Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

Contributes to the measurable advancement of sustainable resource management in the Northeast Region as a Fisheries Population Specialist within a multi-disciplinary team. Plans, organizes and conducts science projects in support of an integrated program of science and knowledge acquisition, synthesis and transfer. Provides scientific and professional expertise and leadership in the development, calibration, and use of population models, harvest estimation, and allocation tools and the development, refinement and implementation of population monitoring and assessment techniques.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Participates in the development and implementation of an integrated science and information program in Northeast Region by:
* contributing to the development of 3-5 year strategic plans
* developing annual workplans and status reports
* participating in science working groups and committees
* preparing budget proposals and monitoring expenditures
* ensuring that fisheries population science and monitoring priorities are identified and communicated.
2. Identifies the science and information required by resource practitioners relative to fisheries population management and monitoring, and the conservation of aquatic diversity by:
* liaising with local resource management practitioners, including staff from MNR Districts and other resource management partners.
* identifying and analyzing resource management and assessment problems (e.g. the potential impacts of proposed fishing regulations on population sustainability)
* facilitating focus groups and client input forums
* establishing and maintaining regional priorities listings
3. Identifies the best existing science, knowledge, information, and technology available to meet the needs of resource management practitioners relative to fisheries population monitoring and management, and the conservation of aquatic diversity by:
* Maintaining active liaison and partnerships with researchers, science specialists, and experts within the ministry, other government agencies and jurisdictions, and the scientific, academic, and resource management communities.
* Conducting reviews and synthesizing information from scientific and resource management literature (e.g. factors influencing year class strength in walleye)
* Attending and in some cases organizing meetings, workshops, conferences, and symposia involving local, national, and international participants
* Liaising with resource practitioners within the MNR as well as in other jurisdictions
4. Develops and refines practices, standards, and tools related to fisheries population, their monitoring and management and the conservation of aquatic diversity by:
* Designing, implementing, and coordinating field trials, experimental management projects, case studies, and other investigative projects in concert with other team members and in cooperation with other researchers and specialists from other agencies and jurisdictions.
* Analyzing and reporting on existing datasets collected through operational monitoring and assessment programs
* Ensuring the soundness of content, statistical design, analytical procedures, and scientific review of projects through appropriate tactical plans.
* Participates on project / task teams to develop agreement on practices, standards, and resource management guides.
5. Transfers existing science, knowledge, information and technology related to fisheries populations, their monitoring and management, and the conservation of aquatic diversity by:
* Delivering workshops and training sessions (e.g. Standardized Index Netting Procedures for Inland Lakes)
* Providing direct technical assistance in the use and interpretation of science and information (e.g. assessment of fish populations for specific waterbodies)
* Reviewing current literature and communicating relevant information to clients in a timely manner
* Publishing the results of literature reviews, field trials and other investigative projects in a variety of media including, scientific journals, technical reports and technical notes, as well as newsletters and popular magazines
* Packaging existing science and information for a variety of audiences to assist field practitioners in dealing with their clients (e.g. presentations on fish population status and sustainability, development of State of the Resource
Reports)
6. Provides advice and guidance to resource practitioners on fisheries population management and conservation of biological diversity by:
* Responding to ad-hoc queries
* Reviewing fisheries management plans and strategies
* Providing on-site assistance
* Participating in regional and provincial task teams and committees (e.g. Broadscale Fisheries Monitoring
Implementation Team)

Managers have the right to assign additional duties.

Staffing and Licensing :

Valid Driver's Licence.

Knowledge :

Job requires advanced knowledge of the theory, principles and practices of aquatic ecosystem management, fisheries population ecology and management, fish physiology and behavior, monitoring and biometrics to identify science needs, develop new practices, technologies and transfer science, information and tools to Ministry staff (e.g. the development and refinement of new standard index netting protocols for riverine systems.
Job requires knowledge of resource management legislation, regulations, policies and guidelines relative to Ontario [e.g. Environmental Bill of Rights, Environmental Assessment Act, Federal Fisheries Act, SPOF II] in order to develop technology, standards, techniques and tools consistent with the needs of resource managers and Government Legislation [e.g. identification of science needs associated with environmental assessment processes].
Job requires knowledge of scientific methods such as experimental design and statistical analysis in order to design, organize and implement science and monitoring projects and to advise on internal and external clients projects (e.g. by conducting statistically sound analyses of population responses to new fishing regulations).
Job requires knowledge of computer software including word processing, data management, spreadsheets, and statistical analysis programs in order to access and analyze information, prepare scientific reports/technical papers, publications and presentations.

Skills :

Job requires analytical/organizational skills to determine client needs by leading working groups and workshops, interviewing staff and researching available scientific/technical information to meet those needs, (e.g. organizing facilitating a regional / provincial workshop to determine how to interpret lake productivity data in concert with standardized population sampling protocols).
Job requires analytical and problem-solving skills to clarify problems, evaluate options and identify approaches to address fisheries population management problems (e.g. leading the development of fisheries toolkits for population management and assessment).
Job requires interpreting /synthesizing to translate information from scientific studies into solutions by developing guidelines and recommendations.
Job requires excellent written communication skills to provide input to strategic and operational plans, scientific publications/reports and prepare project proposals and status reports.
Job requires excellent oral communication skills to present project/program proposals to clients, partners and Ministry staff; transfer science and technology in symposia and workshops; provide guidance and advice to partners/clients.
Job requires interpersonal skills to facilitate cooperation between researchers, clients and partners (e.g. development of collaborative studies involving researchers and specialists from government as well as academia and first nation resource management specialists to determine significance of different mortality factors on sea-run brook trout in northern rivers).

Freedom of Action :

Job requires working within legislation, regulations, policies and program standards governing natural resource management and research in Ontario [e.g. Federal Fisheries Act, Act, Public Lands Act, Environmental Assessment Act] and within recognized technical and scientific procedures and practices for surveying and research [e.g. sampling methods and standards].
Job requires making decisions to determine and prepare work program/project plans, budget submissions and schedules using input from program clients, research scientists, peers and other research interests in accordance with policies, directives and administrative practices.
Job requires consulting/liaising with supervisors, collaborators and clients to develop and refine project directions and plans.
Job requires communicating project implementation strategies and project progress to supervisors, collaborators and clients to ensure broader resource program goals and directions are met and links to other science and technology programs are made.
Job requires referring only unusual situations such as requirement for increased budget to supervisor or possible conflict with accepted scientific or technical methodologist to research community.