Job Specification

Purpose :

- To plan, develop, recommend and evaluate provincial policies and programs and sector specific strategies, standards and policies for the Mining Health and Safety program.
- To provide expertise and advice to Ministry staff and senior management, technical committees and sector inter- agency groups on health and safety legislation, regulations, policies and programs.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Policy and Program Development/Evaluation:
- Evaluates proposed and existing enforcement regulations, policies and programs, and plans, develops and recommends the implementation of new/enhanced provincial health and safety regulations, policies and programs and mining sector-specific program initiatives, priorities and multi-year plans, including resources allocations, service delivery implications, workload, resource requirements, delivery mechanisms, cost/benefit analysis cost effectiveness to support program goals and objectives
- Analyzes program and financial implications of new Ministry initiatives by assessing and identifying manageable risks, developing options and recommendations and/or providing alternative methods for program delivery/processes to meet program criteria and new corporate directions.
- Conducts qualitative/quantitative analysis of operational effectiveness and efficiency, administration and organization by carrying out environmental scans to monitor service demands for specific mining sectors, (e.g. emergency and contentious health and safety hazards), interpreting significance of findings on program delivery, conducting risk analysis and preparing reports and recommendations on appropriate course of action.
- Contributes to the development of new/revised program initiatives by conducting research and analyses on identified trends/developments and new, emerging health and safety hazards resulting from new technology and processes in the mining industry, conducting literature research, analyzing economic data trends and consulting with stakeholders.
- Monitors and responds to legislative activities and policy initiatives in other jurisdictions, interprets conclusions and evaluates their impact on Ministry
policies, programs and initiatives and provides recommendations on preferred course of action for the Ministry.

2. Ministry/Sector Consultation and Advice:
- Provides technical program knowledge and develops sector specific standards and guidelines, information bulletins and alerts to ensure Ministry inspection staff and the mining industry is apprised of new/revised Ministry directions and requirements for occupational health and safety.
- Identifies program training needs to respond to new enforcement initiatives/legislation/policies and develops and/or collaborates in the development of operational manuals, training and education materials and delivers training programs for staff.
- Provides Ministry staff, senior management and the Minister with information, analysis and advise to support corporate decision-making,
communication and planning processes, including recommendations regarding: health and safety legislative, program and policy initiatives; issue analysis and resolution; and preparing activity reports, correspondence and briefing materials.
- Assists management and staff in the resolution of case files with province-wide implications by providing expertise and representing the Ministry at appeals hearings and coroner's inquests. Responds to inquest jury recommendations.

3. Stakeholder Relations/Committee Work:
- Represents the Ministry on intra/inter-ministry and mining sector committees, forums and task forces (e.g., Section 21 Advisory Committees, Mining Legislative Review Committee, CSA Technical Committees) by chairing committees and working groups, providing expertise and leading/facilitating discussions on issues such as legislative review, strategic planning, program development/implementation and collaborating on the development of Memoranda of Understanding/ Agreements with external stakeholders.
- Works collaboratively with health and safety partners and stakeholders to develop prevention strategies and promote outreach programs which enhance program delivery.

4. Project Management:
- Leads and/or participates on provincial occupational health and safety program and policy development projects and initiatives including consulting with stakeholders, determining terms of reference, timeframes and desired outcomes, developing work plans, co-ordinating and assigning work to project resources, providing technical direction/guidance and monitoring progress.

Knowledge / Skill :

Knowledge of and Skills in:
- Ministry strategic objectives/directions, legislation and regulations (e.g. Occupational Health and Safety Act) and related legislation (e.g. Trades Qualification and Apprenticeship Act, Apprenticeship and Certification Act), Mining and Designated Substance Regulations and applicable codes and standards to provide advice regarding interpretation and application and ensure consistent enforcement.
- Policy and program development principles/techniques and government policy development and approval processes to ensure compatibility with Ministry directions for promoting and enforcing workplace health and safety, lead policy development projects and develop policy options.
- Government planning processes, program performance measures and program effectiveness criteria to enable planning and development of program and mining sector-specific strategies, standards and policies.
- Research, qualitative/quantitative analyses and synthesis to assess program effectiveness and efficiency, develop new/enhanced program initiatives and operational policies, develop and implement program performance indicators and recommend options to address issues.
- Communications to liaise with stakeholders, represent the Ministry on committees, coroner's inquests and court proceedings, prepare reports, make
presentations to ministry management on policy/program proposals and/or initiatives, prepare briefing materials and issue notes.
- Project management to plan and lead projects including developing terms of reference, timelines and desired outcomes.
- Statistical methods, economic theories, information systems and systems programming to access and interpret data, support research and
policy/program development activities and prepare reports.
- Technical, scientific and professional (e.g. engineering knowledge) issues and current mining developments and trends in health and safety in other jurisdictions, social, economic and political trends impacting health and safety and labour relations to provide advice to senior management and stakeholders and prepare briefing materials.
- Workplace health and safety principles related to safety, work procedures and processes, use of equipment, machinery, tools and devices to identify safety or health hazards related to job performance or exposure to substances which may compromise the health and safety of workers.
- Government approval structures and budget processes to estimate costs associated with construction sector initiatives and program activities.
- Adult education principles to train/educate Ministry staff on occupational health and safety law and administration.
- Computer applications for word processing, spreadsheets and graphics to prepare briefing materials, presentations and correspondence.

Interpersonal / Influencing Skill :

- Negotiation, conflict resolution and leadership skills to lead consultations and reconcile different viewpoints/ positions with clients/stakeholders with respect to Ministry policies, strategies and initiatives.
- Interpersonal /influencing and mediation skills to balance competing interests across the mining industry and convince stakeholders and/or Ministry management to accept alternative responses to resolve issues/problems.
- Leadership and consensus building skills to provide effective leadership to multi-discipline project teams.
- Consultation and persuasive skills to provide leadership and advice to Ministry staff, other jurisdictions (e.g. MLRC and MPPAC groups), the mining sector and stakeholder organizations on prevention methodology and hazard controls and discuss new policy/program initiatives.

Analyzing / Problem Solving Skill :

Analyzing and problem-solving skills to:
- Evaluate proposed and existing health and safety policies, programs, strategies, enforcement and initiatives, and identify options/ recommendations for new/revised policies, programs, strategies and initiatives to enhance workplace health and safety.
- Research and conduct environmental scans and assess directions, trends, standards and policies for health and safety within the mining sector using multiple sources of information (e.g. staff/stakeholder consultations, literature review, economic data), interprets findings and develops options/recommendations to address impacts.
- Analyze and develop solutions to resolve legislative interpretation issues and respond to multi-faceted and contentious health and safety issues (e.g. short and long-term operational enforcement strategies and policies).
- Conduct risk assessment and develop and implement risk control strategies to address province-wide health and safety issues.

Decision Making / Responsibility :

Responsible for:
- Analyzing program effectiveness and a range of program-specific issues and developing options/recommendations for legislative and policy
changes/enhancements, strategies and initiatives governing the mining sector that may impact on Ministry programs, the economic viability of businesses and compliance with occupational health and safety law and trades' qualifications.
- Determining the extent of stakeholder consultation required during the development of a policy, program or initiative to ensure adequacy of
consultation and resolution of issues that may impact on final proposals.
- Providing advice to the Minister, Deputy Minister and senior management in response to demands/requests from stakeholders and industry
representatives that may impact on Ministry priorities and program delivery, labour relations or health and safety in the mining sector.
- Providing expert technical advice and interpretation of Health and Safety legislation and regulations governing the mining sector to Ministry staff and stakeholders.
Has latitude to:
- Determine priorities, recommend changes in ministry policies and programs to enhance workplace health and safety and provide direction and expertise to Ministry staff and stakeholders in the mining sector. Decide when external communications are required (e.g. alerts).
Decision-making is guided by Ministry policies and procedures and the legislative and regulatory framework for health and safety program delivery, established guidelines, standards and professional and industry practices and precedents.

Contacts / Stakeholder :

- Ministerial and senior management staff, program/regional managers and staff, policy, legal and communications staff to provide expertise and present/discuss options/recommendations for legislative, policy and program amendments, briefing materials and provide interpretation, expertise and training on health and safety matters.
- Program and policy counterparts in other Ministries and the Federal/Municipal governments to consult on jurisdictional issues, work collaboratively on Memoranda of Agreement/ Understanding and to conduct research on health and safety to enhance program operations and improve service quality.
- Industry and employee representatives. Labour/management stakeholders, trade associations, [WSIB, TSSA, HRDC ] and other health and safety partners to seek input into the development/enhancement of policies and programs, exchange information and/or collaborate on joint initiatives to improve workplace health and safety.

Guidance / Supervision :

- Provides project leadership to assigned resources including organizing the team, assigning tasks, reviewing progress and providing guidance and advice.
- Provides advice to industry clients and chairs working groups and committees by providing technical information and guidance related to enforcement strategies, policies and regulatory requirements and initiatives to ensure consistent approach and compliance with health and safety policies and regulations.
- Provides advice and guidance to Minister's and Deputy Minister's Offices and senior management on a range of health and safety policy and program issues impacting on the mining sector.
- Provides advice and expertise to regional staff on the interpretation and application of legislation, policies and best practices, developing responses to contentious issues and current/emerging health and safety issues and trends and provides training.

Demands / Pressures :

Work Demands :

- Frequently required to respond to requests to stakeholder inquiries within short deadlines, conflicting work demands (e.g. meetings interrupted to
respond to information requests, simultaneous demands from clients, field staff, safety groups for information/assistance, shifting priorities determined
by other work units - Policy/Legal Branches) and preparation of briefing notes and issue analyses within tight time frames, limits control over pace of work.
- Project work is frequently disrupted through limited control over assigned staff to attend meetings and carry out assignments which result in project delays and increased work pressures.
- Occasional disruption of personal life caused by traveling long distances to other locations/remote offices in Northern Ontario.

Mental / Sensory :

- Work involves periods of concentration to read and comment on multiple documents, draft reports, briefing notes and policy related materials under tight time pressures. Difficulty is experienced due to open office environment and frequent interruptions.
- Frequent requirement to listen intently when chairing/participating in policy/program development meetings, stakeholder consultation sessions to capture reactions to Ministry position; give instructions to working group members without having direct control over their participation; and observe work practices and conditions at mine sites when participating in inspections.

Conditions / Environment :

Work is performed in a typical office environment. However, due to requirement to travel throughout assigned area in Northern Ontario there is some exposure to: weather extremes and temperature variances in underground mines: hazards such as slips/falls, walking among moving machinery/equipment; and dust/noise and chemical exposure at mining sites. Required to climb ladders/walk ramps at worksites.
Frequently required to carry computer and presentation materials to meetings and operate computer for extended periods of time.