www.westlockcounty.com

OPPORTUNITY PROFILE │ Chief Administrative Officer

WESTLOCK COUNTY Westlock County is located in North Central Alberta with a foot print of 3,171 km² with 2,100 km of roads, we are the home to some of the most productive agricultural lands in Alberta including grains, cereals, hay and livestock. The region’s industry mix is comprised of rolled pipe manufacturing, water distiller manufacturing, electronic power generating, feed mills, grain elevators, agricultural equipment sales, livestock auction facilities, trucking companies and oilfield services. Emergency Services protects and serves our farmers, acreage owners, 9 Hamlets, Village and a handful of bedroom communities. The County offers its 7,220 citizens a quiet county lifestyle with the convenience of urban amenities within an hour’s drive. The landscape offers outdoor recreational activities campgrounds, parks, ski hill, golf courses and first-class highways for travel. For more information, please visit Westlock County’s website

THE OPPORTUNITY Reporting to the Westlock County Council, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) plays an integral role in the strategic leadership and management of the overall administration of the county’s operations in accordance with the objectives, policies, and plans approved by Council. The CAO is responsible for ensuring that policies and programs of the County are implemented and advises and informs Council on the operation and affairs of the County. The CAO performs all the duties and exercises the powers and functions as legislated by Provincial statutes, local Bylaw and the Municipal Government Act (MGA) as well as other enactments, or as assigned by County Council.

KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES • Provides leadership, oversight, and support to the leadership team as well as Council to ensure an effective and efficient organizational and administrative structure is employed. • Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures. Identifies opportunities for improvement and directs the implementation of changes. • Represents the County meeting citizens, business entities, elected officials and outside agencies to discuss County policies, procedures, remedy problems, and resolve inquires and complaints from both internal and external sources. Negotiates and resolves sensitive, significant, and controversial issues. • Works with County Council to ensure all Council processes meet MGA requirements. This includes the Request for Decision (RFD) process, approved policies and bylaws as well as the budgetary and planning cycles. • Manages the development and administration of the County budget including both annual and long term Operating and Capital Budgets Directs as well as approves expenditures in accordance with County policy. Ensures that an appropriate Reserve policy and fund is in place to sustain future Capital requirements. • Manages the development and implementation of the County Business Plan and departmental goals ensuring alignment with the County Strategic Plan. • Negotiates and manages the Collective Bargaining on behalf of the County to ensure the intent of the negotiated agreement is implemented fairly and without prejudice. • To provide Council with all the information they require to make good well-informed decisions. The CAO must be professional and remain neutral on issues so that he or she can provide unbiased support to Council.

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• Develops and strengthens relationships with all levels of government, local municipal governments, communities, municipal association officials, and elected officials. • Provide strategic direction to County staff and further develop a culture of customer service; team building; partnership; innovation; fiscal responsibility; and empowerment and employee recognition. Other Duties • Ensure that Westlock County's Health and Safety Program as well as Occupational Health and Safety's standards, regulations and practices are followed by promoting a safe work environment and leading by example. • This position also functions as the Deputy Director of Emergency Management. OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES • Support the County through the COVID crisis to ensure service impact is minimized while maintaining appropriate health and safety standards. • Maintains and strengthens relationships with the Town of Westlock, other neighboring municipalities and key industry partners. THE PERSON

QUALIFICATIONS & EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS The ideal candidate will have a post-secondary education, or extensive management experience in the public or private sector. Participation in, or completion of the Certified Local Government Management Program would be a strong asset. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated track record of success in a senior leadership role and have an appreciation of the municipal sector and the Municipal Government Act. Also, experience with economic development would be preferred. In addition, they will have a positive record of working effectively with elected officials, community volunteers, boards and committees, and public consultation processes. They will be a proven leader in building strong and progressive work cultures and collaborating and supporting high functioning teams.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES The CAO will have a progressive leadership record demonstrating positive relationships with key stakeholders, elected officials, staff and the community. They will feel equally comfortable as a senior manager or as a “hands-on” team participant. Among other attributes, the following will be important: Strategic & Business Planning—Provides executive leadership to all corporate initiatives and ensures accountability for achievement of results throughout the County of Westlock. Employs a “can do” attitude. Communication—An open, honest and straightforward style with all audiences; demonstrates candor and respect to all and is prepared to delegate responsibility and accountability. Integrity & Trust—Possesses impeccable integrity and ethics. Respectful of others and respected by peers. Honest, sincere, dependable, authentic, and trustworthy. Committed to the County’s values, vision, and mission and acts as a role model. Displays stamina and energy. Committed to personal growth and development for self and others. Interpersonal Skills—Able to effectively build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. Patient and resilient— embraces challenges while accepting the reality of obstacles. Is flexible and adaptable; works comfortably with individuals, teams, and larger committees. Has a positive outlook and a sense of humour. Is diplomatic and emotionally mature; possesses well-developed negotiation skills—able to resolve conflict and facilitate negotiations with tact and diplomacy. Leadership Skills—Demonstrates a visionary leadership style while giving guidance and support. A mentor and positive role model combined with a practical and common-sense approach. Builds proactive teams, incorporating the views

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of others and empowering staff. Appreciative, engaging, understanding and knowledgeable of rural as well as urban issues and concerns. Identifies opportunities, inspires action and achieves results. Management Skills—Demonstrates a progressive management style, engaging staff to bring forth new ideas and new approaches to solve challenges more effectively and create a better integrated work team. Has a proven record of being able to motivate, plan, direct, and evaluate people and activities in a broad-based public-sector organization; leads by example; has solid human resource management skills. Encourages staff to reach their potential, personal growth and development for self and others. Change Management – Energetic and able to lead in a changing environment; experienced in evaluating organizational structure and effectively implementing required changes to elevate the skill level and improve the efficiency of an organization; can alter course/direction when necessary while maintaining a clear and consistent vision; enjoys and embraces new challenges. Customer Service – Helps define a service delivery processes and implements changes to improve on the quality of results. Recognizes the value of operational planning and technology integration in providing customer service. Ensures customer needs are identified and addressed; ensures appropriate consultation with all stakeholders is timely, cost effective and of quality service; respects and understands the public/citizens. Financial Management — Proven ability to work in a complex fiscal environment of growth and lead with a strong sense of service. Timely, efficient, and transparent in all budgeting, financing and information reporting. Volunteer Service—Presents a strong commitment to comprehensive community services, a demonstrated belief in voluntarism and a willingness to become an integral part the community. A Professional—Acts as an integral part of a leadership team and displays a “first amongst equals” style with high ethical standards and an honest, open-minded and consistent approach to working with staff and citizens. Self-Confidence—Possesses confidence in own skills and abilities; able to make difficult decisions and stand by them while demonstrating a positive attitude. Planning & Organizing—Can marshal resources to get things done; uses resources effectively and efficiently; sets clear expectations; designs practical processes and procedures; ensures accountability through the implementation of a workable performance management system.

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Politically Astute—Knows and understands legislative and regulatory processes and has an intuitive ability to read the political implications of recommendations and actions; prepared to guide and mentor council with solid and informed recommendations. Ability to remain neutral and objective with Council and consider issues on their own merit as well as offer opinions, as requested. Has the ability to deal effectively with people from other government levels, regional growth partners as well as outside parties such as media. COMPENSATION A competitive compensation package will be provided including an attractive base salary and excellent benefits. Further details will be discussed in a personal interview. FOR INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Ardyce Kouri or Cecilia Oteiza Ayres Leaders International Executive Search Suite 501 Fox One 10226 – 104 Street Edmonton, AB T5J 1B8 Phone: 780-420-9900 Email: [email protected]

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