Job Specification
Position Title:
Water Management Policy and Program Advisor
Job Code:
5A008 - ProgPlanEval05
Purpose :
To lead and coordinate the development, implementation and maintenance of provincial policies and procedures related to dam safety, water management planning for dams and the administration of the Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act.
To provide policy advice on matters related to the wise management of water resources and related infrastructure, and to support capacity building and partnership initiatives.
To support the other natural resource management policy and program development priorities of the Crown Forests and Lands Policy Branch.
Key Responsibilities :
1. Program and Policy Analysis and Development:
Leads and/or coordinates research project teams comprised of ministry and industry staff on matters related to dam safety, water management planning for dams, administration of the Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act and related legislation and to develop technical and operational policies, procedures and programs.
Develops project plans; provides technical advice to staff; ensures completion of projects to deliverables; and provides status reports for management.
Prepares project reports; analyzes data; and maintains computerized databases of project data and information.
Makes recommendations for policy and legislative development that impact water management and dam infrastructure in the province: identifies policy requirements and develops recommendations regarding policies, procedures and guidelines; contributes to program design; prepares directives; and provides input into related strategic business planning.. Conducts debriefings with industry clients.
Monitors program and policy initiatives at federal and provincial levels to ensure consistency and strategic alignment between ministry and government strategic objectives.
2. Partnership Development:
Maintains relationships with other ministries, agencies, industry representatives, and non-governmental organizations, to obtain stakeholder input to policy and project development.
Provides advice and leadership to water management and dam infrastructure related committees to ensure that ministry concerns are given consideration.
Supports capacity building efforts, working in cooperation with aboriginal communities, tribal councils, municipal governments, industry and NGOs, as well as other ministry divisions and government ministries.
3. Issues / Communications:
Provides technical and operational advice to staff and industry clients related to water management and dam infrastructure policies, procedures and processes, and communicates government directions to ensure consistent policy interpretation.
Researches, investigates and assesses contentious files, and identifies and resolves water management and dam infrastructure issues. Prepares briefing notes, contentious issues and house notes, communications plans, correspondence and other communications products.
Provides advice and training to staff and clients related to dam safety, water management planning for dams, administration of the Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act and related legislation, and advice regarding communication tools (internet, manuals).
Knowledge / Skill :
Knowledge of and skills in:
Policy and program development principles and techniques and government decision making processes to lead and/or coordinate the development of provincial policies and programs related to dam safety, water management planning for dams, administration of the Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act and related legislation.
Relevant federal and provincial legislation, government water management and dam infrastructure policies, provincial and ministry strategic directions, resource management policies and practices; to provide information/ advice to stakeholders and partners; to conduct debriefings with industry clients; and to ensure that ministry and government objectives and directions are aligned.
Research and program evaluation techniques to lead research project teams related to water management and dam infrastructure; to investigate issues; and to conduct analysis of options and solutions.
Project management to: coordinate research projects; develop project plans, and deliver operational and technical policies and programs to standards and timelines.
Oral and written communications to prepare detailed technical reports, proposals, briefing notes, communications, and presentations, as well as to respond to issues, consult with and provide advice to stakeholders.
Standard software programs and tools to research and prepare own project and presentation materials, and to maintain project data.
Interpersonal / Influencing Skill :
Persuasion and negotiation skills to resolve issues and disputes with stakeholders, governments and other organizations having opposing views related to dam safety, water management planning for dams, administration of the Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act and related legislation.
Consultation and facilitation skills to work with ministry staff, other ministries, agencies, industry, NGOs and various committees, to provide technical policy and program advice, and to cooperate in policy and program development.
Presentation skills to provide training and make presentations to staff, industry clients, and other stakeholders.
Analyzing / Problem Solving Skill :
Analytical and problem-solving skills to:
Plan research projects related to the wise management of water resources and related infrastructure, and ensure delivery of results to ministry standards and timelines.
Interpret/apply policies, procedures and legislation to ensure legislative compliance and alignment with strategic objectives in the sector.
Research, investigate, and assess all relevant information to identify key issues regarding dam safety, water management planning for dams, administration of the Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act and related legislation, and investigate files dealing with contentious issues.
Identify and resolve issues with industry clients and stakeholders related to the wise management of water resources and related infrastructure.
Assess the implications of technical advice and recommendations, e.g., legal and financial liability for the province; impact on government water management and dam safety/risk analyses.
Decision Making / Responsibility :
Responsible for:
Developing and delivering operational and technical provincial policies, procedures and programs to government standards, funding levels, and timelines.
Planning and leading projects to develop policy and program recommendations that support provincial/ministry strategic objectives for the wise management of water resources and related infrastructure.
Leading and supporting engagement related to dam safety, water management planning for dams, administration of the Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act and related legislation, and conducting debriefings with industry clients.
Identifying issues requiring policy response within broad branch policy/program directions.
Has latitude to make recommendations for: policy and legislative development and/or changes that impact dam safety, water management planning for dams, administration of the Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act and related legislation.
Decisions are guided by relevant legislation, provincial and ministry strategic directions, policies, procedures and practices related to water management and dam infrastructure.
Contacts / Stakeholder :
Ministry senior management to provide information, respond to issues, submit recommendations related to water management and dam infrastructure.
Federal/provincial ministries, agencies, industry representatives/clients, municipal governments, and non-governmental organizations, including aboriginal communities, to communicate/share information, develop joint guidance documents, obtain stakeholder input to policy and project development, and to build key relationships.
Internal water management and dam infrastructure related committees to provide leadership and advice, and to ensure that ministry concerns are given consideration.
- Staff and management in other ministry divisions to discuss policy matters.
Guidance / Supervision :
Provides advice and recommendations to senior management on water management technical and operational policy and management of water resources and related infrastructure, and to internal committees on technical and operational policy.
Provides advice and training to staff and clients related to dam safety, water management planning for dams, and administration of the Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act and related legislation, and advice regarding communication tools (internet, manuals).
Demands / Pressures :
Work Demands :
Occasionally required to respond to immediate requests for information such as briefing and issues notes.
Mental / Sensory :
Frequently required to concentrate intently when drafting documents or listening at stakeholder and project meetings.
Conditions / Environment :
Work is performed in a typical office environment.