Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

As a member of the Ontario Parks Team, under the general supervision of the Park Superintendent, provide group leadership for a variety of technical duties and program responsibilities associated with day-to-day park operations.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Providing group leadership to all park programs and fixed-term/seasonal staff and students on behalf of the Park Superintendent, including
recommending and assisting with staff hiring, training, scheduling, assigning and monitoring daily work for quality and efficiency, explaining work methods and policies/procedures, monitoring performance for input in performance management processes.
2. Directing and assisting staff with park operations such as maintenance, fee collection, visitor services and enforcement as per provincial park legislation, regulations, policies and procedures by ensuring all park facilities are operational, staff are in compliance with Occupational Health and Safety requirements and a high standard of public safety is maintained.
3. Ensuring client satisfaction through interaction with park visitors, including addressing and investigating all suggestions and complaints, both oral and written, and when necessary referring issues to the Park Superintendent. Preparing written correspondence, answering written and verbal inquiries from special interest groups, public and other government agencies.
4. Conducting park warden duties by enforcing provincial statutes (i.e. Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, Liquor License Act, Highway Traffic Act, etc.) when required, including documenting warnings, laying charges, issuing appearance notices and attending court as required; maintaining an accurate and detailed record of all enforcement activities/occurrences, compiling occurrence reports and preparing seized items for disposal; promoting user compliance with park rules and regulations through public contact and routine/non-routine patrols; advising, reporting/recording problems, violations and complaints as required.
5. Acting as a project supervisor or contract administrator for capital projects by developing and ensuring completion of planned capital, regular and special maintenance projects by purchasing/ordering equipment, services and supplies.
6. Performing administrative duties such as preparing and keeping current annual operating strategies and emergency plans; assisting in the preparation of work plans and in the full implementation of approved work programs; preparing administrative, financial and legal reports, and maintaining park operations within assigned budget.
7. Contribute to Problem Black Bear Management while adhering to relevant policies, procedures and guidelines, including occurrence reporting, the use of bear deterrents, trapping and transferring problem bears and when required the humane dispatch of nuisance bears.
8. Operating and maintaining park water treatment facility and distribution systems, including conducting maintenance, testing/sampling, troubleshooting, record keeping and daily operation.
9. Performing other related duties (e.g. operating radio and phone system, working variable hours and weekends as required, performing first-aid treatment and assisting in emergency services as required, maintaining data entry records & inventories in the Park Asset Management System (MAIS).
10. Assisting other members of the park team during vacation/sickness and other peak workload periods.
11. Other additional duties as assigned.
The incumbent shall, while in the workplace and in performing their assigned duties, conduct themselves in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations, as well as any workplace practices as directed by the employer. The incumbent shall ensure that they take precautions to protect the health and safety of themselves and others by complying with such acts, codes, policies, procedures and/or accepted workplace practices as may be appropriate. The incumbent shall report any hazards of which they are aware to their immediate supervisor or designated employer representative

Staffing and Licencing :

Valid Class 'G' Driver's Licence or equivalent.
Ability to be designated as a Park Warden and meet the ministry certification criteria and standards in the Use of Force.
Ability to obtain Standard First Aid, AED and CPR Certificate
Must possess or have the ability to obtain an Operation of Small Drinking Water Systems Certificate
Ability to obtain Firearms Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) and Hunting Licence (Outdoors Card)
Ability to obtain a Pleasure Craft Operators Card (PCOC) or equivalent.

Knowledge :

Job requires knowledge of resource management practices as well as legislation applicable to park management, including park administration and procedures to effectively operate a park.
Job requires knowledge of law enforcement and applicable Provincial and Federal legislation, such as the Highway Traffic Act, Fisheries Act, Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, Forest Fire Prevention Act, Liquor License Act, to interpret and explain rules/procedures to employees and park visitors, which may lead to laying charges, processing tickets, conducting search and seizure, and dealing with uncooperative or aggressive clients
Job requires knowledge of park administration, business practices, purchasing, accounting policies, procedures and guidelines to effectively operate the park by operating within these guidelines and leading others.
Job requires knowledge of the operation and maintenance of powered equipment such as diesel generators, water pumps and filtration systems, lawnmowers, chainsaws, boats, small hand tools, as well as knowledge of general building and utility maintenance.
Job requires knowledge of customer service standards/ practices, telephone operation and etiquette to serve park clients and respond to general information requests from internal/external clients.
Job requires knowledge of park water treatment facility and distribution system operation, maintenance and testing to provide quality drinking water to park visitors and staff according to approved and appropriate legislation, policies and procedures.
Job requires knowledge of IT resources and corporate computer operations including, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, IFIS and Ontario Parks Reservation and Registration Systems to facilitate camper registration and reservation, store operation, purchasing, word-processing, record-keeping, data base needs, and internet and e-mail correspondence.
Job requires knowledge of worker responsibilities as outlined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its Regulations that apply to the position's work, and knowledge of any potential or actual danger to health or safety in the workplace to ensure compliance and reporting hazards.

Skills :

Job requires group leadership skills to provide direction to park staff, students and volunteers in the operation and custodial management of the parks by assigning work, explaining work methods, monitoring performance and ensuring continuity in services. While working under minimal supervision, job requires well-developed organizational skills, as well as ability to work independently and with initiative to ensure the efficient and effective daily operations of the parks.
Job requires analytical skills to determine the urgency of matters and give priority based on knowledge of subject matter, as well as to apply resource management principles and techniques to respond to situations appropriately by considering the implications to environmental and human protection.
Job requires interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written) to address complaints and to clarify explain items in detail to park visitors regarding park procedures, policies and legislation and to conduct park warden duties.
Job requires mathematical skills to accurately account/track expenditures, purchasing supplies, and maintain park inventories.
Job requires physical ability to carry out functions/duties of the position to be able to traverse through park property/land, which can be rugged and/or remote terrain, as well as conducting these duties in all types of weather and under inclement conditions.
Job requires the ability to work shifts, including nights, weekends and statutory holidays as per schedule. Job requires ability to operate and maintain a variety of office and light powered equipment such as lawnmowers, chainsaws, boats, small hand tools.
Job requires computer skills including word processing, record keeping, electronic mail and internet software applications.
Job requires the skill and physical ability to meet the ministry certification criteria and use of force standards with respect to the park warden
certification.
Job requires the skill and ability to obtain a current/valid Ontario Boating License (PCOC) to operate the park's boat to perform duties such as marking swimming area with buoy lines, enforcement and interior maintenance.
Job requires the skill and ability to obtain a current/valid CPR, AED and Standard First Aid Certification, a current/valid Water Treatment Certification, a current/valid Limited Water Surface Certification and a current/valid Firearms Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) and Hunting Licence (Outdoors Card).

Freedom of Action :

Job requires working within applicable legislation, policies, and procedures and acting independently in performing regular park warden duties.
Job requires adhering to and accessing relevant Ministry policies, procedures, guidelines, directives, established practices and legislation to provide answers to inquiries and to perform tasks (e.g. park reservations policy, revenue receiving requirements, purchasing guidelines, customer service standards, and provincial legislation).
Job requires regular progress updates to Park Superintendent to ensure targets are met and results acceptable.
Job requires making operational decisions that impact on the effectiveness of park management.
Job requires making decisions on own initiative (e.g. composing correspondence, issuing permits, verifying expenditures, park warden duties) based on questioning clients, visitors and staff to determine validity and ensure in accordance with policies, procedures, directives and legislation.
Job requires referring matters of an unusual/potentially contentious nature or which represent a contravention of policies, procedures or normal business practices (e.g. contravention of park policies, irate clients, human resource related issues) to the Park Superintendent.