Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To plan, coordinate and participate in the production of Ontario's forest resource information base (including forest stand, forest ecosystem, and non-productive areas) utilizing aerial photo interpretation techniques, remote sensing and forest field survey information. To provide guidance and oversee and perform quality assurance/quality control of work carried out by forest industry, first nations and/or contractors. The forest resource information base is required under legislation and is used in operational forest planning, ecological land-use planning and determinations of forest sustainability.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Planning, coordinating and contract administration across multiple management units the acquisition, competency and interpretation of remotely sensed images to delineate the forest stand, forest ecosystem and non-productive area base to support MNR's forest business plans, forest management plans, the assessment of forest sustainability, associated activities and partners. Participating in the development and implementation of and the review and revision of related processes and standards. 2. Planning, coordinating and conducting actual visual interpretation of information from remotely sensed images as well as overseeing and performing quality assurance/quality control of work carried out by forest industry, first nations and/or contractors including contract administration. Ensuring/testing the competency of staff and contractors to carry out project/work requirements, and ensuring the adherence to established processes, specifications and standards. Correcting and for reporting data anomalies and errors to forest industry and/or contractors for their correction. 3. Planning, coordinating and leading the field survey process to obtain forest information including forecasting, planning and budgeting monies for survey seasons and aerial flights; operating and/or maintaining capital assets such as vehicles, boats, ATV's and snowmobiles; assigning and ensuring adherence to production targets; supervising, monitoring and training staff; companies and contractors on techniques and use of equipment and liaising with district staff. Overseeing and performing quality assurance/quality control of work carried out by forest industry and/or contractors. 4. Planning, coordinating and preparing field sample layout on photographs and maps to ensure proper location and sampling intensity from field survey output and to ensure quality and accuracy of results by contracted companies and consultants. 5. Planning, leading and participating in training and competency processes through the preparation of materials and courses, instruction and for assessment of third parties in the collection, interpretation and recording of forest inventories information. 6. Identifying the need for, evaluating, developing, testing and reviewing new inventory methodologies, specifications and standards related to forest information as well as broader integrated inventories (e.g. wildlife habitat, eco-site information) to improve the overall efficiency of the program. 7. Operating computers with specialized programs applied in resource inventories. Ensures that workers take precautions to protect the Health and Safety of themselves and other by complying with such acts, codes, policies, procedures or accepted workplace practices as may be appropriate. Ensuring hazards are identified and workers are advised of the known hazards and required precautions. Act in accordance with the Internal Responsibility System (IRS) as outlined in the OH&S Act.

Staffing and Licencing :

Class G Driver's License Employee/position incumbent must have ability/possess stereo-scopic vision to meet FRI aerial photography interpretation standards. Employee/position incumbent must be able to measure height of objects from aerial photographs and height test patterns.

Knowledge :

Job requires thorough knowledge of specialized and complex methods, theories and procedures related to photogrammetry including aerial photo interpretation and mapping, remote sensing interpretation and mapping, and photogrammetric methods, techniques and processes for identification of tree species, stand and site parameters (e.g. species distribution, age, height, crown closure, drainage, and forest/wetland ecosystem classifications) for interpreting and delineating forest stand and ecosystem classification information on aerial photographs and remotely sensed images. Job requires thorough knowledge of tree species, forest site relationships, forest tree/site relationships, forest ecology, soils, topography and surficial geology and their interrelationships to aid in aerial photo interpretation to properly interpret and delineate the required forest information. Job requires a thorough knowledge of MNR standards, office and field survey procedures, forest business information needs and forest sampling techniques to ensure reliable results as required for forest inventory systems by working with clients to identify needs, review methodologies and choosing the most appropriate method of procedure to ensure the information is collected in an accurate and consistent manner. Job requires knowledge of mapping, mathematics and traversing to plot and calculate compass bearings in order to identify and locate productive and mature stands of trees on aerial photographs, maps and on the ground. Job requires knowledge of inventory methods to review and revise, and to assess and design new inventories by reviewing information needs and current inventory methods. Job requires knowledge of computers, MNR's standard office software and specialized Forest Information software programs. Job requires knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations that apply to the work, and knowledge of any potential or actual danger to health or safety in the workplace to ensure compliance when performing supervisory responsibilities.

Skills :

Job requires interpretive, perception and analytical skills to visually assess aerial photographs in conjunction with other sources of forest information to describe specific forest stand information (e.g. age, height, density, crown diameters and site class productivity) continuity and disturbances (e.g. fires, cut-overs). Job requires researching and problem solving skills to research plan, coordinate, arrange and orchestrate aerial photography acquisition and interpretation, and field surveys including budget, travel, and training and monitoring, assessing and reviewing contractor performance. Job requires considerable researching and problem solving skills to analyze and evaluate the interactions of forest species and site characteristics to properly interpret and delineate forest information. Job requires the ability to review and revise, and to assess and recommend changes to current inventory methods in relation to MNR business requirements. Job requires the ability to originate, research, design and market new inventory methods. Job requires excellent project management, organizational and team leadership skills to plan, coordinate and lead all aspects of the production of Ontario's forest resources information base and to develop partnerships and agreements and to develop and manage contracts for work to be carried out by forest industry, first nations and/or contractors. Job requires oral and written communication skills to administer the photo interpretation and field survey process including budgeting; liaison with MNR district and forest industry staff on the detailed information for the forest inventory database (which involves specialized terminology), presenting and explaining the processes and requirements for cruising, photo interpretation, stand/site delineation and the relationships between these; reporting on the production schedule; and to advise, monitor and train MNR staff, forest companies and contractors who perform photo interpretation and cruising activities. Job requires interpersonal skills to liaise, negotiate and advise MNR staff, forest companies and contractors including the uses and application of photogrammetric methods, the uses and application of forest resources information, resolving issues, resolving conflicts, adherence to standards, compliance with procedures and to deal tactfully with all partners and clients.

Freedom of Action :

Job requires reviewing, developing and/or working within ministry policies, guidelines, standards, definitions and procedures relating to obtaining and interpreting information from aerial photographs and other sources for determining the productive forest base and ensuring that ministry and private sector staff adhere to Standards and apply consistent approaches. Job decides and records the information to be entered into the forest resources information base and reviews and controls the quality of photos and information produced. Job integrates field source data to ensure proper location and sampling intensity of fieldwork. Job negotiates and comes to agreement with MNR staff, forest companies, and contractors in regard to work to be performed and results to be obtained. Results are reviewed for overall adherence and effectiveness. Job provides work progress/status updates to coordinator and seek clarification or input on technical or administrative issues. Situations for which there are no policy directions are referred to the coordinator and/or manager.