Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

As a member of the Ontario Parks team, and under the direction of the Park Superintendent, to assist in planning, organizing and delivering enforcement, maintenance, resource management and operational programs at operating and non-operating parks.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Performing compliance duties as a Provincial Park Warden in regular operating, non-operating and backcountry provincial park settings by:
Investigating complaints and infractions, issuing warnings, issuing Provincial Offence Notices, seizing evidence and preparing court documents.
Conducting potentially complex investigations.
Providing information and assistance to park visitors, interest groups and other government and private agencies.
Reviewing and monitoring work completed as a result of work permit/letter of authorization applications.
Conducting inspections of private and commercial land use permits, leases or licenses of occupation, commercial activities and resource uses (i.e. resource extraction, management areas).
Inspect, document and take appropriate action regarding potential contraventions and unauthorized activities (i.e. access, resource use/extraction or occupations).
Working a variety of shifts both day and night, working alone and unsupervised in front and backcountry and remote locations.
Coordinate, direct and participate in the implementation of an inventory and monitoring program for assigned operating and non-operating provincial parks and other protected areas by:
Carrying out data collection and analysis to document the presence, location, condition and potential significance of natural and cultural resource features.
Working directly with proponents/applicants to determine best practices to achieve proponent and Ontario Parks objectives especially regarding work permit/letter of authorization applications.
Undertaking inventory and monitoring and reporting of:
- Flora/Fauna
- Species at Risk
- Invasive species
Preparing reports, making recommendations and implementing appropriate action.
Planning, preparing and delivering public awareness, and educational promotional products and activities.

Conducting administrative duties by:

Providing general park maintenance functions by:
Carrying out routine/non-routine custodial maintenance duties including:
- General grounds maintenance.
- Facility construction and repair.
- Trail, campsite and portage clearing and marking.
- Duties may require the operation and maintenance of hand and power tools and equipment.
The incumbent shall, while in the workplace, conduct themselves in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations, and any workplace policies, procedures or practices as directed by their immediate supervisor, report all work related injuries and illnesses to their immediate
Preparing and updating inventory and monitoring reports and audits.
Compiling file information on resource allocations including land registry, land use permits, work permits and applications, bear management areas, trap
lines areas and commercial baitfish licences.
Participating in the preparation, review and implementation of management and other resources management plans.
Preparing reports, discussion papers, and recommendations to deal effectively with contentious, potentially contentious and other issues.
Coordinating and implementing, the collection, consolidation, entry and analysis of data.

Staffing and Licencing :

Valid Ontario Driver's Licence.
Valid Emergency First Aid Certificate.
Ability to be designated as a Park Warden and complete Ministry certification criteria and standards in Use of Force.
Ability to obtain Pleasure Craft Operators Certificate.
Ability to obtain Ontario Recreational Canoe and Kayak Association (ORCKA) Basic Canoeing Level 2.

Knowledge :

Knowledge of applicable park resource management principles, techniques, legislation, regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines to ensure compliance, provide general direction and guidance to ensure efficient operations and provincial consistency in assigned areas.
Knowledge of provincial park management planning and resource management planning policies, procedures and standards including public consultation to ensure that park management plans, resource management strategies and park planning decisions are in accordance with provincial park planning polices and resource management objectives.
Knowledge of the work planning process and budget allocation process to monitor expenditures of assigned financial resources; provide project estimates, purchase pre-approved items and services; and to review contractor bids and provide recommendations for tender awards for services.
Knowledge of customer service standards/practices, telephone operation and etiquette to serve park clients and respond to general information requests from internal and external clients.
Knowledge of general building and maintenance to operate a variety of equipment to carry out routine maintenance duties (e.g., chainsaw, brush saw, hand tools).
Knowledge of the operation of various equipment, vehicles (e.g. all-terrain vehicles, canoes, boats, trailers and motors) and travelling safely in remote locations.
Job requires knowledge of canoe tripping/camping, navigation and practices/techniques of outdoor living to provide maintenance and compliance activities in backcountry areas of operating and non-operating parks and park reserves.
Knowledge of biology and ecology including conservation biology and biodiversity.
Knowledge of data collection and analysis techniques, and the use of electronic data collection equipment including global positioning systems and geographic information systems.
Knowledge of computer software including word processing, spreadsheets and database packages (e.g.,. Land Information System (LIO), Ontario Parks Inventorying and Monitoring (OPIAM)), in order to conduct analysis of data and prepare reports and presentations.
Knowledge of worker responsibilities as outlined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Skills :

Analytical skill to determine urgency of matters/inquiries/processes and in conjunction with supervisor determine priority and plan appropriate action based on knowledge of subject matter and Ontario Parks objectives.
Analytical skill to apply resource and emergency management and principles and techniques and to respond to situations considering urgency, implications and possible effects to ensure environmental and human protection.
Organizational skills to organize own workload to ensure assignments are completed within established time frames.
Written and verbal communication skills to address complaints, clarify and explain items in detail to internal and external agencies, interest groups, the public and park visitors regarding park procedures, policies, and legislation; to conduct Park Warden duties and to effectively deliver compliance messages and to defend challenges in a courtroom setting.
Group leadership skills and interpersonal communication skills to provide direction to park staff by conducting training, assigning work, explaining work methods, and monitoring performance.
Skill and physical ability to satisfy physical demands analysis and to achieve/maintain Ontario Parks Park Warden Certification and Use of Force training; to manoeuver, negotiate, track, climb and navigate safely through areas of varying terrain and in inclement weather.
Skill and ability to maintain and operate tools, equipment and vehicles safely and efficiently in inclement weather conditions, in developed and backcountry and remote areas. Tools and equipment include but are not limited to hand and power tools, all-terrain vehicles (ATV), boats and motors and canoes, motor vehicles.
Possess minimal impact outdoor living skills and the ability to travel by foot, ATV, boat, canoe or aircraft while working in remote locations.
A strong knowledge of and interest in the identification and monitoring of flora and fauna.

Freedom of Action :

Working in compliance with legislation, policies, procedures, guidelines, directives and accepted practice to perform administrative, procurement, compliance, Natural Heritage Education and backcountry activities.
Demonstration of tact and good judgment to deal appropriately with contentious or potentially contentious issues that may be internal and/or external in nature.
Working under minimal supervision in potentially remote locations demonstrating initiative, tact and good judgment.
Decision making based on appropriate research and consultation to determine issue validity, compliance with legislation, policies, procedures, guidelines, directives and accepted practice and priority.
Performing tasks with minimal direct supervision and works independently to establish work priorities and resolve issues within established policies, procedures and directives.
Performing tasks under general supervision of Park Superintendent and works independently to establish work priorities and resolve issues within established government procedures, policies and directives.
Consultation with supervisor on matters of an unusual/potentially contentious nature or which may represent a contravention of policies, procedures or normal business practices.