Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

Lead management planning and co-ordinate the implementation of management program for Fisheries Management Zone 20 (Lake Ontario and the upper St. Lawrence River). Acts as a liaison with other management bodies (districts, regions, other provincial, federal and international agencies). Provides professional and administrative leadership for lake-wide programs.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Job is part of the Lake Ontario Management Unit team which plans and implements a bi-national fisheries management program which includes fisheries biology, ecology, wildlife biology, local and lake-wide planning.

This position will:

1: develop management plans and programs based upon Lake Ontario management goals, objectives, and priorities by:

•communicating with a wide array of individuals and organizations to obtain feedback and confirmation on programs, objectives and related policies;
•reviewing specific areas of management concern, researching and preparing an analysis of options, their implications and develop proposed resolutions;
•preparing lake reports and guidelines based upon analysis of inventory, assessment and index studies (fisheries, habitat, wildlife, wetland &, socioeconomics, etc.);
•reviewing the scientific literature and participating in scientific conferences, seminars and meetings to ensure a level of understanding sufficient to establish a lake-wide ecosystem approach and associated guidelines;
•developing and planning for the implementation of aquatic habitat protection and community restructuring including participation in the development of a strategic planning framework for habitat protection;
•participating in multi-agency lake-wide resource management planning at the provincial, federal and international level (eg.development of fish community objectives through the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission and lake-wide management plans under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement); leads MNR involvement to multi-agency aquatic resource protection and rehabilitation (eg. through Remedial Action Plans with MOE, DFO and stakeholder groups; fish community restructuring in concert with New York DEC).
•acting as a team leader for the fisheries management functions in the Lake Ontario Management Unit, providing leadership to other management biologists and the planning biologist, as well as advice and leadership on management matters to assessment and compliance staff.

2. Provides lake-wide expertise in the management of fisheries, wildlife, wetlands, habitat and resource rehabilitation by:
•integrating lake activities and objectives with the rest of the lake team including operations, compliance and assessment;
•performing a leadership role in fisheries and habitat protection and rehabilitation;
•developing technically sound programs and associated targets to achieve objectives;
•participating in stock status determination, modelling exercises, socio-economic analysis, quota and harvest control programs, and allocation decision-making.
•provides fisheries management leadership and expertise to district-based area teams, with emphasis on developing standards and guidelines to ensure a co-ordinated, team approach to aquatic habitat and fish community protection and rehabilitation.


3. Performs public relations and extension duties by:
•responding to inquiries related to the lake management program from internal and external clients including replies to new and/or controversial developments;
•participating in the establishment of assessment requirements and regulatory practices;
•developing and participating in partnerships (example CFIP, catch sampling, habitat assessment, etc. and participating in public advisory and liaison committees;
•discussing Lake Ontario management activities with the public resource users and the media including the international community.

4 Shall work in compliance with the provisions of the Health and Safety Act and regulations and any workplace practices as directed by the Manager and in accordance with Internal Responsibility System as outlines in the 0.1-1.&S. Act

Staffing and Licencing :

Valid Class G driver's licence or equivalent as recognized by the Province of Ontario

Knowledge :

Job requires knowledge of relevant Ministry resource management policies, provincial legislation and federal legislation Job requires demonstrated experience in management planning and operational policy development including regulation development procedures. Job requires knowledge of current biological/ecological science and principles related to Great Lakes fisheries and aquatic ecosystems, resource management practices and planning approaches. Job requires knowledge of personal computer technology and software (e.g. Word, Power Point, Excel). Job requires knowledge of worker responsibilities as outlined in the Occupational Health and Safety

Skills :

Job requires interpersonal skills, team building, facilitation and oral and written skills to work effectively with ministry and interagency teams and stakeholder groups, and to obtain input to policies and programs from a diverse array of organizations and interest groups.. Job requires organizational skills and demonstrated project management experience. Job requires analytical skills to synthesize information and evaluate and recommend policy and program options to address resource issues. Job requires judgment and evaluative skills to assess effectiveness of policies, programs and management actions and to provide advice to field staff, peers, and senior managers.

Freedom of Action :

Work is guided by Ministry policies, objectives and priorities and is reviewed by senior managers for overall effectiveness. Job requires deciding whether legislation or existing policies are applicable in the circumstance or need revision. Job requires providing direct support to the Lake Manager in a variety of priority policy initiatives. Decisions on content of discussion papers, analytical approaches to be used and recommendations to be offered are made with multi-disciplinary teams.