Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

Provides the Forest Division with research, program and policy support to identify new and emerging opportunities for the development of a new forest bioeconomy and aid in the development, coordination & transfer of strategies, policies, programs, guidelines and legislation.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Provide policy and program advice and expertise to senior management, field operations, management partners and client groups related to the transfer, interpretation and application of existing and proposed strategies, policies, agreements, programs, guidelines and legislation related to new and emerging forest bioeconomy opportunities or initiatives.
2. Provide policy and program advice and expertise to senior management on forest policy implications of implementing a forest bioeconomy.
3. Lead the development, implementation and periodic review or update of Ontario's Forest Biolibre Guide, ensuring consistency with existing forest policy and program direction.
4. Coordinate and conduct research, analysis and environmental scanning to identify and support the exploration, development and implementation of new and emerging forest bioconversion technologies, systems, and concepts.
5. Provide advice on effective integration of new and emerging technologies into other Ministry and provincial programs, promote policy integration and coordination, resolve shared mandates and foster partnerships by liaising with other sections, branches, divisions, provincial Ministries (e.g. OMAFRA, MOE, MMAH, MNDM, MEDD, federal departments (Natural Resources Canada, Environment Canada), industry, academia, researchers, agencies, partners and clients on technologies, policies and programs to advance the forest bioeconomy.
6. Provide expert technical support to the ministry and, where necessary, to other ministries that undertake reviews or evaluations of proposed projects using bioconversion technologies for Ontario's forest resources.
7. Assist Forest Division and field staff in the development of training and communications products, such as new development and monitoring guidelines, competency training packages, and presentations on forest policy matters related to the government's bioeconomy strategy, for a variety of internal and external stakeholders and clients.
8. Represent provincial or Ministry forest bioeconomy interests on multi-disciplinary ministerial, inter-ministerial, inter-agency, national, and international task teams, committees, and working groups.
9. Prepare briefing notes, background papers and analysis to ensure the Minister and senior management are prepared when meeting with stakeholders or other government agencies.
10. Other duties as assigned.

11. NOTE: The incumbent shall, while in the workplace, conduct themselves in compliance with the OH&S Act and any workplace practices as directed by their immediate supervisor, and in accordance with the Internal Responsibility System as outlined in the OH&S Act.

Knowledge :

• Applied scientific or engineering expertise and experience with forest biomass bioconversion technologies to provide advice to MNR and parties interested in using Ontario's forest resources.
• Advanced knowledge of forest legislation, regulations, policies, programs and related regulatory mechanisms, and the theory and practices of forest management in Ontario to develop and coordinate effective strategies, policies, agreements, programs and guidelines.
• Sound knowledge of the forest sector and its significance regionally and globally, emerging trends and competitiveness related to the forest and emerging bioproducts / bioenergy sectors to provide advice and policy direction.
• Knowledge of analytical, problem solving techniques, data and information analysis and interpretation techniques and software such as word processing, spreadsheets, presentation and project management tools to support policy, program, and strategic development and the provision of related policy advice.
• Knowledge of project management techniques, team leadership and participation, group facilitation and communication, consultation techniques and negotiation to provide effective input to a variety of Ministry bioeconomy policy and strategic development initiatives, in a multi-disciplinary team environment.
• Knowledge and awareness of the Government agenda and corporate MNR direction to provide program leadership as it relates to ecosystem and natural resource management.
• Knowledge of worker responsibilities as outlined in the OH&S Act.

Skills :

• Well-developed analytical and evaluation skills for planning, evaluating and recommending policies and programs in the context of changing trends in renewable and alternative energy systems.
• Well-developed problem-solving skills when exploring policy options and making recommendations
• Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills (e.g., judgement, tact and diplomacy) to gather and exchange information on and explain program/policy issues and initiatives when conducting research, consulting with stakeholders and liaising with staff from other ministries, agencies and jurisdictions and to present and illustrate program/policy options to other Section staff, project team members, managers and senior managers.
• Excellent writing skills to prepare summaries of research and findings, develop reports and briefing materials on recommended program/policy options and implementation strategies
• Well developed liaison, facilitation, networking and communications skills to consult and negotiate with Ministry staff, industry, academia, researchers and stakeholders regarding an emerging bioeconomy

Freedom of Action :

• Working within recognized practices and methods of resource management legislation, policies, programs and strategic directions in the provision of policy interpretation and advice to senior management and management partners.
• Exercises latitude for decision-making by: determining scope of research required to address program/policy issues; determining technical parameters of research and techniques required/appropriate to conducting analyses of data and developing findings and conclusions in the development of recommended policy, strategic and program directions.
• Work is reviewed by program coordinator, other senior staff specialists, or manager for soundness of research and analytical methods selected, timeframes identified for carrying out assignments and reasonableness of findings and conclusions.
• Refers to coordinator or manager situations such as impact of inadequate resources on progress of assignments and analysis, findings which may have significant implications for existing programs/policies and need for clarification of overall project/program goals and objectives