Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

As a member of the Park Team, under the general supervision of Park Management, to plan, prepare and lead educational/learning, cultural heritage, and ecological integrity monitoring/restoration strategies and programs. To integrate park communication and stewardship activities with fish, wildlife and species at risk strategies. To provide ecological and cultural expertise for the planning and management of the park. To provide group leadership and training to staff.

Duties / Responsibilities :

The incumbent shall:
Develop, coordinate and deliver educational/learning plans, strategies, products, and programs on natural and cultural features within the park and provide support to other parks in the zone as directed.
Design and implement scientifically sound ecological integrity monitoring, management, stewardship and restoration programs pursuant to Park Management Policy and Provincial Policies.
To effectively interpret and communicate ecological and cultural information about the park to park staff, visitors and Ontarians through a variety of approaches including programs, signage, media, including social media, and publications using proven educational and interpretive techniques.
To manage natural and cultural heritage information, data, specimens and artefacts in accordance with park and provincial policies.
To support and/or coordinate ecological, social or cultural research and restoration projects in the provincial park.
To provide advice to the park management team on the maintenance and sustainability of park ecological and cultural values.
Assist Park Management in identifying human and fiscal resources; assist in maintaining expenditure control against assigned budget; assist in planning human resources requirements.
To work in a cooperative and coordinated way with Zone, Branch office, and other MNRF staff.
Providing input into the review of development proposals, grants, environmental assessments, park plan amendments, secondary management plans, and other park or provincial policy as required.
Coordinate the training, selection and assignment of volunteers working at park events, festivals, restoration and research projects.
Provide group leadership and training to fixed term staff as required.
Reporting on and improving the effectiveness of educational, learning and ecological programs and events through evaluations, critiques, report writing, and adaptive management.
Assist other members of the Park team during peak workload periods; assist in other ministry program areas as required by Park Management; conduct other duties as assigned.
Maintaining contact and working relationships with Indigenous communities, special interest groups and coordinating Ministry involvement with volunteers and volunteer groups such as cooperating associations.
Work in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its Regulations and any workplace practices as directed by the employer. The incumbent shall ensure that workers take precautions to protect the health and safety of themselves and others by complying with such acts, codes, policies, procedures or accepted workplace practices as may be appropriate. The incumbent shall advise workers of actual and potential dangers in the workplace and the required precautions.

Staffing and Licensing :

Ability to work shifts, including nights, weekends and statutory holidays as per schedule.
Ability to work in inclement weather.
Ability to travel extended distances by vehicle to support programming.
Ability to achieve certification in public speaking and/or interpretation.
Valid Class 'G' Driver's Licence.
Valid Emergency First Aid Certificate or ability to obtain.

Knowledge :

Position requires in depth knowledge of communication and interpretive principles, theory, techniques, and practices (including traditional and/or inquiry based learning techniques).
Position requires in depth knowledge of the natural and cultural history of Ontario including ecological integrity monitoring and reporting principles and procedures as they apply to provincial parks.
Position requires thorough understanding of the theories, principles and practices of conservation biology (including ecological restoration) and of relevant legislation, policies and procedures.
Position requires a good understanding of relevant acts, regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines (e.g. Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, Endangered Species Act, Provincial Park Policies, and Procedures).
Strong group leadership, presentation, interpersonal and oral and written communication skills. Strong analytical, negotiating and conceptual skills.
Ability to write, produce or coordinate scientific, technical and plain language reports, media and communication products (including social media and video products) and interpretive products.
Position requires knowledge of tools and technologies for implementing educational opportunities to a wide range of audiences through social media, technology and other platform based programs
Knowledge of and ability to operate, maintain and perform minor adjustments/repairs to various field (e.g. GPS locators, all-terrain vehicles) and audio visual and photography equipment.
Ability to prepare long-range plans, prepare budgets, verify projects and complete cost analyses and reports.
Job requires knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, database, design and presentation software as well as ability to learn Ontario government automated systems such as IFIS, WIN, electronic mail and office administrative processes and procedures.
Position requires knowledge of worker responsibilities outlined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act and those regulations made under the Act that apply to the workplace and the work being performed.

Skills :

Position requires very strong public speaking and presentation skills, as well as strong group leadership, interpersonal and oral and written
communication skills. Strong analytical, negotiating and conceptual skills.
Ability to transfer complex ecological concepts and/or cultural information in an engaging way through a variety of media including scientific and technical reports, interpretive programs and products, video, and social media.
Position requires ability to use personal computers including word-processing, record-keeping (e.g. databases), presentation, internet and electronic mail software applications and social media platforms.
Positions requires the ability to identify and interpret natural and cultural features.
Position requires analytical skills to identify environmental and visitation trends, pressures, gaps, and opportunities and give priority based on
knowledge of subject matter or by discussing with other experts.
Position requires incumbent to communicate effectively with the Park Superintendent and report on work progress on a continual basis.
Position requires sufficient physical coordination and dexterity to permit working in a variety of terrains and climatic conditions.

Freedom of Action :

The position reports to a manager and works within established processes and frameworks in order to deliver program/service and unit objectives.
The position requires dealing independently with issues/problems related to the education, learning and ecological monitoring programs.
Ongoing updates are to be provided to Park Management and through regular meetings and frequent discussions; annual targets are reviewed periodically to ensure progress and to deal with problem areas and anticipated target shortfalls.