Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

Under the direction of the Park Superintendent assists in the planning, development and management of all aspects of park business, resource management, operations, and concessions. Plans, coordinates, manages and controls the operation of assigned recreational, maintenance and development programs in the park. Participates in the implementation of the Ministry's 'Our Sustainable Future' aid Results Based Planning initiatives.

Duties / Responsibilities :

In a large Level A Provincial Park which include complex ecosystems, resources management and high value resources, and related public interest issues, significant ongoing natural, cultural and recreational programming associated with a provincially significant natural/cultural features the incumbent is responsible for:

1. Planning, organizing and delivering work activities associated with the administration, operation, maintenance and development of the park(s) and provides input into park(s) development and management plans taking into consideration the interests of stakeholder groups regarding sensitive resource management and ecological issues. Manage park land uses to ensure compliance with park land use objectives while showing regard for the protection of park lands, and the promotion of natural and recreation heritage values.

2. Participates and/or leads the preparation, review and updating of short and long term plans for the park such as resource management, maintenance, public safety, business planning, cash receiving, security, signage and water quality. Develops business cases supporting capitol development and revenue generation initiatives that are a component of the 5-year business plan for the park.

3. Prepares annual work plan and develops standards of operation for the delivery of assigned park programs; identifying outputs and associated funding requirements and evaluating effectiveness and efficiency e.g. park maintenance, gate operation, park retail operations.

4. 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.

5. Prepares tenders, evaluates proposals and administers service contracts and concession agreements including the resolution of issues e.g. enforcement, capital development; purchases materials, maintains expenditure control against allocated budget, administers service contracts and concession agreements.

6. Operation, maintenance and control of a water system in compliance with MOE certificate of approval and safe drinking water regulations.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. Participates as a member of Park Operational Teams, Zone Management Teams, Health and Safety Committees as a management representative as well as emergency services and recreational planning groups. Taking enforcement action as required as a Park Warden involving serious/sensitive violations. Acting as Park Superintendent during absences as required.

Knowledge :

Position requires a good knowledge of resource management principles; ecosystem management and sustainability theories and issues; relevant environmental legislation (i.e. Environmental Protection Act, Environmental Assessment Act, Environmental Bill of Rights) and Natural heritage values in order to prepare short and long term plans, manage and supervise assigned park programs in multiple parks as well as protect unique and nationally threatened and rare habitats. 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. Knowledge of Ministry's and Parks financial guidelines and controllership principles to prepare annual work program plans and develop assigned components of the 5 year business plans, estimate costs of maintenance and construction projects, control expenditures in order to achieve targets within budget limits. Familiarity with obligations under the Occupiers Liability Act associated with the management of users. 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 and Conservation Reserves Act to manage the parks enforcement program. Strong ability to plan, co-ordinate, organize and manage human, financial and material resources in order to achieve a variety of program objectives (e.g. recreational, business management, resources and ecosystem management) and to supervise and develop a large staff. Strong communication, interpersonal, negotiation 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, such as, Workplace Discrimination and Harassment, WHMIS, WSIB, 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 planning 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, Everest, 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, co-ordinate 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 exercised in responding to and answering park user/cottage owner/interest group complaints and enforcing regulations as required by warning, evicting, laying charges, calling in O.P.P. Judgement is required in responding to all emergencies, contentious issues, and situations which may occur inside or outside the park boundaries involving members of the public, staff, interest groups, media (such as, deer herd reductions, water fowl hunts, cormorant controls, first nations treaty issues, drowning, camper accidents, etc.) 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 to develop recommendations for the revision of local park policies and procedures. 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 Act.

Accountability - Programs :

Accountable for planning, co-ordinating, controlling and implementing assigned programs within a Class 'A' Park including business 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 seasonal staff in the areas of maintenance, enforcement and concessions. 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. Ensure employees are appropriately trained to carry out their work safely and that hazard controls are in place and effectively protect the worker. 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, developing assigned business planning components, 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 developing tenders, scrutinizing proposals 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 and failure to meet program objectives, 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 :

Regular contacts with various Ontario Government Ministries and agencies (e.g. OPP, Ontario Hydro, MOE, MOT, MTR, MCCR,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, Town bi-Law offices 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 :

Frequent contacts with the public, local residents, interest groups, stakeholders, local business community associations, emergency services organizations to provide information, discuss park services, resolve issues, negotiate agreements, coordinate special events, deal with critical incidents. Regular contacts with park contractors to review performance ensure compliance with agreements and resolve problems. Regular contact with municipal officials to ensure effective and comprehensive approaches and strategies for garbage removal and litter clean up, road and works department initiatives, joint projects including cooperative infrastructure programs. Maintains regular contact with local tourist organizations including the Chamber of Commerce, Community Development Officer to ensure event coordination and compliance with provincial policies. Occasional contact with the media to provide information, review contentious issues related to park use, conflicts, promotion and education.