developmental service worker

truck driver

garden nursery worker

cleaner

customer service representative

Town Of Cochrane

Review of Workplace Culture – Town of Cochrane (January 2025)
The workplace culture at the Town of Cochrane has presented ongoing challenges, particularly in the areas of safety and employee relations. Concerns regarding safety protocols and broader workplace issues have not been adequately addressed by Human Resources or senior management. Decision-making processes often lack the necessary subject matter expertise, leading to ineffective outcomes and a lack of accountability across departments.
One department in particular would benefit from leadership that demonstrates greater credibility, respect, and integrity. Supporting employees and fostering a respectful work environment should be a priority, rather than actions that undermine staff morale.
It is disappointing to witness these persistent issues, and it may be time for the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to take a more active role in ensuring that HR and management are held accountable and that a healthier, more professional workplace culture is cultivated.


Senior and mgmt team have conflicts of interest with vendors. Senior managers curse each other behind their backs. Many have been there more than a decade as they milk the system and some have a side hustle with the vendors. Presenting fraudulent stories to Council about costs isn't uncommon. Budgets designated for certain projects are manipulated by mgmt to cover overruns by others. Senior managers advise the management team not to trust the HR team and vice versa. Culture is so toxic that they now ironically seconded an internal HR person to try and fix it. If you're talented and question their outdated practices, they will run you out to save their own jobs. They did that to multiple managers in 2019 and again in 2020 after the CAO resigned suddenly.

A typical day as a municipal planner is responding to planning inquiries and processing Development Permit Applications. Planners are also involved in long range planning initiatives including the development of statutory plans. As a planner you must also engage with developers through several meetings and be a facilitator in conflict resolution.  The hardest part of my current work environment is being able to manage the multiple task one must complete within limited period of time. Development Permit and Subdivision application are time sensitive process and must be completed within a certain time periods. This can pose a challenge when one is required to process several applications at once.

Managers are promoted based on nepotism not based on skills, abilities or education. HR (old senior manager and current manager) are the worst offenders and protect themselves by promoting people who are less qualified for their job. When a rising star is identified they are either bullied out of the organization, or leave for better positions elsewhere. Recently unionized so hopefully things can change. 
The new CAO is a bully and people protect him out of fear, not respect.
Payroll is a disaster and you end up having to complain directly to your senior manager to get mistakes corrected, otherwise it is simply overlooked.

Early mornings are worth it here as a university student. The pay was good originally - until they signed a union and I ended up making less than I was the year prior; however, they do give you a raise each year you return as an incentive. 
It was a fun job making friends with my coworkers and making sure the town looked pleasant, it does give you pride to see how nice everything looks walking/driving around the town. 
It is a labor job so you're on your feet for the majority of the day, but it is also relaxed where you don't have to worry about customer service and it pays for university so you can take the fall and winter terms off if you can.

This position gives the operator a great deal of freedom.  On a daily basis you are required to make your own schedule and work according to your own plan.  Execution of plantings and other projects within the parks are at the discretion of the operator and are a huge part of what make this job attractive.
The management team makes sure each employee has whatever tools are needed (including safety supplies), and also provides ample training opportunities.

A typical day involves hands-on tasks with equipment. I learned practical skills and strict safety procedures. Management is professional, culture is supportive. The hardest part is long hours in challenging conditions. The most enjoyable part is operating machinery safely and contributing to projects." 

There are better run municipalities. Good staff are attracted and recruited but don't stay.  There are pockets of good areas but overall, managers are learning through trial and error.  If you are not patient and forgiving, this will be a tough assignment.

Overall, if you are geared for jobs related to libraries and education, then this is a good job for you.  A typical day at work is spent organizing and processing materials and helping people locate information that they need.  Attention to detail and good organization plus multi-tasking skills required.  Also, constant interruptions occur so be prepared for that too.

Worked as a seasonal parks and rec worker. Started out well, lots of students and it was quite fun. However, we were given very little training, was subsequently blamed for accidents, and supervisor was very inappropriate. Couldn’t seem to do anything right, was stepping on egg shells by the end of the summer. High turn over rate of staff.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Developmental service worker 8 salaries reported	$27.24 per hour
Truck driver 6 salaries reported	$35.75 per hour
Garden nursery worker 2 salaries reported	$22.09 per hour
Cleaner 2 salaries reported	$26.67 per hour
Customer service representative 2 salaries reported	$28.24 per hour

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