Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

Under the general direction of the Manager, Operations and Development to lead and conduct engagement for the Ontario Parks Branch implementation of the provincial health and safety legislation, standards, and emergency management initiatives, audit delivery, develop and report on appropriate performance measures. Champion and provide leadership to the Branch for the OPS Respectful Workplace Policy.

To lead and conduct engagement and provide advice and training to support the implementation of new initiatives within the Branches province wide.

To Lead the Branch Health and Wellness Program

Duties / Responsibilities :

Researches,collects and analyzes information and data to determine trends; identify improved systems to inform branch policy and/or operational decisions; coordinates and reviews recommendations for program areas; develops reports based on research and analysis findings to form conclusions and make recommendations to senior management;
Develops cost effective options and solutions for program implementation and/or operational issues and problems;
Leads and conducts development of implementation plans including reviewing program mandate, direction, strategic planning, auditing, reporting and program policy, developing implementation steps, identifying potential challenges, and reviewing implementation plans with staff and senior management to achieve consistency of approach and continuous improvement of the safety and wellness program in order to reach a common level of program implementation consistency with ministry and divisional direction and full compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the CSA Z1000 standard and Respectful Workplace Policy;
Leads and provides expert advice, design, direction and guidance on updating and delivery on training to branch management/staff to support handoff of developed programs and related procedures/systems, reviews analysis of health and safety records for the branch, measurement baselines, and performance results with the branches/organization, and provides advice/support as required. Designs and coordinates practical exercises to test adequacy of health and safety plans.
Leads and conducts consultations with provincial/divisional and branch staff to present project plans/approaches and proposals, to clarify the project objectives and limitations. Leads the review of the approach/situation, and business requirements, and receives input to project design and implementation within the branch.
Leads and participates on branch/division/ministry, agency committees and working groups;
Leads and conducts consultations with staff to review strategies, lead working groups and contract resources as required;
Provides leadership, subject matter advice and expertise on implementation and project management of new strategies to the branches;
Provides leadership and champion the new Respectful Workplace policy. This policy is intended to ensure that the OPS continue to foster the development of inclusive, diverse, and accessible workplaces, free from discrimination and harassment.
Develops branch recovery strategies and plans to facilitate the health and safety program of the MNRF and Respectful Workplace Policy.
Leads the development and dissemination of project communication materials to the branches management and staff and external partners as required;
Provides project briefings, expertise and recommendations to branch management, ministry senior management, and advises on issues management;
Prepares business cases, position papers, briefing notes and other executive documentation.
Provides technical leadership and project management for branch responsibilities associated with the ministry's emergency management program, the ministry's commitment to health and safety standards in regards to health and safety delivery and Respectful Workplace Policy;
Coordinates the annual review of the branches health and safety plans; coordinates subsequent adjustment/improvements to branch plans and implementation procedures and provides review results to the Divisional Health and Safety Coordinator;
Provides technical advice and coordination of the development, updating and delivery of branch health and safety plans including review, identification of necessary modification and verification of plan completion.
Provides technical leadership to implementation team colleagues and/or external consultants, by assigning project responsibilities, providing ongoing technical direction/guidance, monitoring and ensuring delivery of project tasks.
Provides technical and project management support to working groups as assigned;
Develops and implements project plans and charters, makes recommendations on infrastructure and business systems. Monitors project progress, prepares regular project reports, and manages ongoing issues risks and project changes;
Ensures the review and evaluation of the adequacy of the branch Health and Safety policies, directions, templates, training guidelines and communication/reporting protocols; identifies gaps, needs and provides input to draft policies and guidelines; develops standards for prevention, mitigation and strategies.

Staffing and Licensing :

Valid Ontario Driver's Licence

Knowledge :

Job requires knowledge of project planning, implementation, management and evaluation theory, principles and methodologies to lead/conduct delivery of the branch responsibilities for emergency management program delivery, health and safety and wellness strategies/initiatives as well as the Respectful Workplace policy or other projects as assigned.
Job requires knowledge of the mandate/strategic directions of the division and branch to provide consultation to internal/external staff and ensure project plans meet divisional/branch objectives and business needs.
Job requires knowledge of financial management including budget preparation, procurement, analysis and monitoring to support program/project implement projects.
Job requires knowledge of communications policies to produce project proposals, reports and briefings, and to lead stakeholder consultations and provide recommendations to management and staff.
Job requires knowledge of IM/IT related legislation and policy in regards to applications including Ontario Parks Integrated Safety Standard (OPISS), email, internet, word processing, spreadsheets and presentations, in order to prepare materials, conduct research and analysis, and share information.

Skills :

Job requires consultation, partnership building and relationship management skills to establish linkages to be able to work cooperatively on new delivery initiatives and reforms.
Job requires consensus-building, mediation and negotiation skills to gain support for policy and program initiatives, to resolve issues and receive input to project design and implementation.
Job requires relationship management and team work skills to maintain cooperation with provincial/branch/division colleagues.
Job requires presentation and persuasion skills to provide issues management advice, and to explain policy or program recommendations to ministry management.
Job requires analytical skills in order to critically evaluate program, policy and implementation plans to identify and resolve issues and risks (Audits).
Job requires evaluative skills in order to identify business needs, develop project plans, and identify and resolve planning/manage issues.
Job requires implementation/delivery skills in order to develop program implementation plans, reviewing the program mandate, direction, strategic plan and program policy, identifying and assessing challenges, limitations and opportunities.
Job requires oral and written communication skills in order to prepare, update and review proposals, briefing notes and other executive documentation that is highly sensitive in nature.

Freedom of Action :

Job requires working within well documented and established ministry/government policies and procedures for reporting on project status, issues, control or resources and budget.
Job requires determining accuracy of data as it related to program delivery.
Job requires resolving issues or problems with branch, division and provincial staff from across the province.
Job is required to provide advice, recommend direction and to set out timelines and requirements to the Director/Managers/Supervisors and Divisional and Provincial Committee leads.
Job is requires to provide leadership to committees (e.g. providing staff accurate analysis of data).