Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To conduct investigations, inspections and research and report on all animal welfare cases reported in the designated area/region, adhering to the Ontario Animal Welfare Operations Unit operational policies and procedures throughout the province.
To provide technical expertise, promote compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements, coordinate and lead program delivery, development, and compliance and enforcement for animal health and welfare programs.
To undertake objective, fair, thorough, timely and unbiased investigations as well as reactive/proactive inspections in accordance with the Animal Welfare Standard Operating Procedures of the Ministry of the Solicitor General.
To provide leadership and coordination in developing briefings or other reports as necessary, presenting evidence in Court, recommending action and briefing as necessary on all Animal Welfare offences or infractions.
To engage stakeholders including the public, police services, businesses, other ministries, vets, humane societies and animal welfare advocates to collaborate on animal welfare enforcement.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Program Delivery
- Conducts inspection, compliance and enforcement activities under provincial and federal animal health and welfare statutes and regulations.
- Coordinates inspection, compliance and enforcement activities of commercial and residential owners of animals and in conjunction with stakeholders in the animal welfare industry including, veterinarians, government stakeholders, other ministries and levels of government, police services.
- Handles highly sensitive issues with a diverse set of stakeholders and ability to de-escalate situations and/or call the appropriate agencies for support (eg; police) based on assessment of conditions, environment and issues at hand.
- Manages highly sensitive, urgent issues pertaining to the health and welfare of animals on short notice. Adheres to procurement and financial policies set out by the OPS in retaining sheltering and vet services for animals on an urgent and long-term basis.
- Prepares reports, correspondence and case files for investigations, inspections and as required by senior management.
- Provides technical expertise related to animal welfare and interpretation of animal welfare statutes, standards, codes of practice and protocols.
- Works in a safe manner and in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations.
- Establishes partnerships with service delivery providers and with colleagues to undertake inspections and enforcement activities.
- Ensure compliance with the licensing and registration system governed by the Province as well as alignment with MOUs/agreements with stakeholders.
- Conducts compliance checks on a routine basis to address non-compliance with the legislative/regulatory framework in a timely and effective manner,
- Issues orders, removes animals and lays charges under Provincial and federal legislation and offers support for charges under the Criminal Code of Canada, prepares Crown briefs and where adequate evidence is present, prepares information to obtain a warrant and have signed by the Justice of the Peace. Collects evidence effectively and takes notes to support investigations.
- Assessing the scope and determining the methodology needed to carry out an efficient inspection that may lead to further investigation , including the need to evaluate the demand for assistance and generally determining what evidence is required and who should be interviewed.
- Preparing comprehensive reports of inspections/investigations and, as may be required, to make recommendations regarding action to be taken regarding the Investigation.
- Liaising with police services, Ministry Corporate areas and other governments, ministries and agencies to undertake investigations and regulatory compliance inspections in accordance with the Regulatory Compliance Framework.
- The position will be required to work extended and irregular hours with minimal or no notice, rotational after hours on standby will be required to provide support to police services. There will be requirements for extended travel (sometimes on short notice) through the Province including remote areas.
- Work is reviewed by the Chief Inspector/Manager, Animal Welfare Operations Unit for the quality of the investigations carried out and adherence to policies and procedures. Work requires referring to the Manager where matters that deviate from policy, Standard Operating Procedures, or may appear to be of a criminal nature or contravention of another statute such as the Employment Standards Act. Matters that may have Province-wide impact or involve expenditure of resources must also be referred to the Chief Inspector as necessary.
- Effective use of Use of Force options and ability to complete Personal Safety Training and/or equivalent, as required by the Chief Inspector.
- Ability to meet all criteria to be appointed as an Inspector under the Province's animal welfare legislation.




Program Planning and Policy Development
- Provides technical expertise and advice to management on present and future risks, and program improvements for animal health and welfare
- Participates and represents the Ministry in cross-divisional, inter-ministerial, multi-disciplinary and external committees/working groups related to animal health and welfare of the related sector.
- Consults with industry and government stakeholders to identify needs and priorities, assess risks and propose risk management in order to develop appropriate policy and programs.
- Collaborates with industry and government stakeholders on the development and implementation of animal health and welfare programs, statutes and activities e.g. strategies for outreach, compliance and managing risks.
- Collects and tracks data on inspections and investigations as required by management to inform future program and policy decisions.

Education and Training
- Delivers technical skills-based education and knowledge related to animal health and welfare based on training approved by the Ministry to ensure individuals in violation of the legislative and regulatory framework understand their requirements under the law.
- Provides day-to-day technical and regulatory expertise related to animal health and welfare to industry veterinarians, government stakeholders, the public and stakeholder in related sector associated to specific cases/inspections/investigations and provides expertise and support to police services across the Province.
- Developing and providing written and oral briefings/presentations on contentious/ high-profile issues.
- Increase compliance through education and awareness.

Staffing and Licensing :

- Job requires Provincial Security Clearance and the ability to obtain and maintain Provincial Offences Officer status.
- Valid G Ontario driver's license to travel to locations not accessible by public transit.
- For designated positions, Oral and written proficiency in French at the Advanced + Level

Knowledge :

- Expert knowledge of the diverse aspects of animal welfare and protection, including the management processes, welfare practices, stakeholders involved, and federal/provincial statutes, legislative and regulatory frameworks as they relate to animal welfare inspections and enforcement.
- Expert knowledge of risks and priorities associated to animal welfare enforcement in commercial and residential environments and ability to mitigate risks and advance priorities.
- Understanding and ability to apply all related statutes, regulations, policies, codes and standards associated with animal welfare to interpret and provide support, direction, technical and regulatory expertise to licenses/registrants, the agricultural sector, the public, complainants veterinarians and police.
- Thorough knowledge of specialized investigative techniques, procedures, legislation and courtroom procedures to carry out investigations by gathering and interpreting evidence and making recommendations for follow-up (eg Criminal charges).
- The position will further ensure the quality of, and compliance with, legislation and guidance of investigations.
- Knowledge of theories to gather evidence and interpret findings by examining available evidence, identifying potential tests for proving theories and providing testimony in Court. Demonstrated knowledge of compliance and enforcement of multiple regulatory statutes/programs and overlapping authorities to provide clear interpretation and understanding of complex issues.
- Knowledge of project management, coordination and time management; data management; computer software to write documents, correspondence and manage data to report to management and communicate within the OPS and externally to stakeholders.
- Strong knowledge of animal welfare stakeholders, positions and stakeholder management within scope of responsibilities.
- Knowledge of behavior and health of diverse animals and understanding of when removal is required.

Skills :

Interpersonal / Influencing Skill
- Analytical and reasoning skills to conduct investigations, assessing and interpreting evidence, maintaining the integrity of the investigative file, evaluating investigative results and determining cause, analyzing the circumstances and issuing orders, laying charges and/or removing animals, making recommendations to the Chief Inspector and to other enforcement entities.
- Evaluative skills to identify and assess trends and patterns requiring further investigation, inspections and compliance checks.
- Communication skills to explain and discuss interpretations of evidence and related legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines, and theories about the investigation, using appropriate judgement in communicating confidential and sensitive information, and providing testimony in Court as necessary.
- Interpersonal skills to persuade and ensure compliance with established methods, models and concepts of investigation. Interpersonal skills to enable discussion among agencies involved in an investigation if necessary e.g. Police, AGCO etc. and reconcile differing interpretations of evidence and views. Carry out follow-up investigations as necessary.
- Require high degree of political acuity, strong compliance with OPS standards on stakeholder engagement, superior judgement and ability to work independently.
Analyzing / Problem Solving Skills to:
- Strong ability to use tact, discretion and honesty when gathering, discussing and disclosing case-related information and evidence to the public or in the Courts as necessary.
- Analytical skills to assess if guidance is required and work to meet priorities and operational requirements.
- Presentation skills to attend meetings and writing skills to prepare materials, Crown Briefs and reports.
- Superior computer skills to use Microsoft Office programs to create reports, to use the internet for job-related searches and information and to use email for work-related communication.
- Observe and record information related to animal welfare for the purposes of determining an appropriate response in a variety of situations.
- Review and evaluate statutes, policies, codes and standards and make recommendations/determine impact to related animal welfare programs and related sectors.
- Assess issues and emerging trends, apply risk management analysis and prepare summary reports.
- Assess issues quickly and with high degree of accuracy when responding to allegations of violations of the legislation/regulations and applying the appropriate tool (issuing orders, laying charges, removing animals etc) and notification to all relevant parties in a timely and accurate manner.

Freedom of Action :

Decision Making / Responsibility

Responsible for:
- Conducting inspection, compliance and enforcement activities under provincial and federal animal welfare statues and regulations.
- Identifying and assessing risks to animal health and welfare (i.e. disease, welfare, , euthanasia) and determining risk management activities in related sector of animal welfare and in accordance with all laws and regulations.
- Judgement and latitude are exercised when assessing risk and risk management activities, and carrying out compliance and enforcement activities.
- Providing on-going technical and regulatory expertise to industry, government stakeholders, other ministries and levels of government.
- Providing analysis, technical expertise, recommendations and assisting the development and implementation of animal health and welfare programs.
- Decision- making is guided by provincial/federal statutes, government priorities, ministry policies and risk assessment practices.
- Judgement is exercised when considering implications of program development on a related sector and recommendations to management

Guidance and Supervision
- Work is generally performed with minimal guidance or supervision in both office and field environment, often in adverse weather or environmental conditions (e.g. dust, noise, zoonotic diseases, hazards, variable temperature), exposure to potentially dangerous animals, and confrontational and argumentative parties.
- Provides technical and regulatory expertise and direction/guidance to industry, government stakeholders, inspectors, appointed veterinarians and Ministry staff related to animal health and welfare of a related sector.
- Provides advice and recommendations to management related analysis and impact of statutes, policies, codes and standards and risk assessment of issues and emerging trends.
- Work is carried out within the overall framework of Ministry and AWOU procedural controls, Standard Operating Procedures and operational plans and within the body of legislation and regulations e.g. the Criminal Code of Canada and the Canada Evidence Act.

Work requires exercising considerable latitude in:
- Completing work assignments, setting priorities and determining relevance of evidence and direction of investigation including testing theories to support the interpretation.
- Making recommendations for changes and supporting Regulations, the Standard Operating procedures based on investigative findings and recommending additional investigation based on analysis.