PUBLIC WORKS SUPERVISOR
Location: Northern Ontario- Relocation Available
Pinnacle Executive Search is exclusively recruiting a Public Works Supervisor on behalf of our client a northern Ontario municipality.
Our client is looking for a hands-on leader ready to take ownership of a department and make it their own. This is a rare opportunity to step into a well-supported, autonomous role reporting directly to the Director of Public Works and Fleet, with a team of 10+ ready to be led. If you thrive in a small-town environment, love the outdoors, and want a role where every day brings something different, this is it.
This community offers true northern Ontario living - think fishing, hunting, and lake life right outside your door - paired with a stable, well-compensated municipal career. Our client is open to relocation and will assist with relocation costs, so if you are ready for a change of pace without sacrificing career growth, this is worth a serious look.
With the previous supervisor promoted from within and now transitioning to private industry, our client wants to get this hire right - someone who brings real supervisory depth along with working knowledge of the Municipal Act, minimum maintenance standards, and Ontario Traffic Council Book 5 and Book 7 requirements.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
- Lead, mentor, and supervise the Public Works Department, including Transfer Station operations, providing clear direction, coaching, and day-to-day performance support
- Plan, coordinate, and supervise winter control operations, including on-call response, equipment readiness, and route planning, and maintain due diligence documentation (patrols, condition monitoring, material application records)
- Lead spring cleanup activities: sweeping, debris removal, drainage and ditching work, culvert inspections, and remediation of winter-related damage
- Supervise summer road construction and rehabilitation programs, including gravel road maintenance, grading, dust control, asphalt patching, and traffic control coordination
- Build and manage daily and weekly schedules, and lead daily pre-start and toolbox talks with the crew
- Oversee maintenance of roads, sidewalks, signage, streetlighting, line painting, water and sewer systems, including water meters and meter readings
- Conduct site visits to inspect and investigate public complaints, and prioritize response
- Manage inventory and coordinate fleet maintenance, largely through third-party providers with administrative support
- Conduct regular safety meetings and ensure PPE use, training, and safe work practices comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and municipal policy
- Coordinate and monitor contractors and external service providers, verifying quality and completion of work
- Respond to emergencies and incidents, coordinating with relevant authorities as needed
- Communicate proactively with residents, community groups, and local businesses on project timelines and service impacts
- Assist in reviewing and updating Standard Operating Procedures to ensure consistency and compliance
MUST HAVES
- Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in public works supervision, or equivalent (construction supervision with heavy equipment knowledge also considered)
- Demonstrated experience directly supervising a crew - this is the piece that has tripped up past candidates, so it matters
- Working knowledge of the Municipal Act and minimum maintenance standards, along with OTC Book 5 and Book 7 (or willingness to obtain)
- Valid Ontario Driver's License in good standing
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to build a positive, accountable team culture and manage a range of personalities, including senior crew members
- Adaptable and decisive - comfortable making calls on the fly and adjusting to fast-changing conditions
- Well organized, with solid working knowledge of Microsoft Office and the ability to pick up in-house tracking systems
- Resilient, thick-skinned, and steady under pressure
- Willingness to participate in an on-call/standby rotation during winter control and peak periods
NICE TO HAVE
- Post-secondary education in Civil Engineering (CET or C.Tech), Public Administration, or a related field
- Previous equipment operator experience, useful for hands-on training of staff
- Water Quality Analyst certification
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
- Competitive salary
- Pension plan, matched dollar for dollar
- Vacation time
- Relocation assistance available for the right candidate
APPLY
To explore this opportunity in confidence, send resumes to Cathryn Militano, Senior Recruitment Consultant, at cmilitano@pinnacle.jobs.
ABOUT PINNACLE
Does your current job harness your full potential? As a leading recruitment firm in Manitoba, with 25 industry specialized recruiters, Pinnacle can help. Think of Pinnacle as a personal shopper for your career: First, we get to know you - your skills, experience, career goals, and desired work culture. Next, we pick the best career opportunities from an exclusive list, many of which you will never see advertised. Finally, once you (and our clients) have found a perfect fit, Pinnacle helps you with all of the details to ensure a smooth transition. Best of all, we offer this service at no cost to you. When you're prepared to take the next step in your career, Pinnacle will be ready.
