Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide enforcement of natural resources and public safety related acts, regulations and policies. To provide technical advice and assistance to ministry staff and the public involved in various resource activities. To provide customer service to internal and external clients.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Enforcing resource management and public safety related legislation, regulations, authorities and case law (e.g. Fish Inspection Act, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, Fisheries Act, Criminal Code of Canada, Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Provincial Offences Act, Crown Forest Sustainability Act, Public Lands Act)
2. Responding to violations of legislation/regulations by conducting investigations, gathering evidence, completing legal documents, acting as an agent on behalf of the crown for court prosecutions, providing testimony in court. Participating in undercover and special investigations. Conducting regular audits/inspections of resource users, license issuers commercial operators (e.g. trappers, sport shops, aggregates companies), identifying, investigating and reporting on instances of non-compliance (e.g. use of illegal fish nets), apprehending violators (e.g. night hunters and/or careless hunters): and laying charges as appropriate.
3. Working with other enforcement agencies (e.g. Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Ontario Provincial Police, Municipal Police, Fisheries and Oceans and U.S. Law Enforcement, Ministry of Environment) and providing advice on enforcement of resource management related legislation/regulations, guidelines, policies and procedures.
4. Inputting daily enforcement activities and violations into computerized ministry activity reporting system, which gathers intelligence for monitoring, analysis and evaluation of trends. Completing enforcement reports and related documentation such as search warrant reports, Crown briefs.
5. Participating in and providing input into resource management activities (e.g. commercial fish harvesting, shoreline development, fisheries and wildlife habitat issues, fishing/hunting quotas). Liaising with ministry staff and various client groups, (e.g. Naturalists, Game and Fish Clubs, commercial fish industry, Aboriginal Peoples, agencies, forest industry, staff and the public) to educate them regarding resource programs.
6. Preparing and delivering presentations on MNR's compliance programs to client groups (e.g. fish and game clubs, naturalist groups and public schools). Providing advice, assistance and information to public, resource users, and special interest groups on delivery of resource management programs, legislation, specific enforcement issues and regulations (e.g. fishing quotas, types of fishing goods and equipment that comply with regulations).
7. Coordinating the activities of other officers, Deputy Conservation Officers, or volunteers who are carrying out investigations of potential violations that require a group effort concerning activities such as night hunting, fish runs and other hunting activities and inputting into annual operational plans by breaking down five-year plans and recommending problem areas, e.g. quota management.
8. Purchasing supplies and equipment using a purchasing card (e.g. body wear, gasoline, motors) and maintaining and securing government equipment (e.g. all-terrain vehicles, trucks, boats, restricted and other firearms, snowmobiles). Client property seized as evidence must be handled and stored safety (e.g. cars, boats, equipment).
9. The incumbent shall, while in the workplace, conduct themselves in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and any workplace practices as directed by their immediate supervisor. The incumbent shall report any hazards of which they are aware to their immediate supervisor.
10. Managers have the right to assign additional duties.

Staffing and Licencing :

Valid Class G driver's licence. Appointment as a Conservation Officer. Annual re-certification in the use of force and firearms training. Boat Operator certification. Current Standard First Aid certification, current “Pleasure Craft Operators Card” Proof of having passed Ontarios Hunting Licence Examination and having successfully completed the Canadian Firearms Safety Course or successfully challenging the exam.

Knowledge :

Job requires knowledge and understanding of enforcement provisions of natural resources management and other mandated legislation/regulations, policies (e.g. Fisheries Act, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, Fish Inspection Act, Crown Forest Sustainability Act, Public Lands Act and Provincial Offences Act.) Job requires knowledge of First Nations administrative structures, policies, procedures, guidelines and processes as outlined by the ministry in relation to First Nations as well as a thorough understanding of case law decisions that pertain to First Nations. Job requires knowledge of ministry resource management programs, in order to provide advice and information to the public and special interest groups; conduct audits and investigations and ensures compliance (e.g. firearms and ammunition allowed for hunting, nets allowed for sport and commercial fishing, types of nets and net sets used in the commercial fish industry, and limits on hunting/fishing of different species.) Job requires knowledge of case law, rules of evidence, lawful searches, seizures, inspections, arrest, court procedures and investigation methods, forensic evidence collection techniques in order to conduct investigations, prepare related legal documents, lay charges and provide testimony in court (e.g. species identification) and successfully prosecute violators. Job requires knowledge of computer software (e.g. ministry computerized activity reporting system) to enter and extract data. Job requires knowledge of operation/use of sport/commercial fishing equipment (e.g. firearms, archery equipment) to handle, inspect and advise on regulations governing use to groups, (e.g. game and fish clubs, commercial fishermen.) Job requires knowledge of use of firearms, defensive weapons (e.g. sidearms, batons, pepper spray) and restraint techniques to carry out enforcement duties, and restrain individuals if necessary, (e.g. use of force continuum model). Job requires knowledge of resource management practices such as identification of species and habitat requirements, fish and wildlife inventory techniques, commercial harvesting, site rehabilitation methods, to carry out fish and wildlife management activities as directed, to provide information to public and interest groups, and provide input into resource management programs (e.g. commercial fishing/hunting quotas, licence conditions.) Job requires knowledge of the Criminal Code of Canada and Charter of Rights and Freedoms to carry out peace officer responsibilities. Job requires knowledge of survival skills to work safely alone in remote areas (e.g. orienteering, navigation and first aid.) Job requires knowledge of audit and inspection processes and procedures to conduct audits and inspections of clients (e.g. commercial fishermen, license issuers, commercial bait-fish establishments, commercial fur harvesters and dealers, big game outfitters, industrial resource extractors, (e.g. timber harvest and pits and quarry extractions). Job requires knowledge of worker responsibilities as outlined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Skills :

Job requires analyzing and evaluating activities for compliance with natural resources management and other mandated legislation/regulations, (e.g.. Fisheries Act, by investigating complaints/violations Job requires analytical skills to gather information and evidence by inspecting sites, interviewing witnesses or potential violators, consolidating and assessing information in relation to legislation/regulations, case law, identifying nature of violation or non-compliance and determining appropriate follow-up, (e.g. laying charges, issuing warnings, advising on regulatory requirements), to present evidence in court including reviewing and referring to case law, and in conducting audits of commercial operators and advising on procedures and standards required to ensure compliance; to provide input to resource management programs, such as information on impact of fishing quotas, impact of specific shoreline development on wildlife habitats; and to analyze five-year plans in order to provide input into annual plans by identifying problem areas and recommending action. Job requires oral and written communication skills to provide information on provincial natural resources management programs, legislation, policies, and guidelines to public, user groups and other enforcement agencies, through patrol contacts, meetings and presentations at fairs, shows, conferences and schools; to conduct interviews to gather evidence and to provide testimony in court on evidence collected and observations made during course of investigation; and to complete legal documents, assist with crown briefs, prepare occurrence reports, and letters in response to requests for information on various programs. Job requires the ability to meet Ministry of Natural Resources approved use of force qualifications, specifically, the ability to qualify with ministry issue sidearm and shotgun, ability to qualify with batons, pepper spray, and empty-hand, self-defense techniques. Job requires interpersonal, and negotiating skills to reach a peaceful solution in volatile situations (e.g. arrest and seizing of evidence.) Job requires interpersonal skills to promote acceptance, understanding and compliance with natural resources management programs and policies, when dealing with violators of related legislation/regulations, and when presenting information at shows, fairs and to various groups (e.g. fish/game clubs, Ontario Commercial Fisheries Association, First Nations and multi-cultural groups.) Job requires planning and coordination skills to schedule own activities and time to conduct audits/inspections of commercial operators; to conduct investigations of complaints or potential violations within specific time frames; to follow up by preparing related reports, legal documents, attending courts and to coordinate the activities of other officers, Deputy Conservation Officers and/or volunteers who are carrying out investigations of potential violations which require a group effort (e.g. activities such as night hunting, fish runs, road checks.)

Freedom of Action :

Job requires working within policies, directives and procedures outlined in ministry compliance policies and procedures manual, and legislation/regulations governing natural resources management, (e.g. Fisheries Act, Fish Inspection Act, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, Crown Forest Sustainability Act, Criminal Code of Canada and Provincial Offences Act.) Job requires making decisions in locations away from supervisor by determining what enforcement response is required when dealing with violations of legislation (e.g. laying charges, issuing warnings, issuing orders, making seizures, conducting searches and inspections) and determining whether to arrest, use physical intervention or lethal force. Job requires identifying instances of non-compliance when conducting regular audits/checks of natural resource users and commercial operators and determining appropriate follow-up, (e.g. whether to provide advice on proper procedures, issue warning, revoking licence or issuing authority.) Activities are recorded through weekly updates to ministry compliance/violation reporting system, which provides information on officer activities, charges laid, where violations occur, contacts made and equipment used. Job requires referring non-routine problems such as investigations involving issues and resources receiving media attention, search warrants, workload and patrolling problems in area to supervisor/manager. Work is performed as a team player in a team environment.