Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide operational enforcement of natural resources and public safety related legislation. To provide enforcement advice and assistance to ministry staff and the public involved in various regulated natural resource related activities. To provide customer service to internal and external clients.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Enforcing natural resource management and public safety related legislation (e.g. Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, Fisheries Act, Criminal Code of Canada, Crown Forest Sustainability Act, Public Lands Act).
2. Responding to violations of legislation by conducting investigations, gathering evidence, completing legal documents, acting as an agent on behalf of the Crown for court prosecutions, and providing testimony in court. Participating in undercover and special investigations. Conducting regular audits/inspections of resource users, licence issuers, commercial operators (e.g. trappers, aggregates companies), identifying, investigating, and reporting on instances of non-compliance (e.g. use of illegal fish nets), apprehending violators (e.g. night hunters and/or careless hunters), and laying charges as appropriate.
3. Working with other enforcement agencies (e.g. Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Ontario Provincial Police, Municipal Police, Fisheries and Oceans, U.S. Law Enforcement, Environment Canada Wildlife Enforcement Division and providing advice on enforcement of natural resource management related legislation, guidelines, policies and procedures.
4. Inputting daily enforcement activity and violation records into a computerized Ministry record management system, which stores information for monitoring, analysis, and evaluation of trends. Completing enforcement reports and related documentation, such as will-say statements, search warrant forms and Crown briefs.
5. Participating in and providing input into resource management programs (e.g. commercial fish harvesting, shoreline development, fisheries and wildlife habitat issues, fishing/hunting quotas). Liaising with ministry staff and various groups, (e.g. naturalists, fish and game clubs, commercial fish industry, Aboriginal Communities, agencies, forest industry, the public) to educate them regarding regulated resource programs.
6. Preparing and delivering presentations on Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Enforcement Program to client groups.
7. Coordinating the activities of other officers, Deputy Conservation Officers, or other staff who are carrying out investigations of potential violations that require a group effort concerning activities such as blitzes, fish runs, night hunting, and other natural resource activities and inputting into Operational Plans.
8. Purchasing supplies and equipment using a purchasing card (e.g. body wear, gasoline) and maintaining and securing government equipment (e.g. all-terrain vehicles, trucks, boats, restricted and other firearms, snowmobiles). Processing and storing seized property as evidence as per legislative and policy requirements (e.g. cars, boats, equipment).
9. 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. The incumbent shall report any hazards of which they are aware to their immediate supervisor.
10. Managers have the right to assign additional duties.

Staffing and Licencing :

- Valid Class G driver's licence
- Standard First Aid certification
- Pleasure Craft Operators Card
- Proof of having passed Ontario's Hunting Licence examination
- Proof of Canadian Firearms Safety Course certification

Appointment as a Conservation Officer is legally required to enforce specific resource management legislation.

Prior to appointment as a Conservation Officer, applicants will be required to undergo:
- Security clearance to the level appropriate to the position, and
- Psychological/physical assessments to determine suitability and fitness for the position.

This position requires an enhanced-level screening check under the OPS Employment Screening Checks Policy which includes a criminal record check (CPIC), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) check, Niche/RMS file check (Local Police Record check) and Credit (Equifax) check.

Knowledge :

Knowledge and understanding of enforcement provisions of natural resources management and other mandated legislation/regulations, policies (e.g. Fisheries Act, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, Crown Forest Sustainability Act, Public Lands Act and Provincial Offences Act).

Knowledge of Aboriginal Peoples-related case law, policies, procedures, guidelines and processes as outlined by the Ministry.

Knowledge of ministry resource management programs, in order to provide advice and information to the public and special interest groups; conduct audits and investigations and ensure compliance (e.g. firearms and ammunition allowed for hunting, nets allowed for sport and commercial fishing, types of nets and net sets used in the commercial fish industry, and limits on hunting/fishing of different species).

Knowledge of case law, rules of evidence, lawful searches, seizures, inspections, arrests, court procedures, investigation methods, and forensic evidence collection techniques in order to conduct investigations, prepare related legal documents, lay charges, provide testimony in court (e.g. species identification) and successfully prosecute violators.

Knowledge of computer software (e.g. ministry computerized reporting system) to enter and extract data.

Knowledge of safe operation/use of sport and commercial fishing equipment (e.g. firearms, archery) including the maintenance of equipment (e.g. ATVs, snowmobiles, boats, large vessels, net pullers, etc.) in order to safely handle, inspect and advise on regulations governing use to groups, (e.g. fish and game clubs, commercial fishermen).

Knowledge of the use of defensive weapons (e.g. sidearms, batons, oleoresin capsicum aerosol spray), and restraint techniques, to carry out enforcement duties, and restrain individuals if necessary, (e.g. use of force).

Knowledge of resource management practices such as identification of species and habitat requirements, fish and wildlife inventory techniques, and commercial harvesting, to provide information to public and interest groups, and provide input into resource management programs (e.g. commercial fishing/hunting quotas, licence conditions).

Knowledge of the Criminal Code of Canada and Charter of Rights and Freedoms to carry out peace officer responsibilities.

Job requires knowledge of wilderness survival skills to work safely alone in remote areas (e.g. orienteering, navigation and first aid).

Knowledge of audit and inspection processes and procedures to conduct audits and inspections of clients, such as commercial fishermen, licence issuers, commercial bait-fish establishments, commercial fur harvesters and dealers, big game outfitters and industrial resource extractors (e.g. timber harvest and pits and quarry extractions).

Knowledge of worker responsibilities as outlined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Skills :

Skills and abilities to work as a conservation officer including obtaining the legal appointment necessary to use the enforcement powers and authorities of the position, physical and psychological suitability and certification in firearms and use of force.
Skills and abilities to obtain Ministry of Natural Resources approved use of force qualification, which is subject to annual recertification (e.g. use of sidearm, shotguns, batons, oleoresin capsicum aerosol spray, and empty hand self-defense techniques).
If operating in a large marine environment, job requires skills and abilities to obtain:
- Marine Emergency Duties A3 (MED A3)
- Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP)
- Master Limited up to fifteen (15) gross tonnage for the purpose of Law Enforcement
- Restricted Radio Operator Certificate and Marine Qualification

Skills and abilities to successfully complete the Canadian Safety Council (CSC) Snowmobile Operators Course and the ATV Rider Course.
Skills and abilities to analyze and evaluate activities for compliance with natural resources management and other mandated legislation/regulations (e.g. Fisheries Act) by investigating complaints/violations.
Analytical skills to gather information and evidence by inspecting sites, interviewing witnesses or potential violators, consolidating and assessing information in relation to legislation/regulations and case law, identifying nature of violation or non-compliance and determining appropriate follow-up, (e.g. laying charges, issuing warnings, advising on regulatory requirements); to present evidence in court including reviewing and referring to case law, and in conducting audits of commercial operators and advising on procedures and standards required to ensure compliance.
Oral and written communication skills to provide information on provincial natural resources management programs, legislation, policies, and guidelines to public, user groups and other enforcement agencies, through patrol contacts, meetings and presentations at fairs, shows, conferences and schools; to conduct interviews to gather evidence and to provide testimony in court on evidence collected and observations made during course of investigation; and to complete legal documents, assist with Crown briefs, prepare occurrence reports, and letters in response to requests for information on various
programs.
Interpersonal and negotiating skills to reach a peaceful solution in volatile situations (e.g. arrest and seizing of evidence).
Interpersonal skills to promote acceptance, understanding and compliance with natural resources management programs and policies, when dealing with violators of related legislation/regulations, and when presenting information at trade shows, fairs and to various groups (e.g. fish and game clubs,
Ontario Commercial Fisheries Association, Aboriginal Communities and multi-cultural groups).
Planning and coordination skills to schedule own activities and time to conduct audits/inspections of commercial operators; to conduct investigations of complaints or potential violations within specific time frames; to follow up by preparing related reports, legal documents, attending courts, and to coordinate the activities of other officers, deputy conservation officers and/or staff who are carrying out investigations of potential violations which require a group effort (e.g. activities such as night hunting, fish runs, road checks).

Freedom of Action :

Working within OPS policies, directives and procedures, including those outlined in ministry enforcement policies and procedures manual, and legislation/regulations governing natural resources management, (e.g. Fisheries Act, Fish Inspection Act, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, Crown Forest Sustainability Act, Criminal Code of Canada and Provincial Offences Act).
Making decisions in locations away from manager by determining what enforcement response is required when dealing with violations of legislation (e.g. laying charges, issuing warnings, issuing orders, making seizures, conducting searches and inspections) and determining whether to arrest, use physical intervention or lethal force.
Identifying instances of non-compliance when conducting regular audits/checks of natural resource users and commercial operators and determining appropriate follow-up, (e.g. whether to provide advice on proper procedures, issue warnings, revoke of licences).
Accurately recording activities through updates to ministry records management system, which provides information on officer activities, charges laid, where violations occur, contacts made and equipment used.
Referring non-routine problems such as investigations involving issues and resources receiving media attention, complaints, search warrants, workload and patrolling problems in work unit area to supervisor/manager.