Suzanne Merrills
Spruce Grove
Summary
Knowledgeable community recreation professional with proven history of leading high-performing teams and executing strategic initiatives that drive organizational growth. Successfully led cross-functional initiatives that improved community amenities and fulfilled community requirements. Demonstrated leadership and communication skills in fostering collaborative environments and delivering impactful results.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Child and Youth Practicum, Jamie Platz
Edmonton YMCA
01.2003
Child and Youth Practicum, Jamie Platz
Edmonton YMCA
01.2003
Camp Counselor
Boys and Girls Club of South Coast BC, Camp Potlatch
01.2001
Camp Counselor
Boys and Girls Club of South Coast BC, Camp Potlatch
01.2001
Camp Counselor
Boys and Girls Club of South Coast BC, Camp Potlatch
01.2000
Director, Community Services
Parkland County
05.2022 - 02.2025
- Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the delivery of social and community service programs including but not limited to Family and Community Support Services, Social and Community Development and Emergency Social Services.
- Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the delivery of Parks and Recreation programs including bit not limited to Parks Operations, Park Planning, Development and Construction.
- Manage the operations and activities of Parks, Recreation and Culture facilities and amenities, including swimming pool and banquet facility.
- Establish administrative procedures to meet objectives set by Council and senior management.
- Advise and support Not for Profit groups delivering services and programs to residents.
- Plan, administer and control budgets for programs, equipment and services.
- Represent the municipality as a liaison with Not For Profit groups, Social Service delivery partners and Municipal partners.
- Participate in policy development by preparing reports and briefs for Council presentation, management committees and working groups.
- Hire, provide training and mentor department staff.
Director, Community Services
Parkland County
05.2022 - 02.2025
- Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the delivery of social and community service programs including but not limited to Family and Community Support Services, Social and Community Development and Emergency Social Services.
- Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the delivery of Parks and Recreation programs including bit not limited to Parks Operations, Park Planning, Development and Construction.
- Manage the operations and activities of Parks, Recreation and Culture facilities and amenities, including swimming pool and banquet facility.
- Establish administrative procedures to meet objectives set by Council and senior management.
- Advise and support Not for Profit groups delivering services and programs to residents.
- Plan, administer and control budgets for programs, equipment and services.
- Represent the municipality as a liaison with Not For Profit groups, Social Service delivery partners and Municipal partners.
- Participate in policy development by preparing reports and briefs for Council presentation, management committees and working groups.
- Hire, provide training and mentor department staff.
Camp Counselor
Boys and Girls Club of South Coast BC, Camp Potlatch
01.2000
Supervisor, Recreation & Culture
Parkland County
09.2020 - 05.2022
- Provide expert advice and consulting services to community Leagues, Not For Profit Social, Recreation and Culture groups in board development and the design, development and administration of programs and activities.
- Conduct research and develop policies related to recreation, parks and culture.
- Develop, plan and coordinate special events.
- Operate recreation and culture facilities including Swimming pool and banquet facility.
- Manage program budget.
- Hire, train and mentor service area staff.
Supervisor, Recreation & Culture
Parkland County
09.2020 - 05.2022
- Provide expert advice and consulting services to community Leagues, Not For Profit Social, Recreation and Culture groups in board development and the design, development and administration of programs and activities.
- Conduct research and develop policies related to recreation, parks and culture.
- Develop, plan and coordinate special events.
- Operate recreation and culture facilities including Swimming pool and banquet facility.
- Manage program budget.
- Hire, train and mentor service area staff.
Community Development Coordinator
Parkland County
03.2011 - 09.2020
- Develop policies and administer programs to promote social and recreation programs in rural areas.
- Design community research questionnaires.
- Conduct social surveys on local areas to assess development potential and future trends.
- Plan social and recreation projects and coordinate activities with representatives of the community, not for profit groups and government agencies.
- Respond to enquiries from members of the general public concerning issues and opportunities.
- Review and evaluate development proposals and provide advice on impacts to community.
- Conduct research to identify trends to optimize strategies for social and recreation opportunities within the community.
- Support and develop community marketing campaigns to promote social, recreation and culture opportunities within the municipality.
- Prepare reports, presentations and trainings.
- Manage the Entwistle Outdoor Pool.
- Management of the Municipal Art Program and maintaining the art collection.
- Provide consultation on planning and starting, board development of new or existing Not for Profits.
Community Development Coordinator
Parkland County
03.2011 - 09.2020
- Develop policies and administer programs to promote social and recreation programs in rural areas.
- Design community research questionnaires.
- Conduct social surveys on local areas to assess development potential and future trends.
- Plan social and recreation projects and coordinate activities with representatives of the community, not for profit groups and government agencies.
- Respond to enquiries from members of the general public concerning issues and opportunities.
- Review and evaluate development proposals and provide advice on impacts to community.
- Conduct research to identify trends to optimize strategies for social and recreation opportunities within the community.
- Support and develop community marketing campaigns to promote social, recreation and culture opportunities within the municipality.
- Prepare reports, presentations and trainings.
- Manage the Entwistle Outdoor Pool.
- Management of the Municipal Art Program and maintaining the art collection.
- Provide consultation on planning and starting, board development of new or existing Not for Profits.
Owner, Instructor
Peaks First Aid & Aquatic Services
01.2007 - 01.2020
Owner, Instructor
Peaks First Aid & Aquatic Services
01.2007 - 01.2020
Preschool, Child & Youth Coordinator
TransAlta Trileisure Center
01.2010 - 01.2011
Preschool, Child & Youth Coordinator
TransAlta Trileisure Center
01.2010 - 01.2011
Pool Manager
Parkland County
02.2010 - 09.2010
- Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the operations of the Outdoor Pool.
- Establish and implement policies and procedures for staff.
- Plan and control budget and inventory.
- Respond to inquiries or complaints and resolve problems.
- Manage advertising and marketing strategies and create the content.
- Develop the seasonal program.
- Hire, train and supervise staff.
Pool Manager
Parkland County
02.2010 - 09.2010
- Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the operations of the Outdoor Pool.
- Establish and implement policies and procedures for staff.
- Plan and control budget and inventory.
- Respond to inquiries or complaints and resolve problems.
- Manage advertising and marketing strategies and create the content.
- Develop the seasonal program.
- Hire, train and supervise staff.
Aquatic Instructor/Lifeguard
Town of Stettler
06.2007 - 09.2007
Aquatic Instructor/Lifeguard
Town of Stettler
06.2007 - 09.2007
Aquatic Instructor/Lifeguard
Town of Castor
06.2007 - 09.2007
Aquatic Instructor/Lifeguard
Town of Castor
06.2007 - 09.2007
Aquatic Instructor/Lifeguard
Town of Didsbury
01.2006 - 01.2007
Aquatic Instructor/Lifeguard
Town of Didsbury
01.2006 - 01.2007
Preschool and Daycamp Programmer
Cardel Place, Nose Creek Sports and Recreation Association
01.2006 - 01.2007
Preschool and Daycamp Programmer
Cardel Place, Nose Creek Sports and Recreation Association
01.2006 - 01.2007
Community Program Coordinator
Town of Valleyview
01.2005 - 01.2006
Community Program Coordinator
Town of Valleyview
01.2005 - 01.2006
Aquatic Supervisor, Jamie Platz
Edmonton YMCA
01.2004 - 01.2005
Aquatic Supervisor, Jamie Platz
Edmonton YMCA
01.2004 - 01.2005
Aquatic Specialty Coordinator, Jamie Platz
Edmonton YMCA
01.2003 - 01.2004
Aquatic Specialty Coordinator, Jamie Platz
Edmonton YMCA
01.2003 - 01.2004
Aquatic Coordinator, Jamie Platz
Edmonton YMCA
01.2002 - 01.2003
Aquatic Coordinator, Jamie Platz
Edmonton YMCA
01.2002 - 01.2003
Outdoor programmer
YoWoChAs Outdoor Education Centre, YWCA of Edmonton
01.2002 - 01.2003
Outdoor programmer
YoWoChAs Outdoor Education Centre, YWCA of Edmonton
01.2002 - 01.2003
Aquatic Instructor/Lifeguard
Edmonton YMCA
01.1999 - 01.2002
Aquatic Instructor/Lifeguard
Edmonton YMCA
01.1999 - 01.2002
Education
BA Recreation And Leisure Studies - Focus on Outdoor Leadership
University of Alberta
Edmonton, AlbertaEmergency Management Exercise Desing Associate Certificate -
Justice Institute of British Columbia
Skills
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Customer Service
- Conflict resolution
- Behavior management
- Group dynamics
- Quick learner
- Problem-solving
- Multitasking and organization
- Creativity and innovation
- Flexible schedule
- Public speaking
- English and French fluency
- Project management
- Proficient in computers: Microsoft 365, iOs, Google Suite
- Registration systems: Active Net, Universus
- Point of sale systems
- Emergency Social Services
- Reception centre management
- Incident management
Accomplishments
- Collaborated with other departments in the design and construction of the Entwistle Recreation Centre, 3 Boat Launches and the Wabamun Waterfront redevelopment projects.
- Implementation of the Social Development Plan short term and long term recommendations.
- Successfully received grant funding for the development of an ESS Community Recovery Plan.
Languages
French
Native or Bilingual
English
Native or Bilingual
Certification
- Class 5 Drivers License
- ICS 100, 200, 300
- Reception Centre Manager
- Intermediate First Aid with CPR C
- LS Instructor Trainer
- National Lifeguard
- Swim Instructor Certification
- Pool Opp Level 1
Timeline
Director, Community Services
Parkland County
05.2022 - 02.2025
Director, Community Services
Parkland County
05.2022 - 02.2025
Supervisor, Recreation & Culture
Parkland County
09.2020 - 05.2022
Supervisor, Recreation & Culture
Parkland County
09.2020 - 05.2022
Community Development Coordinator
Parkland County
03.2011 - 09.2020
Community Development Coordinator
Parkland County
03.2011 - 09.2020
Pool Manager
Parkland County
02.2010 - 09.2010
Pool Manager
Parkland County
02.2010 - 09.2010
Preschool, Child & Youth Coordinator
TransAlta Trileisure Center
01.2010 - 01.2011
Preschool, Child & Youth Coordinator
TransAlta Trileisure Center
01.2010 - 01.2011
Aquatic Instructor/Lifeguard
Town of Stettler
06.2007 - 09.2007
Aquatic Instructor/Lifeguard
Town of Stettler
06.2007 - 09.2007
Aquatic Instructor/Lifeguard
Town of Castor
06.2007 - 09.2007
Aquatic Instructor/Lifeguard
Town of Castor
06.2007 - 09.2007
Owner, Instructor
Peaks First Aid & Aquatic Services
01.2007 - 01.2020
Owner, Instructor
Peaks First Aid & Aquatic Services
01.2007 - 01.2020
Aquatic Instructor/Lifeguard
Town of Didsbury
01.2006 - 01.2007
Aquatic Instructor/Lifeguard
Town of Didsbury
01.2006 - 01.2007
Preschool and Daycamp Programmer
Cardel Place, Nose Creek Sports and Recreation Association
01.2006 - 01.2007
Preschool and Daycamp Programmer
Cardel Place, Nose Creek Sports and Recreation Association
01.2006 - 01.2007
Community Program Coordinator
Town of Valleyview
01.2005 - 01.2006
Community Program Coordinator
Town of Valleyview
01.2005 - 01.2006
Aquatic Supervisor, Jamie Platz
Edmonton YMCA
01.2004 - 01.2005
Aquatic Supervisor, Jamie Platz
Edmonton YMCA
01.2004 - 01.2005
Child and Youth Practicum, Jamie Platz
Edmonton YMCA
01.2003
Child and Youth Practicum, Jamie Platz
Edmonton YMCA
01.2003
Aquatic Specialty Coordinator, Jamie Platz
Edmonton YMCA
01.2003 - 01.2004
Aquatic Specialty Coordinator, Jamie Platz
Edmonton YMCA
01.2003 - 01.2004
Aquatic Coordinator, Jamie Platz
Edmonton YMCA
01.2002 - 01.2003
Aquatic Coordinator, Jamie Platz
Edmonton YMCA
01.2002 - 01.2003
Outdoor programmer
YoWoChAs Outdoor Education Centre, YWCA of Edmonton
01.2002 - 01.2003
Outdoor programmer
YoWoChAs Outdoor Education Centre, YWCA of Edmonton
01.2002 - 01.2003
Camp Counselor
Boys and Girls Club of South Coast BC, Camp Potlatch
01.2001
Camp Counselor
Boys and Girls Club of South Coast BC, Camp Potlatch
01.2001
Camp Counselor
Boys and Girls Club of South Coast BC, Camp Potlatch
01.2000
Camp Counselor
Boys and Girls Club of South Coast BC, Camp Potlatch
01.2000
Aquatic Instructor/Lifeguard
Edmonton YMCA
01.1999 - 01.2002
Aquatic Instructor/Lifeguard
Edmonton YMCA
01.1999 - 01.2002
BA Recreation And Leisure Studies - Focus on Outdoor Leadership
University of Alberta
Emergency Management Exercise Desing Associate Certificate -
Justice Institute of British Columbia
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