Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

The Senior Inspector leads investigative teams in special / complex case investigations, adhering to the Ontario Animal Welfare operational policies and procedures of the Ministry of the Solicitor General. To provide operational leadership in program delivery, development, and compliance for animal health and welfare programs and services. To provide leadership and deliver program briefings or reports as necessary, presenting evidence in Court, recommending action, and briefing as necessary on policy and operations, including direction to management and staff on research/trends, major policy and emerging issues. To prepare and deliver technical presentations. To provide advice to management decision-making, planning, performance review and problem solving.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Team Leadership and Program Delivery


- Team leadership for operational activities under provincial and federal animal health and welfare statutes and regulations.
- Primary liaison on operational activities with industry, veterinarians, government stakeholders, other ministries and levels of government.
- Coordinates reports, correspondence and case files for investigation.
- Provides technical expertise related to animal welfare and interpretation of animal welfare statutes, standards, codes of practice and protocols.
- Responsible for recommending/ laying charges under Provincial 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, under management of the Regional Manager and Chief Inspector.
- Support and make recommendations to management on 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.
- Review and prepare comprehensive reports of inspections/investigations and, as may be required, to make recommendations regarding action to be taken regarding the Investigation. Prepares detailed reports on evaluation methods and standards applied in inspections/ investigations, identifying areas of non-compliance, expectations and recommendations for improvement, including inspections to follow-up on implementation of recommendations, and/or legal action if warranted. Prepares reports on investigations outlining issues, applicable legislation, decisions and reasons for decisions.
- Liaising with police services, Ministry Corporate areas and other governments, ministries and agencies to undertake investigations.
- Support staff and review quality of the investigations carried out and adherence to policies and procedures.


Program Planning and Policy Development
- Leads and coordinates provision of 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.
- Leads and coordinates consultation with industry and government stakeholders to identify needs and priorities, assess risks and propose risk management in order to develop appropriate policy and programs.
- Develops and maintains business relationships in support of unit mandate.
- 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.

Education and Training
- Leads and coordinates development, design and delivery of technical skills-based and knowledge intensive training modules/programs related to animal health and welfare to industry, contract appointed veterinarians and government stakeholders.
- Leads and coordinates provision of on-going technical and regulatory expertise related to animal health and welfare to industry, contract appointed veterinarians, government stakeholders in related sector.
- Prepares and delivers presentations at public meetings, associations and other stakeholder gatherings in order to educate organizations on acceptable practices for achieving compliance.
- Develops and provides written and oral briefings/presentations on contentious/ high-profile issues.

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.
- The position will be required to work extended and irregular hours with minimal or no notice, rotational after hours on call 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.
- For French designated positions: position will require oral and written French language proficiency at the Advanced Plus level

Knowledge :

- Knowledge of the diverse aspects of animal welfare and protection, including the management processes, welfare practices, stakeholders involved, provincial regulations and statutes as they relate to animal welfare (i.e. animal health and welfare, wildlife, and environmental) to lead identification of needs and priorities, risk assessment and proposal of risk management strategies, the development and implementation of policies, codes and programs to advance animal health and welfare in a related sector.
- Understanding of all related statutes, regulations, policies, codes and standards associated with animal welfare to lead interpretation and provide support to Inspectors, as well as direction, technical and regulatory expertise to licenses/registrants, livestock producers, appointed veterinarians and police.
- Thorough knowledge of specialized investigative techniques, procedures, legislation and courtroom procedures to lead investigations and the gathering and interpretation of evidence, and make recommendations for follow-up (i.e. 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.

Skills :

- 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 making recommendations to the Chief Inspector with respect to the decision to lay or not to lay any charges.
- Lead a team to achieve organizational goals, communicates with and motivates the team to achieve results. Translates 'big picture' objectives to specific team/individual goals and develops team commitment by communicating to team members how their efforts contribute to achieving the goal. Communicates with team members about events and issues that will impact the team, resources available and their achievement of targeted goals.
- Strong 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, OMAFRA, Commodity Groups etc. and reconcile differing interpretations of evidence and views. Carry out follow-up investigations as necessary.
- 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 and following the guidelines of disclosure relating to FIPPA.
- Analytical skills to assess if guidance is required and work to meet priorities and operational requirements.
- Presentation skills to deliver lectures, seminars and attend meetings and writing skills to prepare materials, Crown Briefs and reports.
- 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 health and 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 health and welfare programs and related sectors.
- Assess issues and emerging trends, apply risk management analysis and prepare summary reports.
- Develop and design technical skills-based and knowledge intensive training modules/programs; determine needs, content and instructional methods consistent with strategic objectives and ministry training policies/objectives.

Freedom of Action :

- Job requires working with and providing team leadership to staff who are conducting inspection, compliance and enforcement activities under provincial and federal animal welfare statues and regulations. Work is carried out within the overall framework of Ministry and PSISB 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.
- Position coordinates identification and assessment of risks to animal health and welfare (i.e. disease, welfare, euthanasia) and determining risk management activities in related sector of animal welfare.
- Judgement and latitude are exercised when assessing risk and risk management activities, and providing team leadership to compliance and enforcement activities.
- Coordinates provision of technical and regulatory expertise to industry, government stakeholders, other ministries and levels of government.
- Leads provision of analysis, technical expertise, recommendations and assistance in the development and implementation of animal health and welfare programs.
- Decision-making is guided by provincial/federal statutes, government priorities, ministry policies, standard operating procedures and risk assessment practices.
- Judgement is exercised when considering implications of program development on a related sector and recommendations to management.
- 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 team leadership in the 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.
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Work requires exercising considerable latitude in ensuring completion of work assignments, setting priorities and determining relevance of evidence and direction of investigation including testing theories to support the interpretation.
- Making recommendations for operational policy changes and supporting regulations and standard operating procedures based on investigative findings and recommending additional investigation based on analysis.
Work requires referring to the Regional Manager/Chief Inspector 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.