Job Specification

Purpose :

To plan, design, execute, lead and consult on program evaluations, program audits, research studies and statistical analyses of direct service offender programs and ministry activities of a corporate program nature.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Program Research and Evaluation
- Leads, plans and conducts the evaluation of new core program designs and service models in the adult community and institutional systems. Plans and designs the research and statistical tools (surveys, audit workbooks) required to capture data necessary for project.
- Conducts the analysis, reports and conclusions of program evaluation findings to prepare recommendations which help to shape program development, assist in program development and evaluations, identify training and staff needs, and guide the movement of some services from institutions to the community in order to capitalize on the strengths of existing community based programs. Programs include facilities and probation offices.
- Leads and oversees large scale evaluations which are rendered (e.g. operational coordination, data collection) and assists in the coordination of research conducted by external service providers and academics including ensuring appropriate field contacts are involved and clear about their roles and contribute to the research as required; ensure that data collection and transfer to the researcher occurs appropriately; and, address operational and research queries of the researcher and the field.
- Develops and implements measures aimed at furthering the Ontario government's goal to enhance service quality, specifically related to the common service standards, the service quality framework for performance measurement.
2. Project Management
- Provides project leadership to teams (comprised of Deputy Regional Directors, select custody administrators, program personnel) responsible for the program evaluations of all adult custody facilities on an annual basis. Plans and oversees all phases of the program evaluation including assigning project tasks, monitoring project progress and ensuring deadlines are met.
- Leads the design of future criminogenic risk/need assessments as well as programs within the ministry addressing a range of empirically supported criminogenic risk factors leading to criminal behaviour including: employment/education problems, family/marital problems, companions (pro-criminal/anti-social); pro-criminal/anti-social attitudes, substance abuse, leisure/recreation problems and anti-social behavioural problems.
3. Consultation, Advice & Support
- Provides program evaluation methods, consultation and training to field level program providers attempting to measure the effects of existing offender programs.
- Supports a teamwork environment and culture, which encourages all employees to work co-operatively together, in both a formal and informal teams, workgroups and/or networks to achieve common objectives and to develop a healthy, rewarding and productive working environment.
- Advises ministry officials regarding policy and program impacts of evaluation, research and statistical findings to assist with policy design, development.
- Represents the ministry on inter-ministerial and inter-provincial committees and conferences.
- Prepares and makes presentations to senior ministry officials and other interested groups on future social and justice trends and the results of studies. Prepares presentations, papers for academic audiences.
- Prepares briefing notes, letters and position papers and other written communications for signature of the Minister, Deputy Minister, Commissioner, ADM's and other senior ministry officials and provides direct response to other branches of the ministry, other government departments, officials from other governments or organizations, justice system stakeholders and the public.

Knowledge / Skill :

Knowledge of and skills in:
- Research methodology, statistical analysis and interpretation and program evaluation techniques and processes to plan and conduct and/or facilitate program evaluation, research studies and statistical analyses of the various programs within the correctional system and to develop related tools to support ongoing project activities requiring data capture.
- Corrections and human service programs and operations to conduct specialized audits of all adult correctional custody programs.
- Correctional policy and programs as well as policy development processes to advise ministry officials of the impact of program evaluation and research findings on ministry policy and program development.
- Criminogenic programming to lead the design of this specialized program design of the ministry.
- Analytical skills to identify, analyze and interpret results of program evaluations, research projects and audits and to apply analytical thinking to use several analytical techniques to break apart complex problems into component parts and to identify several solutions and weigh the value of each.
- Conceptual thinking to apply complex concepts by using knowledge of theory or of different trends or situations to look at current situations.
- Project planning and leadership skills to lead annual program audits and provide direction to external researchers.
- Oral and written communication skills to prepare and present research, evaluation and study results.
- Operations of personal computers and applications software to utilize various programs to perform own responsibilities.

Interpersonal / Influencing Skill :

- Interpersonal skills to clearly explain parameters and expectations for data collection related to a research or evaluation project to key stakeholders.
- Negotiation skills to obtain agreement on project parameters, resources and responsibilities; to lead consultations with a variety of stakeholders with opposing needs and positions; mediate differences, build consensus, and develop and maintain effective working relationships.
- Persuasion skills to gain cooperation and compliance with data collection and evaluation plan, processes and measures.
- Presentation skills to provide clear and concise summaries of research and evaluation results and recommendations to key stakeholders, other professionals and senior ministry officials.
- Consultation and advisory skills to lead or participate on ministry working groups and committees, or to offer expert knowledge and advice with regard to best practices in corrections, research and evaluation.

Analyzing / Problem Solving Skill :

Analytical and problem-solving skills to:
- Plan the design and execution of various program evaluation projects and in determine appropriate tools and techniques to assist in data gathering to support projects.
- Analyze various complex research findings resulting from program evaluations and determining their impact on ministry programs, policies and goals.
- Provide analysis of program audits conducted at all adult correctional facilities to assess their impact and provide recommendations to optimize program development, staff training and methods to capitalize on the strengths of existing community based programs.

Decision Making / Responsibility :

Responsible for:
- Planning, conducting, and leading research and program evaluation and effectiveness projects aimed at providing sound information and recommendations regarding the effectiveness and efficiency of correctional programs in Ontario to support ministry policy and planning and program development.
- Preparing briefing notes and position papers on correctional program effectiveness/efficiency issues for the Minister, Deputy Minister and ADM's and senior officials' signature.
- Leading assigned project teams including annual program audits and external researchers supporting major program evaluations or research projects.
- Overseeing the planning of resources assignment of project tasks, monitoring of project progress and review of work to ensure standards are met.
Decisions are guided by Government/ Ministry/Branch policies, legislation, regulations, guidelines and best practices.

Contacts / Stakeholder :

- Frequent contact with branch/ministry colleagues (e.g. Deputy Regional Directors, custody administrators, program personnel, policy and program development advisors) to lead program audit teams, present findings of program evaluations and research studies and to provide input to policy and program development based on findings.
- Policy counterparts in other ministries to participate in inter-ministerial committees.
- Frequent contact with the research community and external service providers supporting program evaluation projects to coordinate project activities, provide direction and participate in activities.
- Counterparts throughout Canada to conduct research on key program effective issues impacting Ontario's correctional system.

Guidance / Supervision :

- Provides leadership, guidance and direction to project team members.
- Provides interpretation of research results and recommendations to field staff.
- Instructs field staff in data collection procedures.

Demands / Pressures :

Work Demands :

- Frequent unexpected work demands and changes to deadlines on short notice.
- Frequent conflicting work demands and priorities from multiple sources.

Mental / Sensory :

- Frequent requirement for uninterrupted reading/review of legislation, research materials, and policy and program documents.
- Frequent limited control over the pace of work.
- Frequent requirement to work beyond normal hours due to extensive travel requirements.

Conditions / Environment :

- Frequent visits to sites such as jails and Probation and Parole Offices, inclusive of remote drive to and fly in Aboriginal community reporting centres.
- Required to conduct one on one interviews with offenders in custodial settings and with clinical and correctional staff in both custodial and community settings.