Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To counsel drivers in improving driving methods and attitudes to promote safer roads in Ontario.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Assess physical and emotional abilities and attitudes related to driving, of drivers who have been referred to the program and make recommendations by :
- analyzing driver's records to obtain background information of driving habits, type of convictions, and accidents of driver to be interviewed;
- counseling problem drivers to fully understand the value and need of safe driving and to impress upon them their responsibilities to themselves and other road users;
- assessing during the course of the interview and by analysis of driver's record and road test score sheet, any factors that might account for poor driving habits (emotional or social attitudes, as well as physical conditions) and discussing these factors with the interviewee;
- deciding necessary recommended action, or if further action should be recommended i.e. may continue on probation, recommend defensive driving course or re-testing;and if driver's attitudes prove very negative recommend suspension for a specific length of time according to Ministry policies,
- explaining reasons for and conditions of cancellation of license and informing drivers of recommendations
- Submitting to Coordinator, Field Services detailed reports pertaining to interviews

2. Conducts group education sessions for Senior Drivers (over age 80) by:
- administering vision tests, knowledge tests and group education sessions;
- referring for road testing when required;
- upon completion of all renewal components, refers to Private Issuer to renew driver's licence.

3. Conducts interviews of: Novice drivers and drivers who have accumulated nine or more demerit points under the Ontario demerit point system to provide counselling to change adverse driving attitudes; of drivers applying for reinstatement; medical suspension reinstatements; unfavorable operating records and collision repeaters (three or more collisions) by:
- conducting pre-suspension hearings to elicit information not available from driver's file and submitting reports to Registrar of Motor Vehicles;
- interviewing applicants for reinstatement of driver's license to determine whether driver's attitude and need of a license merits the reinstatement of driving privileges; providing recommended action in a written report to Coordinator; examining collision repeaters by reviewing and discussing road test results as they relate to the errors drivers make that contribute to collisions
- analyzing and relating driving errors and driving patterns to driver's records and attitude and advising driver of corrective measures and defensive driving methods; recommending corrective measures on licence of those below required standards.
- conducting administrative reviews on behalf of the Registrar of Motor Vehicles

4. Identifying potential areas for improvement in the process of driver control, driver improvement and submitting suggestions for change by :
- initiating and maintaining contact with persons in related fields, such as enforcement officials, physicians, ;
- keeping statistics of persons interviewed according to location, pass/fail, fail to attend, action taken, etc.
- as assigned

Staffing and Licencing :

Valid Ontario Class G Drivers Licence with a minimum of 4 years driving experience and a good driving record.

Knowledge :

Job requires knowledge of legislation such as the Highway Traffic Act, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy and related legislation to assess driving records of drivers in accordance with legislation and obtaining documentation ensuring that the privacy of the individual is maintained. Job requires knowledge of Ministry policies and procedures and defensive driving techniques to counsel drivers to improve their driving by recommending training, demonstrating best practices. Job requires knowledge of the effect of medical conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes etc. as well as the medication impacts on the driving task to assess reinstatement of driving licenses or the risk of reinstating the license. Job requires knowledge of interviewing techniques to solicit information from clients when conducting counselling sessions to determine the fitness of drivers. Job requires knowledge of Ministry computers systems and the Ministry software platform to assess driver records to evaluate and interpret violations to assess status of driver's, to prepare written reports and correspond through electronic mail. Job requires advance oral French language skills.

Skills :

Job requires analytical skills to review and assess client information such as driving records, medical information against Ministry standards or requirements and provide direction and corrective action to improve driving records. Job requires evaluative skills to determine and recommend courses of action to rectify driving habits/patterns and promote road safety. Job requires interpersonal and oral communication skills to interview drivers and solicit information with regard to past driving record, medical conditions and inter-related conditions that may impact on the driver's ability to drive competently. Job requires written communication skills to prepare reports to substantiate reasoning for either continued suspension or reinstatement of driving privileges of drivers.

Freedom of Action :

Job requires working within legislation, regulations, Ministry standards, directives, and guidelines to assess driver performance and recommend corrective action to maintain road safety. Job requires conducting interviews with clients and selecting from a range of alternative solutions the appropriate recommendation for resolution. Supervisor reviews work for adherence to guidelines. Work is reviewed by supervisor for adherence to guidelines. Issues of a contentious nature are referred to the supervisor.