reviews and coordinates with internal engagement team, consultants and others, as needed, to develop engagement plans as part of project delivery; including but not limited to in-person and virtual engagement methods.
- Facilitates and leads project communication, project review and the distribution of project updates, in various formats, with all stakeholders.
- Facilitates project related meetings and liaises with client representatives, project partners, Advisory Boards, stakeholders and elected officials providing relevant expertise, experience, information and analysis.
- Prepares and distributes detailed and timely reports, records, schedules, monthly status reports, initiates correction of deficiencies, warranty items as required.
- Attends, leads and coordinates project related community consultation events.
- Prepares, evaluates and/or comments and makes recommendations on Request for Proposals, Request for Quotations, Pre-qualification calls, and Tenders for consultant and contractor selection for award to Purchasing and Material Management Division for Bid Committee, and/or Council approval.
- Responds to bidder enquiries, prepares addenda, and conducts bidder's site meetings.
- Liaises with the Legal Division on matters relating to the Construction Lien Act, construction bonds, insurance, real estate, contracts and legal agreements.
- Represents the Division in securing approvals from various authorities having jurisdiction, regulating and government bodies including federal, provincial and municipal governments, to enable assigned projects to proceed, i.e. site plan approvals, rezoning, permits, Committee of Adjustment.
- Acts as liaison and maintains a close and effective working relationship between contractors, consultants, suppliers, other partners (e.g. developers, Metrolinx, CreateTO, Waterfront Toronto, TRCA) and building inspectors with respect to all site construction and warranty periods.
- Assists in the resolution of delay claims and disputes that may arise through the execution of construction activities in the event of disputes and litigation.
- Inspects, monitors and supervises work in progress by consultants and contractors, ensuring all work is executed in accordance with relevant legislation and approved project drawings and specifications.
- Reviews, recommends and/or approves acceptance/changes to working drawings and specifications for assigned projects.
- Monitors all construction projects as they relate to Health and Safety regulations and maintains records on infractions and accidents in the event of litigation.
- Prepares and represents the Corporation and gives evidence at a Court of Discovery and/or Judicial Hearing.
- Prepares detailed project budget estimates and monitors expenses against approved budgets in order to remain on budget.
- Reviews, recommends and/or approves all payments, progress draws, and project related expenditures against budgets for assigned projects.
- Investigates and recommends action to be taken pertaining to certificates of payments, change orders and site instructions for assigned projects.
Design Leadership
- Undertakes preparation of master plans, parks, trails studies, design criteria and guidelines for parks, open spaces and amenities in consultation with internal stakeholders and community groups.
- Provides advice to and engages with the appropriate staff on land-use planning matters including policy initiatives, development applications, road closings and storm water management facilities.
- Undertakes preparation of facility fits, concepts and design development packages, costing and phasing plans, ecological plans and contract documentation packages (drawings and specifications) to be issued for tender and project implementation.
- Evaluates sites and analyzes data, such as, location and demographics, user profiles and patterns, soil and drainage, environmental conditions, adjacent land uses, vegetation, climatic and micro-climatic conditions.
- Reviews and comments on consultant design solutions in collaboration with PFR and other city divisions as needed to inform and direct a coordinated design process.
- Review designs and cost estimates prepared by others including consultants, to determine course of design and feasibility of construction for current and future parks projects, and planning budget initiatives of the division/branch.
- Consults with and presents to internal and external client groups plans, designs and related methods and materials.
- Communicates with manufacturers and suppliers, conducts research on issues such as new materials and construction techniques and procedures to ensure consultant and contractors proposals are suitable and satisfactory for the Division's requirements and aligns with best practices.
Key Qualifications:
Your application must describe your qualifications as they relate to:
- Degree/Diploma in Landscape Architecture or an approved equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Eligibility for membership in the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA).
- Extensive project coordination / leadership experience in the areas of park/landscape, including development, review and coordination of designs, design documents, on-site experience coordinating new construction and renovation of existing park assets, as well as experience and knowledge with construction contract administration.
- Extensive experience in construction means and methods, related materials and systems, legal agreements and other related activities associated with parks, landscape architectural and recreation facility design, construction and maintenance.
- Extensive experience reading and interpreting site plans, landscape, architectural, mechanical, electrical and structural drawings, specifications and reports submitted in support of park development by third parties.
- Extensive experience in the use of computer applications relevant to a landscape architectural environment including AutoCAD, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign.
- Must possess a valid Ontario Driver's License, Class "G", and have access to a vehicle for occasional site visits or meetings with consultants or bidders.
You must also have:
- Excellent verbal communication and presentation skills, with an ability to communicate effectively and professionally at all levels of the organization and with a broad range of stakeholders.
- Ability to present and explain complex technical information to a non-technical audience.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to establish effective working relationships and provide excellent customer service.
- Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and strong time management skills to prioritize and meet workload deadlines.
- Ability to be flexible, responsive, critical and able to demonstrate new ways to adapt to changing projects and planning.
- Creative problem solving skills to find innovative solutions to complex technical problems, have an aptitude for negotiation, and enjoys a transaction-based environment.
- An ability to provide senior management with appropriate timely updates and/or reports.
- High-proficiency in the use of MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Project, etc.) project management software and other web based computer applications.
Assets for the position:
- Working knowledge of current practices in parks, urban forestry, horticulture, ecological restoration and landscape construction, including sustainable environmental design, use of native plants, innovative materials, storm water management and sensitive integration of built facilities with landscapes.
- Public engagement experience including stakeholder consultations.
- Familiarity with government legislation in the area of occupational health and safety, including, but not limited to the design and development of parks, and recreation facilities, environmental improvements and ecological sustainable development.
- Ability to support the Toronto Public Service values to ensure a culture that champions equity, diversity and respectful workplaces.
- Knowledge of project management processes.
Hybrid Work Program
The City of Toronto's Workplace Modernization Program is re-imagining how we work in our workplace. Its vision is to provide flexibility to our employees around how we work and where we work. It will also support a better work-life balance, improved job satisfaction and employee engagement. Improving the work experience is at the core of this program and everyone plays a significant role in its realization. We have introduced the Hybrid Work Program which supports amore modern and flexible way of working. The hybrid approach will allow us to keep the best of remote work while integrating the important aspects of in-person collaboration and team-work.
NOTE TO INTERNAL FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME CITY OF TORONTO EMPLOYEES:
City of Toronto employees must apply to full-time or part-time employment opportunities posted on the City's Internal Job Posting Portal.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity.
Accommodation
The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request. Learn more about the City’s Hiring Policies and Accommodation Process.