Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To support policy and program review, development, transfer and maintenance initiatives of the Division through the provision of policy research, analytical, consultation and related services.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Supports policy and program reviews and development initiatives, individually or as a team member, through policy research, data gathering, options development, analysis, and formulation of recommended actions.
2. Researches, obtains in a timely manner, synthesizes and assesses relevant information from a variety of sources (e.g., Internet searches, legislation, directives, external research/academic journals, policy papers/ proposals) from within government, other jurisdictions, and the private sector including the forest industry. Identifies those areas having impact on and/or practical implications for the topic under review and prepares reports on research conducted.
3. Prepares written summaries, assessments, presentation and briefing materials of policy research findings, analyses and conclusions and presents reports germane to division goals and activities.
4. Assists in coordinating internal and external stakeholder consultation processes and attends stakeholder meetings and forums to identify and discuss interests and concerns/issues. Compiles and reviews resulting information and submissions, highlighting information specific to particular project/initiative and assessing implications/impacts.
5. Maintains ongoing, information sharing relationships with specific project team as well as cross-division counterparts working on related initiatives. Coordinates the gathering and compilation of information/data from other areas.
6. Prepares and maintains project management documentation such as progress of research and analysis, project tracking against milestones and intended outcomes, resource/financial records, etc.
7. Researches and drafts correspondence in response to issues raised by various project/initiative stakeholders.
8. Assists in the development and delivery of policy and program awareness and training efforts and provides ongoing interpretation and support of assigned files to MNR staff, other government agencies, clients, and the public
9. As required, participates in and supports policy and program development initiatives led by other MNR Divisions, other ministries, or other government organizations including undertaking and/or coordinating the review of related documents and assisting in the formulating of Forest Division responses
10. As required, takes minutes of project team meetings for follow-up action by self and others.

The incumbent shall, while in the workplace, conduct themselves in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and any workplace practices as directed by their immediate supervisor, and in accordance with IRS as outlined in the OH&S Act.

Knowledge :

Job requires knowledge of:
• Government, ministry and division direction, agenda, policies, programs, priorities, issues and stakeholders with respect to Ontario's forests, to understand and support the policy development process and the environment in which it occurs;
• Sound knowledge of the principles and practices of forest management and silviculture and sound knowledge of forest management planning to conduct analysis on topics under review and to incorporate input from consultation with stakeholders and interest groups;
• Research and analysis methodology and best practices, including data collection techniques, to recommend research approaches, determine sources of information, independently conduct forest policy research and analysis including impact analysis, and synthesize and assess information including qualitative and quantitative data from a variety of internal and external sources;
• Project planning and management to support and contribute to the achievement of deliverables as a team member, and develop project/initiative related reports such as findings and conclusions based on own research and analysis;
• Report writing to organize and present complex information in a clear and logical fashion;
• Computer operations to use a variety of office software and specialized applications to prepare own materials, conduct research and analysis;
• Occupational Health & Safety Act and Regulations that apply to the work and knowledge of any potential or actual danger to health and safety in order to maintain a safe workplace.

Skills :

Job requires:
• research and analytical skills to determine best sources for specific information, recommend research approaches, determine data collection methods, assess information, apply analytical methods and techniques, present findings and conclusions;
• oral and written communications, consultation and presentation skills, to present and explain information, draft correspondence and issues responses, compose and present reports on own and/or project team work and results, which are based on supporting information;
• interpersonal skills to work as a member of a team and to interact with stakeholders and personnel who may be sources of information/research;
• organizational skills to coordinate own work with that of others and to meet deadlines in an environment of changing priorities;
• computer operation skills to produce correspondence, reports, presentations, analyses, conduct research, etc.

Freedom of Action :

Job requires working within the framework of ministry/division policy and practice and within the specific project/ initiative framework. Job requires independently conducting research and analysis, determining sources and tools and obtaining factual information, identifying issues/trends/impacts/implications specific to the topic under review, presenting findings and conclusions to the policy team, determining priorities among activities needed to support the specific initiative and its team, meeting assigned deadlines, and recommending improvements in the policy and/or project process. Completed work is reviewed by manager/coordinator/policy team for usefulness/validity to the project/initiative.