Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

Under the direction of the Coordinator, Wildlife Research Unit provide management and supervision to a rabies science technical team and associated contract staff. Responsible for providing operational supervision and direction to rabies operating and technical staff across the province. To assist the
Unit Coordinator in the management of the Unit as a member of the WRMS Management Team.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Manages and provides Leadership to a multi-disciplinary team of rabies technical staff including recruitment, determining training needs, scheduling, evaluation, approving merits, performance management, mentoring, attendance management, responding to grievances and labour relations issues, ensures workplace discrimination and harassment policy requirements are carried out including training and complaint handling.
2. Provides operational leadership and direction to rabies operations across the unit. This includes planning, coordinating and implementing alternative service delivery options for supplying requirements for rabies operations.
3. Liaise with Unit and Section staff at all levels to assist in preparation rabies research and control plan, developing and implementing the units operational work plan, managing assigned budget allocations and ensuring compliance with administrative guidelines. Prepares the unit-wide annual
work plan, provides supervision in revenue and cost recovery analysis and direction as it relates to revenue generation and operating efficiencies.
4. Coordinates budget submissions and alternate funding sources for the acquisition of vehicles and equipment and unit infrastructure needs, to ensure optimum use of available funding to deliver the quality and quantity infrastructure, including Fish and Wildlife Special Purpose Account funding, other revenue sources generated through partnerships e.g. Collaborative Research Agreements etc.
5. Implements projects and activities associated with science operations that are consistent with legislation, policies and procedures, Unit/Sectional work plans ensuring when applicable initiatives are screened and are compliant with the Environmental Assessment Act and the Environmental
Protection Act.
6. Implements the delivery of an Occupational Health and Safety Program that complies with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and other related legislation and standards, e.g. Internal and external operational audits.
7. Leads staff and/or Unit task teams in the identification, review, interpretation or development of science operational policies, procedures, standards and guidelines related to the Section science operations ( e.g. emergency plans, monitoring and/or assessment modelling techniques, unit operational budget reviews, and requirements for persons with disabilities).
8. Maintains strong communications and linkages with Sectional staff, Branch and other MNRF staff (e.g. Fish and Wildlife, Forestry, Regional Operations Division); other clients and ministries (MOHLTC, OMAFRA, Health Units) and partners to science operations are in compliance with
legislation, policies, procedures, provincial standards and guidelines while ensuring public/staff safety. Participates on Branch task teams for the development of policy and procedures for science operations, development and integration.
9. Provides science operational advice to the unit coordinator, peers, field staff, partners and clients, on policy and program initiatives and issues.
Identifies new policy, methodology, and infrastructure development and new equipment design needs required to support delivery of science operations (e.g. alternative energy and green initiatives, new technology and equipment).
10. Coordinates, assists and/or prepares a variety of documents, including business case proposals (e.g. revenue generation), operational plans, project planning proposals/status reports, etc. Assists with issues management within the unit, including preparing briefing notes/materials/presentations on sensitive or contentious issues, drafting communication responses to stakeholders.
11. Acts for the Unit Coordinator by participating on teams, attending meetings, and as required managing the Unit in the Coordinator's absence.

Staffing and Licensing :

N/A

Knowledge :

Knowledge of ministry/OPS policies, practices and procedures, collective agreements, relevant legislation and guidelines associated with human resources management with supervisory and managerial skills to effectively supervise/train/motivate staff and respond to labour matters. Knowledge of corporate strategic direction, existing resource management policies (e.g. Our Sustainable Future, Science and Research Strategic Plan, provincial and federal legislation (e.g. Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, Environmental Assessment Act, Environmental Protection Act, Occupational Health and
Safety Act, Endangered Species Act) and policy development procedures to supervise and provide direction to staff in the delivery of science operations and implementation of policies, standards, guidelines etc., that are consistent with current direction and legislative requirements by working with
individuals or teams and to oversee the delivery of the Occupational Health and Safety Program, including internal and external operational audits.
Broad knowledge of the effective rabies monitoring and control techniques of science operations; and Resource Management, including potential impact of science operations and capital on the natural environment; to provide operational supervision and direction to unit staff and provide
advice/interpretation of legislation and policy matters. Knowledge of all emergency planning and Health and Safety requirements to assist in developing/implementing building emergency plans and safety operation plans for the unit to ensure sectional continuity in the event of an emergency
and promotion of a safe and healthy workplace.
Knowledge of project management and OPS RFP policies and procedures and planning/coordination skills to provide advice/support to Unit Coordinators. Knowledge of project and time management techniques in order to supervise several simultaneous monitoring and assessment initiatives
and meet deadlines by setting out task lists, time lines and assigning staff as appropriate.
Knowledge of techniques and application of communication, consultation, facilitation and negotiation skills to obtain input to, develop the section wide annual work plan and to ensure staff and public safety. Strong verbal and written communication skills to liaise with both internal/external stakeholders
to represent the unit on sectional teams and develop a variety of materials such as business case, project proposals, briefing materials, correspondence and presentations.
Knowledge of analysis and evaluation techniques to support the provision of advice and to evaluate the effectiveness of policies, programs and management actions, by managing information. Effective analytical, problem-solving and oral/written communication skills are required to implement
science field operations policy issues by establishing Unit teams, communicating science operations policy problems to Unit Coordinators and analyzing the problem through discussion with unit technical staff and Unit Coordinators and recommending possible solutions.
Knowledge of applicable computer software applications (e.g. word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, database management) and corporate systems (WIN) to prepare a variety of written materials, to track projects and process specific HR information.

Judgement :

Work is performed under the general direction of the Unit Coordinator and is carried out within the framework of relevant legislation, ministry policies, procedures and guidelines. Position exercises high degree of independence in providing leadership and expert technical advice to Unit Coordinators
related to existing and new science operations, including identifying or responding to immediate policy and program issues and taking action to ensure delivery of a consistent rabies control and research program in a unit to minimize risk and avoid government criticism.
Judgement is required to obtain input from staff and stakeholders, draft briefing notes with recommended options for the Unit Coordinator, Section Manager, Director, ADM, Deputy Minister, or Minister, and implement decisions taken. Issues are province wide in scope and may involve key provincial and local client groups and include significant socio-economic impacts (e.g. multi-million dollar health and agricultural costs).
Sound judgement is required for considering all relevant factors needed for an ecosystem approach to science operations, including biological, physical, social and economic, applied through time and at various scales and drawing on the expertise from various disciplines as necessary.
Good judgement is required in evaluating the consequences of applying/revising guidelines, standards or new methodologies and techniques related to the unit/section science operations and ensuring that all projects/activities are consistent with objectives/principles of relevant legislation and policies.
Good judgement is exercised to ensure that effective relations are maintained with a variety of MNRF staff, industry representatives and other stakeholders, and to represent the Unit/Section in discussions, meetings and task groups. Judgement is required to evaluate policy and program
development priorities, identify science operational needs, and new development needs and make recommendations to unit coordinators based on an understanding of current branch direction and science operational issues.
Judgement is required to examine existing approaches and/or develop innovative solutions to science operation issues or policies.
Judgement is also required to evaluate the most effective means of communicating with Unit Coordinators, holding discussions with key clients, field staff and senior management and involving public interests in the development and implementation of new policy and program approaches to ensure the science operations continue to meet its mandate of supporting the various program areas of MNRF. Judgement is required to remain current on effective approaches with respect to new and evolving methodologies, equipment and ideas and are incorporated into the unit's science operations to
maintain a progressive environment through forums such as workshops, information packages and training sessions.
Judgement is exercised in the application of human resources management legislation, policies, practices and guidelines when managing/evaluating staff and dealing with employee issues.

Accountability - Programs :

Accountable for providing rabies science operational leadership and direction to operating and technical staff across the Province. Accountable for leading staff and/or task teams in the identification, review, interpretation or development of rabies science operational policies, procedures, standards
and guidelines related to the unit/section; and for providing science operations and resource management advice/materials on policy and program initiatives and issues.

Accountability – Personnel :

Directly manages 6 - 10 staff, including assigning work, hiring and training staff, evaluating performance, developing learning plans, responding to employee grievances at the first stage on behalf of the Employer and participating in further stages of the grievance process if grievance is unresolved.

Accountability - Finance and Materials :

Accountable for participating in the development/implementation of the unit's operating budget managing an annual rabies operations budget in excess of $4.5 million. Ensures that purchasing and procurement (RFP) meets government standards and policies

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

Inappropriate decisions may result in failure to comply with provincial legislation, policy and procedures which could result in a significant loss or damage to ecosystems and a loss of socio-economic benefits to Ontarians. Failure to supervise staff, science program priorities and budget allocations
will result in criticism by senior management, field staff and the public. Inadequate coordination at the unit level would result in poor use of government or other revenue, reducing the ministry's credibility as one of Ontario's leading science agencies with stakeholders and the general public.
Poor judgement and decision making could lead to ineffective management approaches, which jeopardize sustainability of provincial ecosystems, health and safety risks to public and staff, and related socio-economic benefits, negative stakeholder reaction, political criticism and significant loss of
potential government revenue.

Contact - Internal :

Internal Contacts: Regular contact with Senior Ministry officials, Provincial Program Managers, Branch Director, to obtain input, seek direction, recommend courses of action, and communicate progress of annual science operations capital projects. Regular contact with Section Manager, Unit Coordinators, unit staff to discuss local issues, for the development of Unit/Sectional annual work plan, business cases and provide support for the tender process and the resolution of science operational issues. Regular contact with staff and managers in other branch Sections and divisions
(Science and Research Branch, Regional Operations Division, Policy Division) to discuss/resolve issues around priorities and to discuss policy and management application.

Contact - External :

External Contacts: Regular contact with staff and managers of other ministries (MOECC, OMAFRA, MOHLTC, MOL, MGS,MTO), organizations, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Aboriginal Communities and Organizations, Conservation Authorities, and other stakeholder organizations such as
cottage associations and occasionally with the stakeholder groups to provide information and presentations and to meet with representatives of subcommittees regarding a variety of initiatives.