Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To lead a multi-disciplinary team of resource management professional and technical staff for a Park/Park Cluster to: deliver MNRs mandate of ecological sustainability; provide management direction on the long-range resource management planning; integrate natural resource management programs (forest, fish, wildlife, fire, protected areas, parks); integrate natural resource management related legislation, policy and procedures ; and to provide leadership and supervision to a diverse workforce within a large operating park in the province. To contribute to the revenue generation of the park by preparing marketing strategies, plans, events. Participates in the implementation of the Ministrys “Our Sustainable Future” and Results Based Planning initiatives.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Accountable for the delivery of ecological sustainability and significant natural, cultural and recreational programming associated with provincially significant natural/cultural features on the land-base Rondeau Provincial Park, including Clear Creek Forest Nature Reserve, the incumbent:
• Leads and manages the design, testing, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of long-range resource management plans on the land-base.
• Identifies new science and management needs to support policy and program development to ensure resource sustainability.
• Plans, leads, manages organizes, coaches, mentors, supervises and directs a team of resource management professional and technical staff and MCP Supervisor(s) (biologists, ecologists, naturalists, planners, Assistant Park Superintendents) to attain provincial program goals with maximum effectiveness and efficiency. Continuously monitors and evaluates, initiates and identifies and acts on areas requiring improvement to ensure continuous learning and improvement is undertaken.
• Implementation of Ontarios Regulation of Protected Areas, development of the Species at Risk programs, etc., to meet the governments objectives.
• Plans prepares and administers the Park annual and 5 year Park Business Plan and budget to control expenditures, in-year reporting and control, determine and implement cost reductions as required, generate revenue and ensure efficient and effective utilization of financial resources; to provide strategies and develop plans for expansion of financial opportunities for Park through preparation of individual Business Case submissions to increase revenue generation, including negotiating and supervising concession/partnership contracts, joint business ventures, fee for service contracts, collecting revenue from sources such as cash/debit/credit cards, leases and maintains financial records; establishes/negotiates partnership agreements with friends associations, stakeholders, partners organizations; maintains appropriate financial records and safeguards and deposits revenue into Special Purpose Account (SPA).
• Represents Ministry and Ontario Parks in dealing with non-ministry organizations on complex, high profile issues of provincial significance, such as ecosystem protection, ecological sustainability, land use/planning, private land use disputes, legal proceedings, First Nation treaty rights, partnership agreements, access to Park, research activities; tourism, public safety; compliance with legislative requirements of other branches of government such as Ministry of the Environment/Ministry of Health for public use water/sewage treatment systems; conducting public consultation meetings on Management and Resources Management Plans, Environmental Assessment Act, and Environmental Bill of Rights, participating on committees/working groups; preparing communication plans for Ministry officials and recommending strategies for issues resolution; meeting with interest groups; businesses, stakeholders to exchange information, discuss problems, resolve conflicts, and negotiate agreements.
• Provides land-use, biological and ecological advice to senior managers, supervisors, and staff on policy and program issues. Interprets, implements and transfers new and proven resource based policy, programs, science and technology to ensure the integration of diverse programs is effective and understood.
• Plans, co-ordinates, directs and evaluates Park enforcement operations to ensure compliance with Acts, regulations, Park policies, compliance with provincial objectives related to camping, day use activities and the protection of a diversity of issues ranging from protection of a unique ecosystem to significant levels of Park use and recreational management issues, providing direction to Park Warden on fish and wildlife enforcement; takes enforcement action as required as a Park Warden involving serious/sensitive violations, mentors and trains Park Wardens, liaises with Ontario Provincial Police regarding enforcement issues.
• Plans, co-ordinates, directs and evaluates Park operations covering a wide variety of diverse services over a large land base, including maintenance/construction of facilities/campsites, Visitor Centre, communications systems, licensing to operate multiple water and sewage treatment systems, recreational equipment services to the public, significant equipment, vehicles and materials, ensuring compliance with public health and safety regulations covering public use.

2 As a key member of the Zone/Park Management team to:
• on behalf of MNR, lead resource management issues in the Zone and/or for a specific park which includes program coordination, issues management and the provision of associated expert/professional (forests, lands, fish, wildlife, fire, planning) advice.
• Represent or act for the Ontario Parks Zone Manager when required.
• Represent MNR in the community by developing and implementing a communications program; maximizing public, client and community participation in resource management decision making; promoting public awareness and acceptance of ministry programs, policies and guidelines; and serving as liaison/Ministry lead for the area with First Nations, Federal Government, Provincial Agencies, Municipalities, clients and stakeholders.
• Chairing or serving as a member of local inter-ministerial committees to improve resource management and OPS program delivery and client services.

3. Develop partnerships, marketing plans and cooperative resource management agreements:
• Establishes and maintains partnerships, builds relationships with the broad community of resource users/stakeholders, and effectively communicates government/ministry direction to ensure understanding and acceptance of what can be achieved through cooperative resource management. Identifies opportunities for enhanced cooperative resource management, develops strategies to market opportunities, and advises on their actualization.
• Lead and develop external partnerships to deliver effective resource management. Chairs and/or as a member ministerial committees to improve resource management program delivery and client services.
• Represent MNR/Ontario Parks/Zone on zone, ministry, inter-ministry and external to OPS committees and develop partnerships to further the development and implementation of policy and programs and enhanced resource management, on corporate committees to ensure the accurate and effective development of provincial policy and guidelines.
• Develops marketing and promotional partnerships with local interest groups, attend promotional shows/exhibits educate local stakeholders, attend public forums. Develop and promote marketing initiatives to meet park objectives and prepare business cases for new investment initiatives; ensure park values and objectives are protected and promoted within the framework of Provincial Park Planning and Management Policies, corporate business plans and marketing initiatives.

4. Accountable to manage staff including planning staff requirements, developing position specifications, recruitment and selection, performance management and development, assigning, scheduling and evaluating work, responding to grievances, disciplining as necessary. Independent decision making to meet all demands; accepting delegation of authority; handling reviews/investigations/ FOI requests, EBR, WDHP, Ombudsman investigations, tribunals, etc; resolving complex and contentious issues while balancing MNR and community interests with the government agenda; achieving targets within budget while operating in a climate of constantly changing and conflicting program priorities and fiscal pressures; demonstrating advanced conflict resolution abilities, facilitation, mediation and negotiation techniques.

5.
The incumbent shall work in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations and any workplace practices as directed by the employer; ensure employees know their roles and responsibilities under the OHSA, and have job descriptions and performance development plans (PDPs) that reflect appropriate performance requirements; ensure that equipment, materials and protective devices are provided, maintained and used as required in the OHSA and Regulations; ensure a healthy and safe workplace is provided to employees through proactive hazard recognition, evaluation and control; ensure that workers take precautions to protect the health and safety of themselves and others by complying with such acts, codes, policies, procedures or accepted workplace practices as may be appropriate; advise workers of any hazards, and any actual and potential danger in the workplace and the required precautions, of which the supervisor is aware; ensure that where work is not carried out by the ministry, the ministry recognizes and manages any health and safety duties as an owner, employer, or constructor as defined under the OHSA; respond in a timely manner to health and safety concerns raised by employees; conduct an initial investigation into a work refusal under the Occupational Health and Safety Act; where appropriate in the circumstances, apply or recommend discipline up to and including dismissal, in response to safety infractions;consider health and safety in hiring decisions for positions with supervisory responsibilities; investigate a work-related accident.

Knowledge :

Comprehensive knowledge of the theory, principles, and practices of resource and ecosystem management planning such as Park Management Plans, Resource Management Plans, Cultural Resource Management Plans and Operating Strategies. Comprehensive knowledge of relevant legislation, such as the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act and Regulations, Ministry of Natural Resources Act, Public Lands Act and Regulations, Environmental Protection Act, Environmental Assessment Act, Endangered Species Act, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, Public Health and Promotion Act and the Environmental Bill of Rights to ensure conformity to legislated requirements in park planning and operation particularly in the areas of deer reduction program, prescribed burning, traditional hunts by first nations, public access, public use water systems under license and sewage/waste treatment system regulations as well as First Nation Treaty entitlements. In addition, position requires comprehensive knowledge of enforcement theories, principles and techniques including legislation such as Trespass to Private Property Act, Liquor Control Act, Criminal Code, and pertinent sections of other acts such as Environmental Protection Act to coordinate, and direct enforcement activities within Park boundaries such as destruction of resources, protected areas, unauthorized occupation, violation of land use agreements, using protected areas, unruly behavior. Comprehensive understanding of applicable policies, procedures, agreements and legislation; to effectively integrate and deliver resource management programs; and to prepare program work plans, maintain financial control, recruit and supervise staff; and ensure program delivery and
compliance functions meets Ministry plans and directions. Comprehensive knowledge of Ontario Parks goals, objectives and parks management theories, principles and practices to protect ecosystems, coordinate operation of park and coordinate and plan service delivery. Advanced leadership, negotiation, mediation, facilitation, conflict resolution, and crisis management, and interpersonal skills to lead an integrated team in the planning and delivery of the area ecosystem management program. Excellent analytical skills and creativity to find solutions to complex issues/conflicts. Excellent writing skills to review and comment on Ministry policy and procedures, to interpret complex topics into plain language, prepare letters, briefing notes and reports for senior management. Strong oral communication skills and consulting skills to effectively transfer knowledge to interpret and explain complex issues into lay-person terms, develop and maintain linkages within the team, the Zone, other sections of MNR, and clients and the general public. Position requires good understanding of financial policies, practices and procedures as well as budget preparation and procedures to plan and coordinate park annual and 5 year Business Plan and budget process, which includes revenue forecasting, in-year monitoring and control, reconciliation, cost recovery, expenditure control, revenue safeguarded and deposited in Special Purpose Account, cost reduction methods, preparation of individual business cases for new revenue initiatives, manage and control the receipt, security and records of significant revenue such as cash/debit transactions, lease payments, developing financial opportunities and supervising financial cooperative partnerships. Good knowledge of fundamentals of marketing and marketing strategies is required to market and promote park usage, park merchandise, generate interest in park resources, decide on investment of revenue for promotional initiatives/product lines, cultivating relationships/partnerships with local, regional, provincial and/or specialized interest groups/tourist associations, Chambers of Commerce. Good understanding of trades and ability to understand related legislation regarding site, development and construction plans and specifications to supervise on-site work projects under the provisions of Occupational Health and Safety And Construction Liens Act.
Good working knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the regulations that apply to the work; knowledge of any potential or actual danger to health or safety in the workplace; familiar with the ministry work-related accident reporting process and the injury management strategy; knowledge of the MBS Health and Safety Directive and other corporate and ministry specific health and safety policies and programs. Ability to pass licensing requirements for public use water treatment operation and sewage treatment operation, as required. Knowledge and understanding of OPS human resource management legislation, collective agreements, policy and practice, to effectively manage staff. Advanced analytical and contract management skills to identify and rectify problems in program delivery, and implementing improvements. Knowledge of applicable computer software applications including WIN, Camis, Parks Statistics System (PSS), Outlook, the Internet etc. and policies and procedures surrounding the appropriate use of expanding information based technology

Judgement :

Under the general direction of the Zone Manager, judgement is exercised in being accountable for leading the park team: determining the priorities for resource management programs within a large geographic area and evaluating the impacts of these programs. This position exercises delegated and independent decision-making in determining the direction of the Ministrys integrated program for the park(s) without immediate access to manager. Frequently acts on behalf of the MNR and Zone Manager and must exercise political sensitivity, technical and professional judgement accordingly. Judgement is exercised in resolving complex, diverse and frequently contentious (involving stakeholders) resource management and personnel problems/issues caused by competing demands for Ministry services and resources in the Park(s); evaluating programs, their delivery, and their long term impacts and implications, developing proposals for improvements, and adjusting plans/priorities accordingly. Representing the Zone in developing and reviewing resource management provincial policy, formulating provincial policy proposals for submission to the Park Management Team and transferring the final products for implementation. Judgement is exercised in planning and implementing park annual and 5 year Business Plan and budget, including estimating, forecasting and authorizing expenditures/reductions, determining appropriate investment of funds in business projects to generate future revenue and recover costs, determining priority of capital investment for park, ensuring financial procedures are accurate and conform to policies and that significant cash revenue is recorded and reconciled. Judgement is used in all aspects of direct park operations, e.g. staffing; providing appropriate training and advice, deciding work schedules, closure of camping or day use areas, posting water restrictions, deciding on enforcement action against campers, contacting police authorities, responding to emergencies, public complaints, identifying hazards to public health and safety including potable water, providing input into preparation of annual programs, operating plans and site plans, managing/assessing liability issues for park programs or events. Judgement is also exercised in dealing tactfully and diplomatically with the public, stakeholders, and park users to handle complaints/problems, disseminate information, conduct public consultation process under environmental legislation. Judgement and innovative thinking are required in dealing with potential areas of conflict with private landowners within Park, First Nations treaty rights, ecosystem and resource management, identifying and stopping outside Park activities that could impact on park, to resolve interest group conflicts, in order to meet, share information, diffuse conflict and negotiate resolution if representing MNR on provincial committees. Judgement is exercised in dealing with stakeholders, senior management (Deputy and ADMs office), representing MNR on provincial committees.

Accountability - Programs :

Accountable for the achievement of ecological sustainability for their area of the province, by providing long range management direction and planning, integration of numerous resource management programs, legislation, Ministry/Zone policies and guidelines. Directly responsible for the implementation, delivery and quality of the integrated program in the park and that objectives are met within funding allocations and policy/procedure confines. Position is accountable for the effective management of the Park through the achievement of targets set out in the annual work plan and within the framework of the Park/Resource Management Plans. Prepares and implements an operating plan for the Park to provide for the optimum utilization within the limits of the Park resource base. Accountable for the understanding, analysis and impacts of decisions on legal implications to the MNR, and in some cases, personal liability.

Accountability – Personnel :

Directly Supervises a wide range of professional, technical, and support staff comprised of 3 classified staff and 62 unclassified staff. Directly accountable for staff performance including appraisal and discipline. Accountable for the recruitment, competition, and selection for vacancies, and to ensure employees are appropriately trained. Position is accountable to ensure workers receive information and instruction to protect their health and safety, including task-specific direction related to the performance of their work; ensure that hazard controls are in place and used to effectively protect the worker; ensure that a Joint Health and Safety Committee or Health and Safety Representative, as appropriate under the OHSA, is established and provided assistance and co-operation.

Accountability - Finance and Materials :

Accountable for capital planning, maintenance and prioritizing replacement of significant physical assets valued at $4.3 million (2003). Implements approved work plan by authorizing expenditures and reductions, and maintaining annual budgetary control over $1.238 million (2003). Responsible for the effective collection, recording and processing of significant revenues, including cash transactions, of over greater than $1.349 million (2003). Plans and implements park annual and 5 year Business Plan and budget for the park as part of business planning process, including forecasting, in-year reporting and control, reconciliation, establishing and negotiating new initiatives, partnerships, within established corporate guidelines and financial accountability framework. Accountable for cash, money safe, merchandise inventory, revenues and all financial records, a diversified inventory of Park equipment/vehicles, visitor centre, buildings, water systems. Accountable for marketing investment strategies/initiatives in the areas of promotional materials, product merchandise and probable return on investment.

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

Failure to provide effective management of a large, complex provincial park could result in negative impact to vulnerable, rare or threatened ecosystems, ineffective resource management or planning, possible erosion/loss/destruction of resources of provincial or national significance and possible harvesting of protected resources, private legal action by environmental interest groups, failure to comply with environmental legislation as well as water or sewage treatment requirements could result in prosecution by Ministry of the Environment and/or Ministry of Health, causing serious embarrassment to Ministry/Ontario Parks; failure to effectively manage a public use activity park could result in personal injury to visitors and staff, angry visitors and interest groups, embarrassment to Ministry associated with personal injury to visitors and staff or illness from poor water integrity. Public funds could be wasted if proper budget control is not exercised. Taking legal action against individuals/companies inappropriately could erode working relationships with groups, individuals and result in legal action, Charter of Rights complaints, embarrassment to the Park/Ministry/Ontario Government. Poor marketing strategies/initiatives could result in loss of revenue invested and impact on other areas of operation of the park. Poor contract management could lead to the ministry paying higher costs or not receiving goods and services contracted. Development of poor standards and procedures could lead to the ministry being held responsible for the negative impacts on the ecology. Failure to provide a healthy and safe workplace for employees could result in: work-related accidents or illnesses, higher WSIB claim costs for the organization, and the potential for Ministry of Labour orders or prosecutions.

Contact - Internal :

Ongoing contact with MNR, District staff and Ontario Parks/Zone/Main office managers/specialists to facilitate the resource management program in the park(s), prepare plans and seek advice on operational or financial matters. As a key member of the Zone Management Team to determine Parks priorities and to ensure consistency among parks. Regular contact with various Ontario government agencies, ministries, (Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services/Ontario Provincial Police) to acquire services and to exchange information; regular contact with Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Health to discuss public water quality and testing, sewage regulations. Occasional contact with Deputy Ministers Office and ADMs Office to exchange professional and technical advice on specific resource management issues, communications plans, briefing notes, news releases; regular contact with other superintendents regarding issues management, exchange information and staff such as Zone/Main Office, engineering/water systems staff to obtain professional/technical advice; ministry/MBS regarding legal disputes. Occasional contact with other Ministries (Ministry of Health, Ministry of transportation to ensure compliance with existing legislation such as garbage and highway signs. Chair/member of various resource management committees, both within the ministry and across ministries.

Contact - External :

Extensive contact with the public such as park users/visitors, Chambers of Commerce, clubs, interest groups, to promote activities, deal with complaints, concerns; regularly with private landowners, First Nations Representatives, and interest groups of provincial and national profile to outline ecosystem and resource management strategies; occasionally with public and wide range of interest groups when conducting public consultation of Management Plan or Environmental Assessment Act and requires public notifications; regularly with public and private companies to develop partnerships, marketing strategies; partnerships, establish positive working relationships; negotiate and supervise park contractors, concessionaires, suppliers, to administer services to the park. Regular contact with local media (e.g. newspaper, radio and television stations) re: park activity promotion, incidents/emergencies, provide information. Regular/occasional contact with federal departments and authorities relating to the provision of resource programs. Frequent contact with local MPPs, MPs, Municipal mayors and Councils.