Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide specialist technical consultative advice, expertise and training on marine archaeology, archaeological resource conservation, protection and management, to provincial marine heritage organizations, other ministries/ governments, divers and other key stakeholders.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Performs work within the Culture Services Unit responsible for facilitating the management and conservation of Ontarios heritage resources:

1. Acts as a key resource to the ministry in marine archaeology. Provides expert technical advice and specialized expertise to the Minister, senior management and key stakeholders including other ministries and levels of government, agencies, NGOs and commercial dive organizations, in the conservation of marine heritage resources. Advises on all aspects of resource inventory, identification, management, resource development and best practices.

2. Provides consultative and advisory services to the ministry and stakeholders in the development of strategic plans, master plans, business plans, tourism plans, economic development plans and tools to advance conservation in a strategic manner. Develops and promotes the implementation of programs and services to support the conservation of marine heritage resources. Promotes the development of new partnerships and provides support in terms of transfer of data, the provision of advice and training, and the management of ministry owned resources.

3. Provides expert advice to support the development of new or amended legislation, guidelines, bulletins, strategic and operational policy, requests for capital and operational funding support (Cabinet Submissions and MB-20s). Provides consultative services in support of the development of the Marine Heritage Conservation Program.

4. Provides critical review and comment on archaeological assessment and mitigation studies, and development proposals that may impact archaeological resources. Provides ministry review and clearance recommendation for development/environmental assessment work to assist clients to meet their own objectives. Ensures that submerged cultural resources are not adversely impacted by development. Drafts the ministrys position, and provides ongoing input and final review recommendation following submission of the final report. Represents the province as an expert witness at tribunals, hearings and litigation.

5. Promotes and raises awareness and understanding of Ontario's significant archaeological resources by developing and implementing training and educational programs to ministry staff and stakeholders on marine heritage conservation. Delivers workshops, training sessions, seminars, lectures and talks concerning archaeological conservation.

Staffing and Licencing :

Valid Ontario Class G Drivers License.

Knowledge :

· Knowledge of heritage resources management and archaeology, and the specific role and objectives of the Programs and Services Branch and the Culture Services Unit to provide appropriate advice on heritage conservation.
· Knowledge of policies, programs, statutes and regulations that impact on heritage resource conservation, e.g. Ontario Heritage Act, Canada Shipping Act, Environmental Assessment Act, Navigable Waters Act, to critically review development plans and known sites, and to provide consultation.
· Knowledge and understanding of principles and practices of marine archaeology, prehistoric archaeology, resource management, heritage conservation and conservation techniques, marine heritage resources, and an understanding of 18th/19th century commercial shipping and ship construction, to provide advice on marine archaeological research and resource conservation.
· Knowledge of scuba diving, underwater surveying and recording, use of small boats, navigation, positioning using traditional and electronic methods, artifact conservation, underwater archaeology/excavation, remote sensing and use of side scan equipment to provide authoritative advisory services.
· Knowledge of course development and presentation methods, and adult education theory and training techniques/practices, to develop and deliver workshops, seminars, and education and training programs appropriate to the needs of clients on topics such as prehistoric underwater archaeology, protection of shipwrecks, documentation/survey of shipwrecks.

Skills :

Job requires:

· Analytical skills to answer complex technical archeological/licensing inquiries; to interpret/apply legislation and conservation standards when providing consultative and technical advice to law enforcement agencies, the Ministry of the Attorney General, government staff, marine heritage community, museums, Aboriginal communities, heritage interest groups and the public; to act as a resource in the preparation of submerged cultural management plans, tourism feasibility studies, and the documentation of shipwrecks; to assess reported finds/sites and determine potential threat to heritage resources; to ensure the protection of valuable resources/artifacts.
· Analytical skills to assess complicated license/development applications, contract/project information forms, outstanding reports or other unusual/contentious matters i.e. breaches of terms and conditions of licenses, ineligible projects; to provide advice where illegal or unlicensed activity such as shipwreck looting has taken place.
· Evaluative skills to review and comment on Cabinet submissions/MB-20s, and to contribute and make recommendations on the development of new or revised legislation, procedures, policy and guidelines; to identify archaeological resource training needs of clients, and develop workshops and seminars.

Job requires:
· oral communication skills to provide consultative and technical advice on all aspects of marine archaeological research, resource conservation and licensed underwater projects to licensed archaeologists, First Nations, developers, divers and heritage interest groups, and the public; to explain/discuss intent and application of licensing and legislation; to negotiate with heritage stakeholders to present workshops and seminars; to cultivate joint partnerships and co-operative training programs with colleagues in other ministries and levels of government.
· written communication skills to prepare comments/recommendations on ministry policies and Cabinet submissions.

Freedom of Action :

Job requires working within archeological legislation and regulatory requirements (Ontario Heritage Act), other relevant legislative frameworks (i.e. Environmental Assessment Act), established provincial policies, processes, approvals, guidelines and directives, and recognized marine archaeological methodology, standards, practice and techniques.

Decisions and recommendations made by the position promote the conservation of heritage resources in Ontario.

Decision making involves: providing recommendations for the ADMs consideration regarding the denial, issuance, revocation or suspension of provincial land-based and marine archaeological licenses; providing expert technical advice and specialized expertise to the Minister, senior management and key stakeholders including other ministries and levels of government, agencies, NGOs and commercial dive organizations, on the conservation of marine heritage resources; providing clearance recommendations for development/environmental assessment work; representing the province as an expert witness at tribunals, hearings and litigation; making recommendations and contributing to the development of new/revised legislation, Cabinet submissions, ministry policy and government initiatives.

Work is reviewed for overall achievement of marine heritage conservation objectives. Unusual matters such as reported site looting, repeated defaults, complex cases involving other levels of government, and politically sensitive issues are referred to the manager.