Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To assist in the development, implementation and monitoring of wood measurement and licensing activities within an assigned geographical area of Southern Region. To provide support in the resolution of measurement and licensing issues. To assist in establishing and maintaining competency in wood measurement. To assist with the scaling audit program. To perform related duties

Duties / Responsibilities :

Under the general direction and supervision of the Regional Coordinator:
1. Assists in the development, implementation and monitoring of wood measurement and licensing activities within an assigned geographical area of Southern Region by
- Ensuring accuracy and completeness of scaling data processes;
- Assisting with the establishment of measurement trials;
- Monitoring the authorization and controls required for the movement of unscaled Crown forest resources;
- Participating in the development of innovative and new wood measurement and auditing techniques (with the Supervisor, Provincial Measurement Unit and the Regional Coordinators);
- Providing team leadership (i.e. technical guidance and direction) to district MNR and MNDM & F staff engaged in wood measurement and movement activities;
- Recommending and negotiating appropriate scaling agreements with Forest Industry clients;
- Recommending electronic data transfer for forest resource processing facilities with scaling agreements and assisting with the establishment of the process in conjunction with the Information/Development Officer in Sault Ste Marie;
- Recommending and preparing holding yard letters;
- Assessing weigh scale facilities, preparing weigh scale maintenance agreements and monitoring maintenance of weigh scales;
- Coordinating the sampling (field data collection and compilation) program to update district. regional
and processing facility sample factors (e.g. defect, undersize, grade, species, mass/volume, etc); - Updating district, regional and processing facility sample factors on an annual basis using data
collected;
- Assisting with planning, budgeting and expenditure control;
- Preparing formal wood measurement and licensing statistical and managerial reports as required.
2. Provides support in the resolution of wood measurement and licensing issues for Branch, MNR District and Forest Industry clients by:
- Assessing wood movement problems and recommending appropriate scaling techniques to adapt to changes in logging techniques and practices;
- Ensuring proper scaling techniques are applied;
- Evaluating and analyzing data form the provincial volume and value calculation program (TREES) to evaluate Forest Industry invoices and provide advice;
- Providing advice with regard to wasteful practices (wood utilization), unauthorized harvesting, unauthorized hauling, etc.
3. To assist in establishing and maintaining competency in wood measurement by:
- Identifying training deficiencies and knowledge gaps among (MNR, MNDM & F, Forest Industry) scalers, auditing, data processing and licensing staff;
- Participating as a team member in planning, organizing and conducting scaling refresher courses, utilization courses, licensing and wood measurement courses, etc.;
- Recommending approval for qualified scalers;
- Acting as course instructor for both local and provincial courses;
- Acting as board member on provincial scaling course as required by the Supervisor, Provincial Measurement Unit;
- Assisting in the preparation of course materials as required;
- Recommending materials for updating and/or modification (e.g.. Participating in the revision of the 'Scaling Manual' and the 'Scaling Audit Reference Manual' on a regular basis).
4. To provide support for the Scaling audit program by :
- Recommending and prioritizing forest industry activities to be reviewed and audited;
- Acting as audit team coordinator on scaling audits;
- Acting as audit team coordinator on program audits of MNR District wood measurement programs; - Preparing final audit reports and making appropriate corrective recommendations; - Ensuring the appropriate follow-up actions are taken according to recommendations.
5. To Perform related duties by:
- Preparing materials and documents for meetings and conferences, as required;
Managers have the right to assign additional duties.
The Incumbent shall, while in the workplace, conduct him/herself in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, any workplace practices as directed by their immediate Supervisor and in accordance with Internal Responsibility System as outlined in the OH&S Act.

Staffing and Licencing :

Position requires a valid Ontario Scaler's Licence and valid Class G Drivers Licence.

Knowledge :

Job requires knowledge of Crown Forest Sustainability Act, applicable regulations, Scaling Manual, Scaling Audit Reference Manual, Ministry wood measurement policy and procedures and the Forest Compliance Handbook to provide advice, technical leadership and training to internal and external clients. Job requires knowledge of all methods of wood measurement to provide advice and instruction on the approved methods of measurement Job requires knowledge of the Corporate volume and value calculation program known as TREES (Timber Resource Evaluation System) to assess data and produce reports, do analysis on wood flow patterns, resolve issues with industry clients and conduct scaling audits. Job requires knowledge of applicable computer hardware and software programs to prepare reports, internal and external communications and training plans. Job requires knowledge of contract administration to initiate, draft and audit partnership agreements with client groups (eg. scaling agreements) by attending meetings to identify needs, developing terms and conditions and monitoring contractor performance. Job requires knowledge of administrative practices and procedures (eg. work program planning) to prepare budget estimates and report on expenditures. Job requires knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations that apply to the work and knowledge of any potential or actual danger to health and safety in the workplace to ensure compliance when performing supervisory responsibilities

Skills :

Well developed reasoning, problem solving, evaluation, analytical, communication, and organizational/time management skills are required to assist in the development, implementation and monitoring of wood measurement and licensing activities. Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills to effectively deal with officials of forest industries, other agencies and the public.

Reasoning/Problem Solving/Evaluation/Analytical
Job requires reasoning, problem solving, evaluation and analytical skills to conduct audits, detect inconsistencies in data from various sources and make recommendations for corrective action Job requires evaluating information from staff and forest industry to confirm adherence to legislation/policy or, in the case of non-compliance, take corrective action such as establishing additional monitoring or auditing programs. Job requires evaluation and development of training plans and compliance strategies by reviewing annual project/program implementation, identifying shortfalls and/or deficiencies in target achievement and determining corrective action. Job requires intuitive skills to deal with forest industry and ministry staff on sensitive operational and measurement issues and problems (e.g. non-compliance to scaling agreements) Job requires providing input to the development of standards, policy and procedural guidelines to protect the Crown's interests in the wood measurement program. Job requires making revenue and expenditure projections to ensure program funding needs are met (e.g. costing of contracts).

Communication:
Job requires good communications skills to make presentations, participate in public meetings with clients, respond to client inquiries, prepare background reports, and write technical reports. Job requires interpersonal skills in daily interaction with staff and industry to promote understanding of the wood measurement program and to ensure the Crown's interests are fully protected: to resolve sensitive issues with clients and maintain a sound working relationship. Job represents the Ministry in consultation and negotiation with industry on wood measurement processes and procedures. Job requires instructing on formal provincial and regional wood measurement courses (scaling, utilization, procedural, sampling).

Organizational/Time Management
Job requires planning and coordinating projects, audits and contracts. Job is responsible for ensuring the timely review and monitoring of scaling agreements, authorities to haul unsealed Crown forest resources, and sampling/check scaling programs. Job requires ensuring contracts and agreements are followed to standard by auditing and monitoring industry operations in a timely manner. Job is responsible for the calculation of time sensitive scaling factors for a given geographic area of the region. Job is responsible for planning and schedule work and setting priorities.

Freedom of Action :

Freedom of Action:
Job works within the procedural controls of ministry and government policies, legislation, associated manuals, guidelines, directives and established practices and procedures. Results are formally reviewed in annual performance appraisal where target achievement is set based on mutually agreed upon performance measures Targets and progress are regularly reviewed with supervisor and adjusted due to unforeseen priorities and workloads but little direct supervision is received. Job works in a team environment and is required to accept responsibility for actions taken and work carried out. Job requires making decisions regarding wood measurement program activities by identifying standards, establishing resource needs and recommending appropriate corrective action. Situations that are not covered by Ministry policies or normal operating procedures are reviewed and recommended course of action is submitted to supervisor (e.g. unique clauses in scaling agreements).

Note:
Job requires extensive travel by road in Ontario including travel on bush roads which are below highway standards. Job requires an average of 2 to 3 days/week performing field work in adverse weather (extremes of cold, heat, rain and snow depending on the season) and field conditions as well as working alone in remote
locations.