Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide program management, leadership and direction to the Mineral Exploration & Development Program including development and delivery of Operational Plans, practices and guidelines to meet Government, Ministry, and Branch objectives and priorities.

Represents MNDM's Mineral Development & Lands Branch interests on intra-/inter- ministerial policy and operational items.

Promotes prospecting, staking and exploration for the development of mineral resources in a responsible manner with the recognition of existing Aboriginal and treaty rights by providing information, advice, and assistance to Aboriginal & Métis peoples, industry, government agencies, and to the public.

Provides professional, technical, management and analytical support to the Director of Mineral Development and Lands Branch throughout various phases of the mining sequence.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Reporting to the Director of Mine Rehabilitation (Director of Mineral Development and Lands Branch), this is a key position to the administration of the Ontario Mining Act. The position acts province wide.

1.Plans, organizes and manages the program to administer permitting regime associated with mineral exploration and development pursuant to the Mining Act. Ensures technical, environmental and legal requirements are met and that related annual business plan goals and objectives are met. Makes significant contributions toward developing policy, procedures and legislative amendments necessary to provide fair and consistent administration of the Mining Act.

2. Develops and implements short/long-range programs and methodology in support of Mining Act, Ministry Business Plans, and Corporate and Divisional objectives. Has a matrixed management role related to compliance activities including site inspection, investigation and enforcement.

3. Manages administrative and professional/technical staff through the development of objectives and guidelines and the identification of HR requirements to meet program objectives; makes decisions on recruitment, merit increases, training needs, performance appraisals, disciplinary recommendations etc; provides leadership to foster high performance in a change environment. Plans and manages material and financial resources for work group.

4. Develops new policies and procedures for the enhancement & implementation of the ministry's mineral exploration and development program by making recommendations and participating in committees both internal and external to the Ministry. Participates in activities/committees relating to matters of a strategic or corporate nature.

5. Responsible for the provision and on-going enhancement of customer services to internal/external clients through the application of Quality Service Standards, guidelines, directives etc. in a continuous improvement environment.

6. Accountable for information management, system integrity and support with respect to the Exploration and Development Information Management system.

7. Builds partnerships and ensures linkages between Ministry and numerous diverse parties, e.g. provincial, federal, municipal governments, private sector proponents (senior corporate management to prospectors); industry associations; NGO's, First Nations, Métis and others to explain, defend and promote legislation and Ministry policy and to foster cooperation in achieving regulatory compliance and in developing new concepts and standards for improvements in policies, standards and legislation. Represents Ministry on interministry or external working groups/committees. Responds to media or MPP's on highly contentious issues related to mineral exploration and development, site mine rehabilitation, public health and safety and environmental protection as required.

8. Provides issue management support through development of appropriate communication tools (e.g. Briefing/issues notes, presentations etc.), to ensure Sr. Management is apprised of issues, options and risks associated with proposed solutions. Carries out effective management of issues by facilitating consultation between exploration and development proponents and Aboriginal peoples. Facilitates dispute resolution and makes recommendations for appeals of decisions.

9. Incumbent shall work in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and its regulations and any workplace practices as directed by the Employer; ensure employees know their roles and responsibilities under the OHSA, and have job descriptions and performance development plans (PDP's) that reflect appropriate performance requirements; ensure that equipment, materials and protective devices are provided, maintained and used as required in the OHSA and Regulations; ensure that a healthy and safe workplace is provided to employees through proactive hazard recognition, evaluation and control; ensure that workers take precautions to protect the health and safety of themselves and others by complying with such acts, codes, policies, procedures or accepted workplace practices as may be appropriate; advise workers of any hazards, and any actual and potential danger in the workplace and the required precautions, of which the supervisor is aware; ensure that where work is not carried out by the ministry, the ministry recognizes and manages any health and safety duties as an owner, employer, or constructor as defined under the OHSA; respond in a timely manner to health and safety concerns raised by the employees; conduct an initial investigation into a work refusal under the OHSA; where appropriate in the circumstances, apply or recommend discipline up to and including dismissal, in response to safety infractions; consider health and safety in hiring decisions for positions with supervisory responsibilities; investigate a work related accident.

Staffing and Licensing :

n/a

Knowledge :

Knowledge of mineral exploration, and mineral/mine development field normally acquired through a degree or diploma and/or several years of related experience.

Knowledge of mining methods and practices, an understanding of the mine sequence and mine evaluation to effectively administer a regulatory regime for mineral exploration and development.

Knowledge of and/or experience with Ontario government policies related to mining resources and environment to effectively and fairly administer and make decisions with respect to site rehabilitation, client advisory services and interministerial collaboration.

Knowledge of aboriginal communities and aboriginal issues relating to the mineral industry.

Extensive knowledge of the Mining Act, the Environmental Protection Act and other mine-related legislation and issues necessary to provide effective and accurate information and advice to internal and external clients and Minister or Minister staff on various functions, activities and initiatives related to mineral exploration and development and its application to address public policy priorities and societal needs in general.

Knowledge/understanding of policies/practices/procedures/agreements associated with HR to effectively manage staff and staff relations; operational knowledge of WIN.

Knowledge of OPS budget process and financial management to administer operational and capital budgets and to provide direction and project management for the exploration and development program.

Exceptional oral/written communication skills to communicate effectively with government/mining/court
officials media/MPP's and public interest groups or individuals.

Strong negotiation skills for negotiating resolution of contentious issues with senior corporate officers and government officials, First Nations/Métis etc.

Good knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations and of the MBS Health and Safety Directive and other corporate and ministry specific health and safety policies and programs.

Knowledge of any potential or actual danger to health or safety in the workplace.

Familiar with the ministry work-related accident reporting process and the injury management strategy.

Judgement :

Work is completed under general supervision of the Director of Mine Rehabilitation (Director, Mineral Development and Lands Branch), within the framework of related legislation and OPS policies/ guidelines related to mining resources and the environment. There is access to legal practitioners and professional/technical support. The position exercises judgement in independently leading a field operational program in the regulation of mineral exploration and development which are critical to Ontario's economy. Considerable judgement is exercised in developing and implementing procedural direction and policy for mineral exploration and development, ensuring consistency in program delivery and that program goals and objectives are met.

Judgement is exercised in providing technical evaluation advice and guidance to proponents, staff and others regarding the permitting regime associated with mineral exploration and development.

Judgement and diplomacy are essential in negotiations between client needs and operational
capacity or between Ministries where inter-ministry issues have the potential to become highly political.

Judgement in consulting and facilitating negotiations between industry and First Nations/Métis communities is critical. Position exercises judgement in dealing with media, other jurisdictions, stakeholders, general public, and aboriginal peoples and to provide technical direction, coordination and supervision to staff.

Accountability - Programs :

Accountable to minimize the impacts of activities associated with mineral exploration, development and to safeguard public health and safety and the environment, through the correct administration of the regulatory requirements, the technical quality of advisory services, documentation and recommendation of regulatory approvals. Accountable for initiating corrective action or enforcement action to correct public health and safety or environmental hazards.

Accountability – Personnel :

Manages a group of 3 field units consisting of 3 supervisors, 17 exploration and development staff, 1 clerical staff, Provides matrixed management to 9 technical compliance staff.

Accountability - Finance and Materials :

Responsible for resource utilization and budgetary management for work unit; responsible for project planning. Responsible for operational program budget.

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

Decisions related to Aboriginal information sharing, consultation and mineral sector activities will affect mineral sector competitiveness and may implicate the Ontario Government in a legal court case. Decisions and representations about the nature, and value of exploration and mineral development at inter-ministry tables, political tables, or public tables may result in alienation of land rendering if unavailable to mineral exploration, may alienate the Ontario Geological Survey from further invitation to participate at such a table and may contribute to conflict if the information style is adversarial. Errors in judgement may result in alienation of First Nation/Métis communities and increase issues between exploration and development companies. Consequences could lead to lost investment potential or lost opportunity for the province of Ontario. Uninformed or technically incorrect or misleading advice may mislead a potential investor, contribute to the loss of Branch credibility.

Contact - Internal :

Frequent contact with Ministry officials in regional/head office situations, senior executive councils (e.g. MEC, Policy Committee), to provide advice and guidance and to exchange information. Frequent contact with senior officials of other Ministries to ensure effective mining related legislation, to obtain/exchange information or to participate in joint advisory activities or other joint projects. Represent Ministry on inter-ministerial committees related to exploration and development.

Contact - External :

Frequent contact with mining industry officials, municipal officials, Aboriginal/Métis people and associations, Federal Agents, technical consultants, vendors, layers, media, Non-Government Agencies (NGO's) and general public to provide information, advice or recommendations. Occasional contact with quasi-judiciary parties for environmental or Mining Act hearings. Occasional contact with foreign officials
either in Ontario or abroad.