Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To lead and coordinate investigations within an assigned area of the province on matters primarily related to agricultural legislation (eg. Food Safety and Quality Act, Dead Animal Disposal Act, Livestock and Livestock Products Act). The incumbent is responsible to protect the human food chain, investigate activities of unlicensed cattle dealers, deadstock, fraudulent claims under various ministry grant and support programs. To provide advice, recommendations and identify problems and issues arising from the collection and analysis of intelligence; analyze options, prepare reports, and conduct, lead and coordinate investigations/special investigations/audits to address agricultural enforcement issues. To liaise with Legal Services Branch, Crown Attorneys and field investigators in preparing, assisting with and testifying in prosecutions. To provide customer service to internal and external clients.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Providing the lead role in program or area specific provincial and regional intelligence initiatives, investigations, and special investigations (e.g. meat, dairy, eggs, livestock, deadstock, farm products), primarily in a plain clothes capacity. Supporting Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) program areas through intelligence initiatives and special investigations, developing intelligence linkages, planning, advice and analysis.

2. Collecting, collating, evaluating and analyzing and disseminating intelligence data collected from Ministry staff, other provincial and federal enforcement agencies, informants, sources and external clients to identify emerging non-compliance trends and issues and making recommendations to improve enforcement activities, preparing strategic intelligence reports, establishing intelligence priorities and preparing collection plans. Assessing the relevancy of information by analyzing and computing quantitative and qualitative data obtained through diverse sources, both overt and covert, in order to gather reliable and objective information about individuals, groups, events and/or trends. This information must then be transposed to concise written and graphical analytical formats for appropriate dissemination.

3. Providing advice, coordination and assistance for investigations, audits, inspections and related legal matters (e.g. developing investigation project proposals, surveillance or covert enforcement, search warrants, standard audit procedures).

4. Planning, leading, assisting on and/or conducting overt, covert and special investigations, including participating on joint forces investigations/operations with other enforcement agencies (e.g. Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Ontario Provincial Police, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, Canada Border Services Agency) preparing legal reports, documents, obtaining search warrants and giving evidence in agricultural enforcement legislation (e.g. Food Safety and Quality Act, Milk Act, Livestock and Livestock Products Act, Dead Animal Disposal Act).

5. Ensuring the security and safety of undercover operators working on covert investigations and officers involved in mobile surveillance activities through the careful and secure management of information relating to project operations, ensuring staff involved understand policy/procedures for operations, reviewing project operations making modifications/adaptations to enable the project to achieve desirable results in a safe and effective manner; ensuring the security and safety of informants and information sources through using approved handling and dissemination techniques; evaluating and managing risks to informants while planning and coordinating enforcement projects involving confidential informant information.

6. Participating in the development of training plans and delivery of training, provide input to implement changes to legislation, policies, programs and procedures and participating on provincial/regional working groups to develop new program initiatives

7. Conducting investigative examinations, forensic or financial audits of all records relating to use and/or non-compliance by industry and individuals involved with agricultural related matters.

8 Participating in the prosecution of cases, ensuring that sufficient evidence has been collected, making recommendations to legal staff, assisting counsel and field officers with the preparation and presentation of evidence including drafting of charges and appearing as a witness.

9. Ensuring security, custody and proper dissemination of confidential ministry, branch and third party records; preventing unauthorized access to branch working areas, storage rooms and equipment in order to protect the integrity of the branch operations and evidentiary material under custody and control.

10. Reviewing, interpreting and assisting in the development of policy /procedures/legislation and auditing/inspection operations to ensure adherence to policy and procedures and provide advice to clients and programs in area of expertise.

11. In accordance with the working agreement between the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Natural Resources, engage in cross-over enforcement activities with Natural Resources enforcement staff in matters related to the protection of natural resources.

Managers have the right to assign additional duties.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.

Staffing and Licencing :

Valid Driver's License and Standard First Aid Certificate.

Appointment as a Conservation Officer. Appointments under food safety and other relevant agricultural legislation (Food Safety and Quality Act, Dead Animal Disposal Act, Livestock and Livestock Products Act, Health Protection and Promotions Act)

Annual recertification of use of force and firearms training. Federal appointments (e.g. Fisheries Officer, Game Officer, Peace Officer) and other class and legislated appointments (e.g. powers of Provincial Police Officer within Parks).

Knowledge :

Job requires thorough knowledge of agricultural practices, food safety principles, policies and procedures as it relates to licensed operations, and legislation (e.g. Food Safety and Quality Act, Dead Animal Disposal Act, Livestock and Livestock Products Act, Criminal Code of Canada) and related regulations and manuals including standards and guidelines to provide advice to clients, program staff and by analyzing data from industry and individuals and interpreting its impact, conducting enforcement audits/inspections and investigations by ensuring proper reporting of activities, investigating illegal sale of agricultural commodities and making recommendations on what further legal actions are warranted.

Job requires thorough knowledge of legal methods, techniques, procedures, relevant case law and precedents to collect intelligence information, conduct and/or direct undercover investigations, deliver specialized enforcement training and maintain data files by analyzing trends and enforcement statistics and developing training workshops to improve compliance.

Job requires knowledge of the rules of evidence, investigative techniques, search & seizure methods, arrest procedures and court procedures to prepare legal documents, collect evidence, lay charges, provide testimony in court and conduct undercover and surveillance operations.

Job requires thorough knowledge of accounting techniques and audit standards applicable to a wide variety of accounting and business systems as represented by the Canadian Chartered Accountants Association and the Institute of Internal Auditors in order to identify the areas requiring investigation, records and materials to be audited.

Job requires in-depth knowledge of investigative techniques and processes in order to determine the best methods by which to conduct further investigations.

Job requires thorough knowledge of surveillance and undercover techniques in order to investigate suspected violations of Ministry statutes and to obtain legally admissible evidence when the normal documentary evidence and associated investigative and audit techniques are not appropriate or available.Job requires thorough knowledge of the management, evaluation and analysis of intelligence data and processes in order to identify priorities for investigations and/or audit and to ensure the completeness and integrity of intelligence gathered and to ensure compliance with Freedom of Information and Privacy legislation.

Job requires knowledge of ministry, other agency and government databases and various software programs in order to identify areas requiring investigation and/or audit by consolidating and managing information gathered during investigations and audits; preparing analysis and working papers, schedules and reports and sharing complete, accurate data with other agencies.Job requires knowledge of ministry work program planning process to prepare and submit requests for funding, and to monitor and administer project and program expenditures as budget control officer.

Job requires thorough knowledge of worker responsibilities as outlined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Skills :

Job requires planning and coordinating skills to develop priorities, prepare work plans and coordinate operational field projects by soliciting input from staff, selecting staff and organizing task teams; to plan and coordinate concurrent projects (e.g. intelligence gathering operations, training initiatives) by identifying resources required, coordinate work of staff, consolidate work and input into finished project, develop project plans, audit proposals, and schedules; to plan and coordinate investigations, including the execution of search warrants, and/or audits and maintain lead responsibility for activities of team members in the collection of evidence during the course of an investigation, audit and/or inspection.

Job requires interpersonal skills to lead and/or coordinate provincial/regional special investigations and intelligence initiatives, liaise with other agencies and program areas, interview and/or interrogate suspects and witnesses, resolve conflicting views and develop consensus on project development; develop and present rationale which supports strategies for projects, training plans and audits to meet changing program requirements and participating on committees and working groups.

Job requires analytical skills to collect, evaluate and analyze information/evidence from a variety of sources, using a variety of methods and techniques (e.g. interviewing suspects, their legal and/or accounting representatives; witnesses, complainants and informants; analyzing financial and company records/documents/books) to develop a profile of alleged offenders from title searches, police departments, other government agencies, informants and associates; to analyze and interpret evidence in relation to relevant legislation/regulations, determine whether violations occurred and evaluate whether evidence is sufficient to warrant legal action and is sufficiently complete/accurate to achieve successful prosecution; to analyze, adapt or modify existing investigative techniques while conducting/coordinating enforcement activities such as surveillance and covert operations to protect the integrity of the projects and ensure safety of staff (e.g. by closely monitoring projects, reviewing policy and guidelines with staff); to analyze and evaluate new program and policy proposals, assess their feasibility and viability, estimate and forecast impacts on stakeholders, staff training needs and resource requirements (e.g. intelligence gathering operations, training initiatives, strategic analysis, assessing investigative evidence); to determine the nature of intelligence requests received and make decisions concerning the confidentiality of information requested to avoid release of restricted information.

Job requires investigative and analytical skills to identify over compliance levels and historical information by analyzing licensed plant and sales barn data from industry and individuals and interpreting its impact on the human food chain as well as adherence to various legislation.

Job requires problem solving skills to develop investigation and/or audit strategies suitable to specifics and nature of the case; adapt/modify to allow complications resulting from extensive/intricate efforts made to hide violations; to research, analyze and evaluate data (e.g. enforcement statistics, industry compliance reports and trends) to identify, recommend and implement solutions and recommended changes to outdated policy based on compliance staff input, conduct investigations to validate analysis of data and make recommendations for legal action, further investigation and/or provide strategic direction.

Job requires written communications skills to prepare and/or review strategic and tactical intelligence, investigation and audit reports, proposals for legislative or policy changes, technical and policy content for training plans, legal documents for investigations or court where precision in documenting evidence and findings is required for prosecutions; draft work plans and program activity reports.

Job requires oral communication skills to lead/participate on provincial committees, liaise with legal representatives, interview witnesses, suspects and their legal and/or financial representatives, present and explain interpretations of evidence in court as a material or expert witness, discuss and examine information with subjects being investigated and/or audited, discuss technical, legislative, audit standards, and policy issues related to protecting the human food chain and licensing requirements; briefing senior managers; discuss proposals for investigations and audits or changes to legislation/policy and providing input into compliance options vs. enforcement (e.g. Compliance Plans); to conduct training workshops on new/changed procedures and program activities.

Job requires administrative skills to recommend human and physical resource allocations in the development of work plans, project proposals, audit teams, and project how resources can/should be deployed to meet new/changing program activities.

Job requires physical and mental endurance skills to carry out a variety of enforcement activities in a stressful environment.

Job requires technical skills to set up, operate and maintain a variety of investigative equipment (i.e. specialized imaging, audio and tracking equipment).Job requires the physical skill and stamina to work in inclement weather for irregular hours, long periods, without normal rest, operate and maintain equipment. Under the direction of the supervisor, the incumbent generally establishes own work schedule for the requirements of the position and to carry out duties as assigned.

Freedom of Action :

Job requires providing project advice and recommendations to senior management and implementing undercover investigations and audits of companies according to program objectives, policy, guidelines and legislation (e.g. Food Safety and Quality Act and Dead Animal Disposal Act).

Job requires making decisions independent of supervisor based on analysis of intelligence, which could affect the protection of the human food chain, financial protection programs, and/or the safety of the public or officers, communicating to senior managers the action to be taken and at times when under pressure (e.g. during covert investigations or in presence of firearms) determining action to be taken (e.g. continue/cease investigation).

Work is evaluated by a performance system of annual targets set by supervisor and reviews of reports generated from the summaries of intelligence information and district and regional compliance plans. Job refers to supervisor only those issues which are complicated by legal, policy or political considerations. Work is performed as a team player in a team environment.