Job Specification

Purpose :

To provide specialist land use advice, guidance and expertise for the resolution of issues related to the development of public lands in the Far North of Ontario and the development of program/operational policy affecting public land and resources in the Far North of Ontario.

To participate in, support and as necessary lead, ministry land use planning projects and initiatives to support the Far North Land Use Planning Initiative (FNLUPI).

To participate in cross-ministry provincial-level program/policy initiatives to ensure Far North perspectives are considered in program , operational and policy matters and to provide recommendations for consideration to the Sr. Program Advisors.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Program Advice/ Expertise:
Provides advice on land use matters including, development proposals, guidelines, procedures and operational policies. Also provides advice on the implications of public land development and the application of the programs, plans, legislation and policies of other ministries, agencies and developers.

Participates in Far North Land Use Planning Initiative projects such as the development of land use plans and other government initiatives by conducting research, analyzing and presenting findings.
Provides training and guidance to Ministry staff in the application and interpretation of policies, procedures, legislation associated with the Far North Land Use Planning Initiative e.g. the Far North Act.

2. Operational Policy Development:
Participates on ministry project teams to develop and recommend program/operational policy, and provide technical expertise for the assessment of impacts on ministry land use and natural resource directions.

Researches, analyzes and provides input to new land use planning and integrated resource management policies, concepts, techniques, methodologies, and best planning practices, that potentially affect community based land planning directions.

Supports the development of program/operational policy and processes to promote coordination of the ministry's land use and resource management planning.

Produces reports on meetings and workshops related to land use planning, including planning models, emerging trends, and short and long term impact analysis.

Participates in the development and review of other provincial level programs and policies, within the ministry, and in horizontal program and provincial policy development initiatives with other ministries.

Reviews and writes Minister's or Deputy Minister's briefing notes and materials and provides input to Cabinet submissions dealing with land use planning.

3. Cross-ministry collaboration and Stakeholder Relations:
Participates in cross-ministry provincial-level and use planning and program/operational policy development initiatives.

Supports Aboriginal engagement in joint land use planning between Ontario and First Nations through effective Aboriginal relations.

Fosters professional working relationships within the regions, ministry, other ministries and stakeholders that positively impact the delivery of provincial-level program/policy initiatives

Knowledge / Skill :

Knowledge of and skill in:
Ministry policies, standards, and priorities, and government directions in the development of public land planning policies and submissions and in the provision of program/operational policy advice

Land use planning concepts and methodologies, including related analytical methodologies, applied by the ministry and other public agencies to ensure that Ontario's practices are effective and consider the best available practices.

Ontario's municipal planning system to ensure the compatibility of public and private land planning practices.

Program policies, resource management planning processes and operational practices of a broad range of ministry programs to understand the relationships to land use planning and implications to lands and resources in the Far North of Ontario, seek appropriate coordination, and provide effective policy advice, and to help develop solutions to land use conflicts on a province-wide basis.

Specific requirements of the Environmental Assessment Act and Environmental Bill of Rights as they relate to policy and planning requirements in the Far North of Ontario

Specific requirements and procedures of the amendment of area-specific Crown Land Use Policy to provide solutions for Crown Land Planning issues in the Far North of Ontario.

Policy structure and practices of the Ontario government and ministry in order to identify effective policy development strategies.

Public consultation methodologies to support the development of effective program/operational policies and provide advice on the application of appropriate methodologies

Aboriginal cultures, treaties and interests in lands and resources to support the development of program/operational policies and manage Aboriginal relations that effectively consider Aboriginal interests and meet legal obligations.

Written and oral communication skills to prepare technical reports, briefing materials, recommendations, correspondence and other materials; to lead meetings, conduct briefings and carry out training; and translate technical and specialized language concepts, processes and information into terms and messages that are easily understood by a variety of audiences.

Project management skills to lead and/or participate in policy development/other planning projects and participate on cross-ministry provincial-level program/policy initiatives.

Technical knowledge of the practices, principles and approaches of information management for geographic related information including, database maintenance, design and structure and mapping tools.

Standard computer applications (Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Power Point, Abobe Acrobat, MS Project, Outlook, Internet search tools.); and occasional use of GIS.

Interpersonal / Influencing Skill :

Consensus building and negotiation skills, to reach agreement among staff and others with differing views on suitable program/policy positions.

Consultation and persuasion skills to engage and seek advice on program/operational policy proposals from within the government, other jurisdictions, industry, stakeholders, and aboriginal organizations, articulate ministry objectives and to develop support for land use planning initiatives.

Communication, facilitation, and presentation skills to present information, consult with and explain program/operational policy or planning proposals, orapproved policies, to diverse internal and external audiences.

Analyzing / Problem Solving Skill :

Analytical skills to:

Analyze complex program, policy and broad planning issues in order to recommend appropriate policy or planning strategies.

Analyze program/operational policy proposals in order to determine the potential implications for ministry policy and planning, and recommend appropriate responses.

Review and assess existing planning policies and practices of the ministry in order to identify priority areas for improvement.

Research land use planning policies and practices of other ministries and jurisdictions, to identify effective practices that should be considered for application by the ministry.

Identify and articulate the concerns of other ministries or levels of government in order to address and resolve issues

Decision Making / Responsibility :

Responsible for:
Supporting and/or participating on project teams and making recommendations for changes to the ministry's land use planning policies and practices that impact provincial and ministry land use planning directions.

Providing specialist program/operational policy interpretation and land use planning advice to a broad range of ministry staff on issues and on the implications on ministry land use planning policies.

Analyzing and making recommendations for the ministry's response to selected policy proposals of other agencies.

Leading or participating on inter and intra ministerial forums/committees to align horizontal program and policy initiatives and to facilitate integration and consistency of policy directions.

Has latitude to provide advice on program/operational policy interpretation, and on a range of land use planning process issues to a broad range of ministry staff, and to develop land use policy options and approaches that reflect best planning practices and consider integration and alignment of cross-jurisdictional planning policy and practices.

Decisions are guided by Ministry land use planning legislation, planning policies, procedures, practices and precedents, Government and ministry strategic directions, other relevant legislation, policies and procedures including Environmental Assessment and Environmental Bill of Rights.

Contacts / Stakeholder :

Stakeholder groups to seek input on program/operational policy development initiatives and to provide information on current land use planning policies.

First Nation communities in the Far North to facilitate engagement and seek input/support for proposals through the land use planning process and related initiatives.

Senior program advisors, senior regional/regional land use planners in ministry to seek input on program/operational policy development initiatives, to coordinate implementation of provincial land use planning initiatives, to identify land use planning issues that require resolution or clarification at the
provincial level, to provide input to regional or local planning initiatives with provincial Implications.
Ministry managers, directors and ADMs to provide advice on program/operational policy development or interpretation, or issue resolution.

Land use planning and policy specialists in the ministry and other ministries to provide or seek input to program/operational policy development initiatives, to coordinate implementation of land use planning initiatives with cross program or cross ministry implications, and to participate in interministerial committees for consistency of land use planning policy and land planning practices.

Guidance / Supervision :

Ministry and other ministry staff to provide technical specialist advice on land use planning issues, principles, and guidelines, and on the implications of other ministries and agencies land use plans, policies and programs.

Demands / Pressures :

Work Demands :

Occasionally required to deal with unexpected changes or modifications to deadlines on short notice to address urgent Issues and to take on new assignments.

Mental / Sensory :

Frequently required to read without interruption and concentrate intently to carry out detailed reviews of written documents and in meetings that may last several hours.

Conditions / Environment :

Work is performed in a typical office environment, with occasional trips to other offices around the province. Also requires overnight travel to remote field locations in the Province including remote areas in the Far North on occasion.