Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide project and contract management to facilitate the design, development and delivery of environmental management training and education strategies, systems and processes in support of environmental programs.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Plans and manages multiple concurrent projects for the design, development and delivery of training, education and certification programs, systems and processes for ministry, clients and stakeholders on various environmental programs. Develops project terms of reference in conjunction with diverse clients, develops project plans, business cases, impact and cost benefit analyses to define project objectives, time and resources expectations; and determines resource requirements.

2. Manages all phases of projects including the provision of technical direction and leadership to assigned multi disciplinary project teams comprised of subject specialists, branch and external consultants, controls project budgets, facilitates project stages and activities, monitors project progress, negotiates problem resolution and ensuring quality outcomes.

3. Manages consulting services and contracts provided by external service providers including the development of Requests for Proposals (RFP's), participating in the selection of consulting firms or contractors, obtaining approvals and ensuring effective quality control of results through the ongoing liaison, management and evaluation of services and products.

4. Works with the Manager in determining strategies, priorities and initiatives to achieve learning and information objectives for the Ministry.

5. Develops and maintains key business relationships within a multi-disciplinary team setting to provide leadership and facilitation of groups responsible for providing content expertise and support in all phases of product development and training materials. Provides strategic advice and input to training concepts, designs, curriculum and alternate delivery models to meet the needs of a large diverse audience.

6. Conducts a variety of projects for the research, writing and publication of a range of training and education materials including resource material, training manuals, books, information sheets, lesson plans and evaluation criteria. Researches and introduces best practices, innovative tools, technologies and products from other jurisdictions for use by the Ministry.

7. Conduct program evaluation of individual projects to monitor and report on the overall effectiveness of program development and implementation efforts including client satisfaction, quality control of products and value of program initiatives. Provides value added recommendations to the program team on improved initiatives and directions for training, education and certification.

Knowledge :

Position requires:
- Knowledge of adult education principles, techniques and practices to ensure effective quality control of results through the ongoing liaison, management and evaluation of services and products and to provide strategic advice and input to training concepts, designs, curriculum and alternate delivery models to meet the needs of a large diverse audience.
- Knowledge of project management methods and techniques to plan and manage multiple concurrent projects for the design, development and delivery of training, education and certification programs, systems and processes.
- Knowledge of government procurement and contract management policies and procedures to plan, develop and manage the tendering, procurement and contract management process for contracting and working with external service providers.
- Knowledge of research methods, techniques and research skills to conduct a range of research in support of the education and training strategy for environmental program areas.
- Knowledge of evaluation techniques to conduct program evaluation of individual projects.
- Leadership skills to provide technical direction and leadership to assigned multi disciplinary project teams.
- Budget planning and management and financial analysis skills to prepare cost benefit analyses, plan and control project budgets.
- Excellent oral communication and business relationship skills to develop and maintain key business relationships with project teams and to communicate information to internal staff, other professionals, advisors and industry professionals.
- Excellent written communication skills to prepare training and communication materials including resource material, training manuals, books, information sheets, lesson plans, evaluation criteria.
- Knowledge and understanding of agricultural management practices, environmental issues and technologies, relevant regulations, and best management practices for agriculture.
- Knowledge and skills in computer applications for statistical analysis, database management, word processing, and electronic communications including the use of the internet to prepare own materials.

Judgement :

Position works within the general direction of the Manager, Training, Education and Communication and within the broad framework of environmental legislation and sound project management, contract management and adult training principles. Position is expected to work with a high level of independence in planning and managing projects to ensure the training goals and objectives of the Branch education and training programs are met in a timely and cost effective manner. Judgement is exercised in developing project terms of reference for multiple, concurrent projects with consideration to the range of diverse clients. Judgment is exercised in developing project plans which define project objectives, time, financial and human resource requirements. Position exercises judgement in working with and providing the necessary leadership and direction to subject specialists, branch and external consultants in order to ensure all training issues are addressed, budgets are controlled, timeframes met and quality outcomes produced. Judgement is exercised in negotiating problem resolution when external resources are relied upon for final products and in handling competing priority demands. Judgement is exercised in researching best practices, innovative tools, technologies and products from other jurisdictions and recommending applicability for use by Branch. Judgement is exercised in conducting program evaluation of individual projects to monitor and report on the overall effectiveness of program development and implementation efforts and in providing valued added recommendations to the program team on improved initiatives and directions for training, education and certification.

Accountability - Programs :

Provide project and contract management to facilitate the design, development and delivery of various environmental education and training programs. Works with the Manager in determining strategies, priorities and initiatives to achieve learning and information objectives for environmental programs.

Accountability - Finance and Materials :

Develops and control multiple project budgets. Acquires and manages contractual agreements with external service providers.

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

Ineffective planning and management of projects and contracts for education and training could result in poor quality training products, wasted project and program funds, criticism by stakeholders requiring training.

Contact - Internal :

Frequent contact with Branch colleagues and with other Ministry Branches and Divisions to develop and maintain key business relationships to provide leadership and facilitate groups responsible for providing content expertise and support in product development and training materials.

Contact - External :

Frequent contact with external service providers to acquire, manage and evaluate consulting services and contracts and to provide direction and leadership on projects. Regular contact with agricultural producers, associations and related groups to develop relationships and seek input to the development of curriculum; provide and exchange information; and monitor/measure the effectiveness of training/certification programs. Occasional contact with counterparts in other jurisdictions to research best practices, tools, technologies and other products.