Job Specification

Purpose :

To manage and ensure the effective operation and professional and technical competence of a
unit that provides program analyses and examination, direct training and research programs.

To present expert testimony in all levels of courts of law, coroner's inquests and other official
hearings such as provincial inquiries, public commissions and medical boards of inquiry.

To act as a technical resource and authority in forensic investigation and provide advice to
clients and the ministry on matters as they relate to these professional areas.

To provide an investigative service to the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), other law
enforcement and government agencies and to act as case manager on all investigations into
circumstances of serious injuries, allegations of sexual assault or deaths that may have
resulted from criminal offences committed by police officers throughout the province.

To ensure that best practices in investigative techniques and processes are implemented and
program meets strategic goals including thorough and high quality investigations, transparency
to the public, promoting accountability of police services across Ontario, integrity of the
process, and respecting the privacy and dignity of all stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Provides professional and administrative management of day to day laboratory operations,
including planning and developing unit initiatives to achieve program operational and
strategic priorities and commitments; sets work priorities, establishes work schedules; and
reviews reports to ensure that examiner's conclusions are fully supportable.

2. Directs, assigns and monitors training and development projects for staff; directs and promotes educational and training programs/materials for outside agencies, including instructional sessions for clients at meetings, lectures and seminars relating to the appropriate procedures for handling items for examination and the application of program forensics.

3. Plans and coordinates research and development of analytical systems from original concept through final delivery. Designs and implements new technologies and reviews new or innovative methods in conducting examinations and analyses in support of investigations, e.g. new laboratory instrumentation, new methods of testing, new applications of known procedures from other fields and the application of new knowledge.

4. Provides objective, independent expertise by participating as an advisor in the field of program examination during the investigative stage of police and other official investigations; assists in directing the course of the investigation by providing expert opinion or investigative test results which may alter or re-focus the direction of an investigation; attends at scenes of incidents as required in order to provide expert advice; reviews the work or testimony of other experts and advises as to its validity and relevance.

5. Provides expert testimony in courts, on matters relating to the examinations performed. May provide clients with expert advice on specific problems related to investigative cases.

Managerial Responsibilities
1. Develops and oversees ministry strategic plans in the program area and provides advice and expertise to executive levels on issues impacting the OPS and ministry service deliverables.

2. Controls financial resources and reporting, develops the multi-year budget and resource plans. Leads business, financial, and results-based planning processes for Ministry programs/operations and services.

3. Builds organizational capacity through effective human resources development by authorizing recruitment activities, labour relations management, talent management, organizational design and succession planning.

4. Establishes and maintains strong working relationships with key partners and stakeholders to
ensure timely and accurate information flow and identification of issues; presents and advocates the ministry's position at various forums

5. Responsible for the overall compliance with legislative statutes, collective agreements, government and ministry policies, directives, guidelines and commitments related to programs and services.

Qualifications :

Not applicable.

Factors :

Knowledge :

Ministry/agency strategic corporate directions, multi-year strategic business planning processes, and ministry service delivery models, to lead and manage a significant ministry program area, to determine program objectives and resource requirements and to ensure alignment of programs and projects with corporate strategic goals.

Government and ministry financial, administrative and procurement policies and directives to plan and manage fiscal and material resources. This includes reviewing and approving budgets, managing facilities, assets, and contract service providers, leading long range fiscal planning, providing regular financial reporting, and ensuring compliance with financial protocols, audit principles, directives and guidelines.

Human resources theories, principles, policies and collective agreements to develop organizational capacity which includes succession planning, talent management, organization and job design and labour relations management.

Project management principles and methodologies to oversee and guide the overall delivery of mandates and strategies.

Theories, principles and practices of contemporary investigation, discipline and oversight techniques to act as a senior expert on investigations, provide expert advice to senior management, lead the development of multi-year strategic plans for the investigation of complaints against police in Ontario, lead and direct the investigative program and to ensure the program incorporates best practices and continuous improvements in investigative techniques.

Advanced technology and emerging trends in program area and the principles and procedures to develop related methods, protocols, quality control processes and quality assurance practices for examinations to manage a program that meets and maintains accreditation requirements.

Advanced research methodology to design, construct, operate, evaluate and modify laboratory analytical systems to carry out required research/investigations by determining the testing methodology required, assessing existing systems, designing alterations or new analytical systems, modifying procedures or equipment; providing training in new methodologies for technologists and other scientists.

Relevant standards to comply with quality assurance requirements so that the ministry maintains scientific expertise and provides expert services to clients in the Ontario Justice System.

Relevant acts, legislation, legislative authorities and requirements for the security and continuity of evidentiary material to ensure that investigative programs are compliant.

Agency mandate to plan and prioritize investigations, provide authoritative functional expertise and direction, advise on risks and options, participate as a member of the management team in the development of strategic and operational plans, and liaise with stakeholders.

Scene of crime and autopsy practices and protocol, legal issues such as the latest local, national or international landmark case decisions having impact on Canadian law, to provide expert advice during a criminal investigation and accurate and precise testimony in a court of law or coroner's inquest.

Program Responsibility :

Responsible for managing a unit responsible for a range of program analyses and examinations, the provision of related expertise and the development of training and research materials; ensures that staff analyses and interpretations are accurate and reported and presented as evidence in an objective manner.

Responsible for managing the service demands and operational relationships of clients and program priorities to reduce the operational and investigative pressures faced by clients.

Responsible for managing and assigning complex cases, court appearances, lecturing, teaching and training by determining priorities, assigning and delegating tasks to others, doing appropriate documentation of progress of cases involving numerous samples and testing procedures and by ensuring accountability of actions taken.

Responsible for the provision and direction of investigations into SIU mandated incidents involving cases of death, serious injury or sexual assault involving police throughout the province.

Responsible for the provision of specialized consultation and direction in the collection, transportation and preservation of evidence, post-mortem examinations and inquests.

Responsible for promoting understanding of program role with law enforcement stakeholders, the public and community groups across the province.

Analytical Thinking :

Leads and manages the development of strategies, programs and processes for the investigation and resolution of complaints against police across Ontario.

Develops and defines unit programs, services and research and identifies priorities to ensure an effective balance between casework, court appearances, professional development, lecturing, teaching and training

Analyzes issues that impact day-to-day business operations of the unit and ensures that all services are delivered in compliance with OPS policies and guidelines.

Interprets and draws conclusions and opinions within case and investigative discussions and in courts of law. Evaluates case and research reports, conclusions and opinions of staff who appear as expert witnesses and in selecting complex operational and research equipment.

Planning / Coordinating :

Leads and manages multi-year strategic business /program/service plans including the deployment of resources (human and financial) to deliver programs and services.

Coordinates and leads the planning and implementation of organizational development and complex change initiatives for the program, service, project or initiative.

Plans and coordinates multiple deliverables with external and internal stakeholders, partners and consultants.

Plans and manages the operations of a program where there is an ongoing evolution of technology requiring staff to constantly keep up to date with technology; establishes objectives and priorities and ensures the effective balance between casework and progress of research and training.

Develops policy for program examinations and plans, develops and selects unit examination methods, training tools and procedures to ensure accuracy of results.

Develops protocols for relevant examinations and works with quality assurance manager(s) in the development and implementation of protocols for quality assurance and quality control for this work.

Leads change management initiatives to implement strategic initiatives and continuous improvement of the investigations program.

Leadership/Guidance :

Develops, builds and leads organizational capacity through positive and values based leadership, inclusive and engaged teams, and partnerships. Frames program vision and strategy for services, programs or operations.

Determines human resources and organizational needs for optimal performance and delivery of results and alignment with ministry objectives; leads talent management and succession planning; mentors employees; sets goals and performance standards.

Exercises managerial and strategic leadership accountability and authority in the areas of organizational design, recruitment and retention, talent management, labour relations and compensation related matters.

Independence of Action :

Reports to a senior level, Director or higher and works within broad parameters and the strategic ministry/branch mandate, legislation, and strategic goals and directions.

Exercises considerable independence and judgment in the development of program/service plans including delivery/implementation to meet government and ministry strategic business objectives and priorities and in the provision of advice and recommendations to senior management and informs policy and program decisions.

Performs responsibilities within administrative, professional and budgetary guidelines and ministry/branch objectives, programs, policies and procedures.

Develops and implements investigative techniques to ensure ability to fulfill mandate and promote public confidence in policing across Ontario.

Develops expert opinion through research and analysis, and determines the relevance to the case or investigation, and prepare reports based on findings.

As the technical resource and authority, the position provides advice to clients and ministry on examinations performed in the unit and presents expert testimony in all levels of courts of law and other official hearings.

Interpersonal/Communication :

Provides expertise, directions, information and resolves problems of mutual concern for colleagues, associates and officials within the ministry

Builds key horizontal relationships with clients (e.g. Office of the Chief Coroner, OPP, municipal and regional police services, crown and defense attorneys, and other investigative agencies) to obtain and provide information, discuss examination findings, negotiate services, provide training and opinions in area of expertise at meetings, lectures and seminars, keep abreast of developments and with suppliers of scientific equipment and materials to acquire services and equipment

Provides expert testimony in courts of law as required on matters relating to the management of the unit and casework as required.

Ensures effective and timely briefing on emerging issues relating to ongoing investigations, prepares briefing materials, issues papers and reports to support the issues management process.

Liaises with the public and media regarding the results of investigations. Ensures decisions are accurately conveyed to the media, community groups and police groups.

Develops public reports of investigations, including recommendations for improved police conduct/ actions. Ensures transparency to the public and respecting the privacy and dignity of all stakeholders.

Delivers lectures and seminars to professional groups, stakeholders and occasionally the media.

Prepares and presents a range of complex technical materials including policy, procedures and research findings to stakeholders, both internally and externally.

Physical Effort :

Most of the time is spent in an office environment. Occasionally attends the scene of major occurrences to direct investigations which may be during day and night for extended periods with little rest or sleep.

Sensory Effort :

Requires visual attention and concentration to provide expert testimony in all levels of courts of law as well as planning and managing a range of program analyses and examinations on behalf of the unit.

Concentrated effort is required to provide independent scientific expertise by participating as a scientific advisor in the field of program examination during the investigative stage.

Working Conditions :

Work is performed in a typical office environment. Mandatory on-call work and on stand-by schedule on a rotating shift to assess reports of incidents, determine the appropriate response and provide adequate resources.

Exposure to distressing circumstances may be caused by the need to attend major occurrences for investigations.