Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

Under the direction of the Park Superintendent, plans and coordinates the administrative, operation, maintenance and development programs in a Provincial park. Participates in the implementation of the Ministry's “Our Sustainable Future” and Results Based Planning initiatives.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Preamble: In a Level B park, assists in the providing earth, life science and resource management, heritage protection, recreational and natural programming associated with provincially significant natural/recreational features as well as significant public issues management, the incumbent is responsible for:
1. Planning, coordinating and implementing assigned work programs for the park identifying outputs and associated funding requirements, giving consideration to ecosystem protection and management and the requirements of various resource management and environmental acts, regulations and policies. Prepares reviews and updates maintenance, public safety, visitor services, enforcement and marketing plans.
2. Develops standards of operation, manages the implementation of the short and long term plans and evaluates effectiveness and efficiency upon implementation.
3. Supervises subordinate staff in a team environment including the conduct of selection processes, identifying and providing training and development, assigning work and targets, conducting performance appraisals, taking disciplinary action and responding to grievances at the first stage. Ensures workplace discrimination and harassment policy requirements are carried out including employee training, complaint handling and resolution.
4. Prepares tenders and purchases materials, maintains expenditure control against allocated budget, administers service contracts and concession agreements.
5. Participates in the preparation and updating of parks risk management plan and directs the implementation of action identified to ensure Ministry's duty of care with respect to public use of the park is adequately met.
6. Oversees capital development and major maintenance projects, as assigned, to ensure cost effective implementation of plans for facilities and recreational areas.
7. Monitor park programs through an audit process to ensure compliance with cash handling policies, Natural Heritage Education Program guidelines, compliance with accepted enforcement practices and techniques and regard for employee and public safety.
8. The incumbent shall work in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations and any workplace practices as directed by the employer; ensure employees know their roles and responsibilities under the OHSA, and have job descriptions and performance development plans (PDPs) that reflect appropriate performance requirements; ensure that equipment, materials and protective devices are provided, maintained and used as required in the OHSA and Regulations; ensure a healthy and safe workplace is provided to employees through proactive hazard recognition, evaluation and control; 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; advise workers of any hazards, and any actual and potential danger in the workplace and the required precautions, of which the supervisor is aware; ensure that where work is not carried out by the ministry, the ministry recognizes and manages any health and safety duties as an owner, employer, or constructor as defined under the OHSA; respond in a timely manner to health and safety concerns raised by employees; conduct an initial investigation into a work refusal under the Occupational Health and Safety Act; where appropriate in the circumstances, apply or recommend discipline up to and including dismissal, in response to safety infractions; consider health and safety in hiring decisions for positions with supervisory responsibilities; investigate a work-related accident.
Addendum: Data
Specifics for Earle Rowe Provincial Park
- large recreational class park system
- up to 49 seasonal/contract staff
- approximately $879,000 in revenue
budget $820,000

Knowledge :

Position requires knowledge of the resource and ecosystem management principles, practices and procedures to prepare annual work programs. Thorough knowledge of park management policies, procedures and standards as well as knowledge of Acts and regulations pertaining to the parks and recreational areas program including the Provincial Parks Act and regulations, the Liquor License Act, Environmental Assessment Act, Environmental Protection Act and the Environmental Bill of Rights is necessary to short and long term plans and implement assigned resource management and operational programs. Thorough knowledge of policies, procedures, guidelines and agreements respecting the management of a large number of staff. Good organizational and supervisory skills to manage staff, identify and provide training, evaluate performance and take disciplinary action as necessary. Knowledge of enforcement related legislation, policies and procedures such as: The Trespass to Private Property Act, The Liquor Control Act, The Criminal Code, and the Provincial Parks Act to manage the parks enforcement program. Familiarity with work program planning systems to estimate costs of maintenance and construction projects, establish objectives and set priorities, control expenditures in order to achieve targets within budget limits and negotiating contracts. Familiarity with negotiation skills to negotiate service contracts. Good understanding of ministry and OPS policies, procedures and guidelines respecting concession operations, store management, tendering and service contracts, capital contract management, as well as, basic knowledge of trades and the ability to understand site development and construction plans and specifications. Communication, interpersonal and partnership development skills are required to deal effectively with interest groups, public, media, other government agencies (e.g. OPP, MOE) and staff including the management and resolution of issues. Good knowledge of relevant legislation and policies that address Workplace Discrimination and Harassment as well as the Collective Agreement to understand and ensure employee rights and entitlements. Working knowledge of safe drinking water regulations and associated water testing protocols with the applicable water system. An understanding of emergency planning, response and protocol requirements to ensure health and safety of park visitors and staff in the parks. Good working knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the regulations that apply to the work; knowledge of any potential or actual danger to health or safety in the workplace; familiar with the ministry work-related accident reporting process and the injury management strategy; knowledge of the MBS Health and Safety Directive and other corporate and ministry specific health and safety policies and programs. Knowledge of applicable computer software applications including WIN, Camis, Parks Statistics System (PSS), Outlook, the Internet etc. and policies and procedures surrounding the appropriate use of expanding information based technology

Judgement :

Position works under the direction of the Park Superintendent with access to pertinent acts, regulations, guidelines, policies and collective agreements and Zone specialists. Judgement is exercised in determining seasonal staffing and budget requirements, work schedules, training needs, work program priorities and implementation, equipment and supply purchasing to meet park operational commitments within allotted budgets. Judgement is exercised in developing tenders, reviewing proposals, monitoring contractors to ensure satisfactory implementation and completion of projects/programs/services within terms and conditions of agreements as well as resolving issues with same (e.g. capital development projects, enforcement, maintenance, concession and facilities in a number of parks). Judgement is required to plan, coordinate and implement emergency planning, special work programs and projects in conjunction with sponsors and outside agencies and balance scheduling and output to ensure compatibility with park operations, ecosystem considerations, management plans and objectives. Judgement is required to enforce legislation against park violators, handle camper disputes and complaints, manage employee performance, assess efficiency and effectiveness of programs, meet employer and supervisor responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, schedule staff to meet visitor demand, exercising budgetary control in assigned areas of responsibility and in responding to emergencies which occur in the park (e.g. drowning, water mishaps, camping accidents). Judgement is required in determining and undertaking actions to ensure the Ministry's duty of care under the Occupier's Liability Act is met. Sound judgement is required to ensure that safe drinking water is maintained in strict compliance to MOE regulations so that safe drinking water is available to park visitors and staff. Judgement is required in ensuring the workplace is free of discrimination and harassment in accordance with OPS policies and in meeting employer and supervisor responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Accountability - Programs :

Accountable for planning, coordinating, controlling and implementing assigned programs within a Class “B” Park including planning, controllership, revenue, facilities, services, recreation, enforcement, capital improvement, etc. in accordance with Acts, regulations, policies and procedures as well as ecological and resource management principles.

Accountability – Personnel :

Directly supervises 13 seasonal staff and indirectly approximately 10 seasonal/contract staff. Exercises full managerial functions including hiring, performance management, discipline, and responding to stage 1 grievances. Accountable for ensuring the provisions of the Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Policy are complied with in the workplace. Position is accountable to ensure workers receive information and instruction to protect their health and safety, including task-specific direction related to the performance of their work; ensure that hazard controls are in place and used to effectively protect the worker; ensure that a Joint Health and Safety Committee or Health and Safety Representative, as appropriate under the OHSA, is established and provided assistance and co-operation.

Accountability - Finance and Materials :

Accountable for budget and revenue estimates for assigned work programs, maintaining budgetary control over significant allotment of funds, ensuring park operational activities are carried out in a business like fashion in accordance with the 5 year business plan. Responsible for maintaining appropriate and accurate financial records to ministry standards. Responsible for the acquisition, operation and maintenance for park equipment, vehicles, facilities, and contractors. Responsible for selecting contractors and monitoring of contracted services.

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

Failure to provide effective and efficient program delivery could result in personal injury, illness, fatalities to staff and visitors from equipment/water treatment, vandalism, and possible legal action, the waste or loss of revenue and/or public monies, angry visitors and stakeholder groups, poor staff morale, negative media attention resulting in poor MNR image, deterioration, damage to or loss of valuable ecological resources resulting in charges and/or legal action (e.g. OHSA, Environmental Bill of Rights, Environmental Assessment Act). Failure to provide a healthy and safe workplace for employees could result in: work-related accidents or illnesses, higher WSIB claim costs for the organization, and the potential for Ministry of Labour orders or prosecutions.

Contact - Internal :

Frequent contact with Superintendent regarding normal business/operations planning. Regular contacts with various Ontario Government Ministries and agencies (e.g. OPP, MOE, MTR, MOH, local court offices) to acquire services and information to support program delivery and/or deal with enforcement or water quality issues; Regular contact with other agencies including Ambulance Services, Fire Services, to develop a comprehensive approach to emergency planning and management for the purpose of first aid response, critical incident management, road closures and disaster planning; regular contacts with Zone Managers and specialists, staff of other parks and district staff to coordinate activities, obtain information and advice on resource management issues, exchange information and develop proposals and recommendations.

Contact - External :

Regularly with the public, agencies, local residents, municipalities, interest groups, schools and clubs, the business community, media, private camps and resort operators to deal with complaints and issues, arrange services, plan and organize activities, reach agreements. Frequently with suppliers and contractors to purchase materials and equipment, arrange for services, provide guidance, audit quality of performance and compliance with conditions.