Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

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

Duties / Responsibilities :

? Assisting in the enforcement of natural 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).
? Responding to violations of legislation/regulations by assisting in investigations, gathering evidence and completing legal documents. Assisting in regular audits/inspections of resource users, license issuers and commercial operators and identifying, investigating and reporting on instances of non-compliance.
? Inputting daily enforcement activities and violations into computerized ministry activity reporting system, which stores information for monitoring, analysis and evaluation of trends.
? Participating in resource management activities (e.g., commercial fish harvesting, shoreline development, fisheries and wildlife habitat issues, fishing/hunting quotas).
? Assisting in 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.
? 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.

Staffing and Licencing :

? Valid Class G driver's license.
? Standard First Aid certification.
? Current “Pleasure Craft Operators Card”.
? Proof of having passed Ontario's Hunting License examination.
? Proof of Canadian Firearms Safety Course Certification.

Appointment as a Conservation Officer is legally required to enforce specific resource management legislation.

Prior to appointment as a Conservation Officer, applicants will be required to undergo security clearance to the level appropriate to the position.

Knowledge :

? 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).
? Understanding of ministry resource management practices such as identification of species and habitat requirements, fish and wildlife inventory techniques, commercial harvesting, to assist in providing information to public interest groups and provide input into resource management programs (e.g., commercial fishing/hunting quotas, license conditions).
? Knowledge of the use of defensive weapons (e.g., sidearms, batons, oleoresin capsicum aerosol spray) and restraint techniques to carry out enforcement duties and restrain individuals if necessary, (e.g., use of force.).
? Knowledge of the Criminal Code of Canada and Charter of Rights and Freedoms to carry out peace officer responsibilities.
? Knowledge of survival skills to work safely in remote areas (e.g., orienteering, navigation and first aid).
? Knowledge of analytical techniques.
? Knowledge of computer software in order to input, extract and analyze data.
? Knowledge of safe operation of sport and commercial fishing equipment including the maintenance of equipment (e.g., ATVs, snowmobiles, boats, large vessels, net pullers) to assist in inspections and advise on regulations governing use to groups (e.g., game and fish clubs, commercial fisherman).
? Knowledge of worker responsibilities as outlined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Skills :

? Skills and abilities to work as a Conservation Officer including obtaining the legal appointment necessary to use the enforcement powers and authorities of the position, physical suitability and certification in firearms and use of force.
? Skills and abilities to meet Ministry of Natural Resources approved use of force qualification, which is subject to annual recertification (e.g., use of sidearm, batons, oleoresin capsicum aerosol spray and empty hand self-defense techniques).
? Interpersonal skills to promote acceptance, understanding and compliance with natural resource management programs and policies.
? Analytical skills to assist in gathering information and evidence, interviewing witnesses or potential violators, consolidating and assessing information and determining appropriate follow-up.
? Written and oral communication skills to assist in the provision of information on provincial natural resources management programs, legislation, policies and guidelines; conducting interviews, completing legal documents, crown briefs and preparing occurrence reports and letters.
? Negotiation skills to assist with reaching peaceful solutions in volatile situations (e.g., arrest and seizing of evidence).
? Planning and coordination skills to assist in scheduling audits/inspections of commercial operators, conducting investigations, complaints or potential violations within specific time frames and preparing reports or legal documents.

Freedom of Action :

Freedom of Action

? Work is carried out under the direction of the Area Enforcement Manager.
? Position would carry out duties in accordance with a progressive training plan working with an assigned coach officer and other Conservation Officers.
? At the discretion of the Director, Enforcement Branch the intern may be appointed as a Deputy Conservation Officer (DCO). As a DCO they can only carry out enforcement work with a Conservation Officer.
? At the discretion of the Director, Enforcement Branch and based on their progression through the training plan, the intern may be appointed as a Conservation Officer. The Conservation Officer appointment would contain a condition that the intern could not carry out independent duties and must continue to be accompanied by a Conservation Officer while carrying out enforcement duties.
? 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).
? Activities are recorded through updates to ministry compliance/violation reporting system, which provides information on officer activities, charges laid, where violations occur, contacts made and equipment used. The Area Enforcement Manager will provide direction on the frequency of the updates.
? Job requires referring non-routine problems such as investigations involving issues and resources receiving media attention, search warrants, and workload and patrolling problems to supervisor/manager.