Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To promote understanding, co-operation and participation in MNRF's sustainable resource management programs with Indigenous people, non-Indigenous communities and other resource management users.
To provide advice, plan and lead Indigenous programs and initiatives in a designated geographic area; to act as the ministry representative in fulfilling the Crown's duty to consult (Section 35 of the Constitution) for land use and resource management and lead or participate in issue negotiation with Indigenous communities/associations.
To assist in the development and delivery of community outreach initiatives to non-Indigenous communities.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Identifying, planning, promoting and co-ordinating partnership opportunities with Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and stakeholders focusing on resources management initiatives within designated geographic areas.
2. Advising, informing, facilitating and consulting with resource users, general public, First Nations' governments, tribal councils, Metis Councils,
Municipal Councils and staff through a variety of methods such as community specific consultation strategies, meetings, phone calls, correspondence to promote participation, understanding and co-operation in MNRF's land use and sustainable resource management programs (e.g. Forest, Wildlife and Fisheries Management planning, Land and Road Use Strategies) while fulfilling the Crown's duty to consult.
3. Providing advice, promoting and assisting in the planning of Indigenous training initiatives and economic development opportunities across a designated geographic area.
4. Providing input and leadership during negotiations and in the preparation of land use and resource management plans to ensure the consideration of Indigenous interests (e.g. Forest Management Plans, Land Use Strategies) and fostering input from communities (Indigenous and non-Indigenous);
representing ministry position in resource management negotiations with Indigenous communities/organizations and non-Indigenous communities.
5. Preparing budget submissions and tracking expenditures for Indigenous programs and initiatives with Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.
6. Providing issues management support by keeping current on Indigenous governance, summarizing background material; monitoring and preparing summaries of media coverage of issues, events and response to communication initiatives. Researching, evaluating and preparing press releases on ministry initiatives and activities, issue sheets, briefing notes, articles, reports, newsletters, correspondence and background materials, which requires converting technical/specialized information and terminology into plain language for public distribution.
7. Co-ordinating and arranging delivery of a variety of resources and support services in preparation for delivery of land use and resource management information, public awareness or preparation for negotiations and when organizing special events and conferences (e.g. preparation of information
packages and media kits, room arrangements, schedules, set up of displays and exhibits.)
8. Exploring issues, problems or requests (e.g. public request for information, road access for resource users, Indigenous land claims). Analysing and researching information and data: applying policies (e.g., Indigenous Policy), procedures and directives including long term direction (e.g. Resource Management use strategies), to determine solutions (road use strategies), identifying common interests (e.g. facilitating meetings) and providing response/conclusion to media, staff, Indigenous communities, general public and stakeholders.
9. Working independently, leading, consulting and facilitating meetings with MNRF staff, resource users, general public, non-Indigenous communities and Indigenous communities, to reach consensus or recommend decisions in MNRF's sustainable land use and resource management programs (e.g., Land
use and road strategies, Forest Management long-term management direction) by providing advice, information, direction based on knowledge of legislation, ministry guidelines, procedures, practices, policies.
10. Undertaking comprehensive documentation and tracking of contacts and liaison with communities and individuals on land use and resource management planning; ensuring that the required reports and documentation are produced and available (e.g. forest management planning record of
Indigenous and public consultation).
11. Other duties: Management has the right to assign additional duties.
The incumbent shall, while in the workplace, conduct themselves in compliance with the Occupational Health & Safety Act, any workplace practices as directed by their immediate supervisor and in accordance with the IRS as outlined in the Health and Safety Act.

Staffing and Licencing :

Valid Ontario Class "G" Driver's Licence to attend meetings in communities.

Knowledge :

Knowledge of resource management principles, practices, statutes, policies and procedures and of ministry and government resource management policies, programs, operations and initiatives to consult with staff/clients and direct and facilitate meetings with Indigenous people, non-Indigenous communities, other resource management users and staff to explain planning process, solicit input, participation and co-operation in implementing MNRF's sustainable resource management programs (e.g., Forest, Wildlife and Fisheries Management Planning, Land and Road Use Strategies) within designated geographic areas.
Knowledge and understanding of Indigenous culture, social and economic issues and Indigenous case law, with an understanding of communities within and immediately adjacent to the designated geographic area, to provide advice and input into MNRF's land use and resource management plans to ensure consideration of Indigenous issues and opportunities (e.g., land claims and economic development), lead/facilitate consultations to fulfil the duty to consult and to market Indigenous training initiatives (e.g., Indigenous Youth Program).
Good understanding of community development principles to provide advice, promote and assist in the planning of Indigenous training initiatives and economic development opportunities.
Knowledge of written communication practices, procedures and guidelines for writing press releases, articles, Minister's briefing notes, letters and information packages.
Knowledge of conflict resolution, negotiation and mediating techniques and best practices to facilitate meetings, explain and consult with Indigenous people, non-Indigenous communities and other resource management users and work at resolving issues through a consultative and cooperative approach.
Knowledge of personal computers and word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, email and internet/intranet applications to prepare information packages, newsletters, reports and press releases, use internet and e-mail.

Skills :

Analytical, evaluative and problem solving skills to research and analyze information and data to respond to requests, issues and/or concerns, apply policies (e.g. Indigenous Policy), procedures and directives to determine/recommend solutions; prepare background materials for negotiations, briefing notes/other materials; and prepare summaries of media coverage of issues, events and response to communication initiatives to provide issues management support.
Leadership skills to work with wide range of stakeholders with differing interests and cultures (e.g. Indigenous communities, non-Indigenous communities, general public, resource users, First Nations' governments, municipal councils) to facilitate cooperation, joint projects and resource planning.
Demonstrated oral communication, consultation and influencing skills to consult, advice and explain ministry resource management principles/programs and objectives; to promote participation, understanding and cooperation in MNRF's land use and sustainable resource management programs; and provide direction, information and explanations of ministry initiatives and activities when responding to public/client inquiries.
Written communication skills to produce media releases on ministry initiatives and activities, issue sheets, briefing notes, reports, correspondence and background material.
Interpersonal, conflict resolution, negotiation and mediation skills to facilitate meetings, to reach consensus or recommend decisions in MNRF's sustainable land use and resource management programs with internal/external stakeholders, explain and consult with Indigenous people and other resource management users and represent ministry position in resource management negotiations with Indigenous communities/organizations and non-Indigenous communities.
Administrative skills to prepare work plans /budgets; provide financial control of budget by tracking expenditures.
Ability to prioritize, organize, coordinate and complete work in given time frames.

Freedom of Action :

Working independently under the leadership of the District Manager, Job requires working in accordance with Indigenous case law as well as legislation, ministry guidelines, procedures, practices, and policies relating to resources management.
Job requires advising, involving and updating the District Manager, District Supervisors, Area Enforcement Manager, Regional Liaison Officer and others as required of the Crown's duty to consult, progress of discussions; providing issues management support by researching, analysing information/data, interpreting policy and recommending resolution strategies; ensuring the consideration of Indigenous and non-Indigenous community interests (e.g. land claims, economic development opportunities) in the preparation of plans (e.g. Land Use Strategies, Forest Management Plans) and in promoting and assisting in Indigenous training initiatives.
Job requires advising, facilitating and consulting with variety of clients/organizations (resource users, First Nations' governments, tribal councils, Metis Councils, Municipal Councils, non-Indigenous communities and Indigenous communities) through a variety of methods to promote participation, understanding and co-operation in MNR's land use and sustainable resource management programs; in coordinating the preparation and delivery of land use and resource management information to raise public awareness or prepare for negotiations and when organizing special events and conferences; and preparing press or releases on ministry initiatives and activities, issue sheets, briefing notes, articles, reports, newsletters.
Job refers to the supervisor/manager problems/issues or conflicting opinions between internal and external clients (e.g. land use and resource management initiatives) which may potentially involve the Minister; situations that are not covered by ministry policies or normal operating procedures are reviewed and recommended course of action is submitted to the District Manager.