Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

Under the general supervision of the Forest Research and Monitoring Science Coordinator, and in a team environment, to lead a research program that examines multi-scale cumulative effects of Ontario's natural resource policies and management practices on ecosystem patterns and processes including consideration of environmental change to ensure natural resource sustainability.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Designing, coordinating and conducting a diverse and comprehensive research program in the area of cumulative ecological effects of resource policies and management practices and environmental change, to support the sustainable use of natural resources by:
• assessing research needs and priorities through consultation with MNRF policy and management sections, resource industry, provincial and federal agencies, and other external partners consistent with MNRF strategic directions;
• leading and conducting collaborative multi-disciplinary integrative research on the cumulative effects of resource management on terrestrial ecosystems at multiple temporal and spatial scales, and liaising/consulting with researchers from government, universities and other agencies, resource specialists and managers, policy developers, and stakeholders;
• identifying specific research problems (including detecting and assessing emerging issues), and conceiving, designing and implementing research projects, developing and testing research hypotheses by applying scientifically rigorous methods to collect and analyze data, articulating the applied use of findings, and developing applied decision-support tools;
• publishing research findings in the primary literature and presenting/communicating results to a broad range of audiences;
• providing relevant and timely scientific results and advice for natural resource and forest policy, program development and management decisions (e.g. identifying risks, thresholds, implications of climate change)
• acquiring an adjunct faculty appointment at one or more universities and co-supervising graduate students; providing mentoring, peer review, and research proposal review support;
• developing collaborations with external partners to supplement internal funding and expertise to address MNRF science priorities; preparing budget submissions and grant applications, and meeting MNRF reporting requirements;
• directing and training technical and professional staff and graduate students to implement the research program, including serving as a Supervisor under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

2. Transfers knowledge to clients by:
• publishing in scientific journals, newsletters, annual reports, technical reports, and other media;
• presenting at scientific meetings, workshops, training courses, seminars and other forums;
• ensuring policy, planning and operations staff are aware of scope and results of work (informal liaison);
• providing expert scientific advice and recommendations to MNRF management and staff and to external agencies and parties as required;
• acting as spokesperson for the MNRF as required, and representing MNRF at meetings, and on provincial or national committees.

3. Providing expert science advice to enable policy and management practices to be based on best available science by:
• participating in the development of policy and management practices and evaluation of their effects and effectiveness;
• supporting land use planning initiatives, where relevant;
• fostering linkages to policy, management planning, and operations staff and other business areas.

4. The incumbent shall, while in the workplace, conduct themselves and ensure others under their supervision are in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and any workplace practices as directed by their immediate supervisor.

Staffing and Licensing :

• Post-graduate degree in quantitative terrestrial ecosystem science discipline with specialization to the Ph.D. level or equivalent.
• Valid driver's license

Knowledge :

• expert knowledge of terrestrial ecosystem ecology, principles and practices as they relate to natural resource management, in order to conduct advanced and authoritative research typically acquired through the completion of a post-graduate degree in a related discipline from an institution of recognized standing;
• advanced knowledge of quantitative ecology, landscape ecology, ecosystem function, ecosystem services, and spatial statistics relevant to terrestrial ecosystem ecology and cumulative effects in order to conduct authoritative scientific research;
• advanced knowledge of research methodologies, including advanced statistical analyses and quantitative modeling, as well as the procedures and approaches required to initiate, design, conduct, and publish research;
• advanced understanding of remotely sensed spatial data of terrestrial ecosystems and their use in pattern analyses and process modeling and, broad scale spatial pattern assessments
• familiarity with temperate, boreal and far north terrestrial ecosystems and natural resource management
•experience with consultation and participatory decision making typically acquired through experience with conducting research in a team environment.
• knowledge of worker and supervisor responsibilities as outlined in the OH&S Act

Skills :

• demonstrated ability to conduct and apply advanced scientific research, publish in primary scientific literature, collaborate with academic and other peers to conduct scientific research
• planning and coordination skills to develop and maintain complex multi-year research programs, project management skills to manage a research program towards successful completion on time and within budget;

• effective oral communication skills to articulate highly complex information at an audience-appropriate level and to understand and respond to MNRF direction and client needs and priorities;

• effective written communication skills to prepare scientific reports, journal papers, technical notes, and other articles for a variety of technical and non-technical audiences;

• advanced reasoning/problem solving skills to formulate testable hypotheses and design a multi-year research program to address those
• strong technical/analytical skills to plan and perform advanced statistical analyses and develop simulation models
• demonstrated effective group leadership/interpersonal skills to oversee research and transfer programs and direct assigned staff; to work with provincial and national committees, to train other staff in advanced methods and to generate positive interactions with co-workers and clients.
• Effective interpersonal skills to foster a diverse network of collaborators

Freedom of Action :

Job leads a research program and provides scientific expertise to the Ministry, collaborating agencies and external partners. Job recommends research objectives, assesses conclusions and identifies implications of research for Ministry long-range planning and policies with specific regard to the human dimensions of sustainable natural resource management. Job decides on experimental design and methods of data collection and analysis for research studies and develops conclusions and recommendations that are authoritative. Job exercises considerable latitude in making decisions within the limits of Ministry objectives, policies, or practices. Job refers to FRMS Science and Research Coordinator in relation to changes to work plans and budgets, reporting on staff problems/issues, and accomplishment of research and transfer objectives. Results are reviewed for overall adherence and effectiveness within context of Ministry priorities.