Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To coordinate and/or conduct projects for the development and implementation of policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines related to the permits and agreements program for the protection, conservation, recovery and management of species at risk (SAR) and their habitats in Ontario for the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). To conduct biology, ecology, resource management, socio/economic and environmental risk assessment, reviews and analysis of SAR permits/agreement applications, and develop or contribute to the development of instruments, permits, stewardship agreements and exemption agreements to support implementation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). To provide SAR expertise, advice and guidance to ministry staff and external stakeholders related to the interpretation and application of legislation and ministry policy for SAR permits and agreements.

Duties / Responsibilities :

The job requires:

1. Coordinating and/or conducting research, analysis, environmental scans and jurisdictional reviews in the specialized areas of SAR biology, ecology, resources management, and socio-economic impacts to provide key content for SAR permits and agreements legislation, regulation, policy and program development for the effective implementation of The Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the protection, conservation, recovery and management of species at risk and their habitats in Ontario.

2. Providing project management for assigned SAR projects for the development, implementation and review of ministry permits/agreements regulations, policies, procedures, standards, guidelines and tools. Develops project plans and determines project methods; controls and monitors project progress, leads assigned project team members, resolves project issues, prepares project reports, and makes recommendations to the Coordinator based on project results.

3. Leading, conducting and/or participating as a team member in consultation processes with management/staff in the branch, other divisions/branches, field offices, other ministries and levels of government and with key stakeholders (e.g. scientific experts, private landowners, resource users, community organizations, industry representatives, advocacy group partners and planning authorities) to coordinate the research of SAR policy issues and facilitate input to proposed SAR permits/agreements regulations/policy options and proposals. Conducts analysis and assessment of consultation process results, and develops recommendations for policy revisions.

4. Providing ongoing expertise to division management/staff and district field offices regarding the ministry's policy direction and objectives for the permits/agreements program, and to provide advice, guidance, training and support related to the interpretation and application of the ESA and SAR permits/agreements directives, policies and procedures.

5. Conducting and/or participating as a team member in the design and development of SAR communication, training and educational products, and the delivery of training sessions related to SAR permits/agreements policy to support branch, ministry and field office SAR staff training programs, as well as public education and outreach initiatives for a variety of external audiences (e.g. interagency professional/technical organizations, partners, stakeholders, general public).


Duties/Responsibilities (continued)

6. Reviewing and analyzing ESA permit /agreement requests to determine whether or not legislative requirements have been met, and developing or participating in the development of recommendations for the approval/denial of ESA permits.

7. Conducting and/or participating as a team member in projects and reviews for permitting initiatives within assigned provincial client sectors across all regions of the province. Provides SAR biological, ecological and resource management specialist expertise and support to management/staff in MNR regions and districts and other program branches related to the review of proponent initiated projects and the preparation of responses to proponents related to required research and plans.

8. Participating in branch procurement processes for the acquisition of external service providers, as required for specific permits and agreements projects, including preparing requests for proposals, coordinating competitive processes, reviewing and assessing submissions, and recommending successful contractors.

9. Independently researching and analyzing issues related to permits and agreements, and preparing and/or contributing to the development of research/analysis papers, policy presentation materials, reports, briefing documents, key messages, and executive correspondence on a range of SAR permits/agreements topics.

10. Developing and posting proposals under the ESA to the Environmental Registry (MNR web-based public information and communication system) to make the public aware of the proposal and to seek public input. Monitors results on the Environmental Registry, compiles and analyzes information received and prepares report..

11. Participating on branch/ministry committees and project teams, and representing the ministry on multi-disciplinary, inter-agency, and inter-jurisdictional task teams, committees, and working groups.

Staffing and Licencing :

N/A

Knowledge :

• Excellent knowledge of the theory, principles, and field research methods/practices of biology/ecology, natural resource management, socio/economic and environmental risk assessment planning and management with specialty knowledge related to species at risk to lead/conduct projects for the research, analysis, and development of SAR permits/agreements policies, regulations, procedures, guidelines, standards and to review/analyze ESA permit /agreement requests and develop draft instruments, stewardship agreements, exemption agreements or case-specific regulations.
• Knowledge of specialized environmental scanning methods, and policy research, analysis and development principles, methods and techniques to independently conduct SAR policy development and analysis projects or contribute as a key member of policy development teams.
• Knowledge of project management principles/methods to lead/conduct SAR permits and agreements review and evaluation projects, and policy research, analysis and development initiatives.
• Knowledge of the government agenda and the ministry/branch goals, objectives, and programs related to the protection, conservation, recovery and management of species at risk and the development of permits/agreements, and the intent/application of the Endangered Species Act to lead/conduct SAR policy research, analysis, and development projects; provide specialized SAR expertise and advice to internal/external stakeholders, and assess/develop specific permits/agreements.
• Knowledge of stakeholder sectors (e.g. scientific community, forestry, farming, industry, land developers, Aboriginal groups) in Ontario and related changing environmental, economic and social issues that impact SAR to conduct research and environment scans, analyze policy impacts and provide policy and permit/agreement approval recommendations to management.
• Knowledge of data and information analysis techniques and computer-based analytical, data management and modelling techniques to research and analyze SAR data; interpret research findings, assess impacts, prepare reports and related materials, recommend effective courses of action, and provide policy related advice to senior management.

Skills :

• Conceptual, research and analytical skills to lead/conduct policy research and analysis, review/analyze ESA permit/agreement requests, and develop policy, program and permits/agreements approval recommendations.
• Project management and organizational skills to lead/conduct projects for assigned SAR permits/agreements policy development/review projects, and meet tight deadlines and targets.
• Facilitation, networking and consultation skills to conduct/participate in consultation processes with branch/ministry management/staff and a broad range of external stakeholders to solicit input on policy and permits/agreements issues/proposals, and to provide specialized SAR expertise, guidance and advice related to permits and agreements legislation and policy.
• Verbal communication, presentation and training skills to provide expertise and interpret current SAR legislation, policies and programs to field staff/peers and external stakeholders, deliver training programs, and present policy/program recommendations to management.
• Leadership skills to provide technical leadership and guidance to assigned staff on a project basis.
• Initiative and the ability to work with minimal supervision/direction.
• Judgement and evaluation skills to assess the effectiveness of SAR policies/programs and to provide expertise and advice to management.
• Written communication skills to prepare research reports, policy options/recommendations, briefing materials and draft instruments, exemption agreements or case-specific regulations.

Freedom of Action :

Job requires working within government/ministry legislation, regulations and policies governing species at risk in Ontario. Job is also guided by established scientific/biological theory, principles and practices of resource management and environmental risk assessment, and policy development/analysis principles, standards and methods. Job exercises independent judgement by determining scope and technical parameters of research required to address SAR program/policy issues; conducting analyses of research materials and data; developing conclusions for SAR permits and agreements policies, procedures and processes, and providing SAR resource management expertise and recommendations to branch management. Judgement is exercised by analyzing ESA permit/agreement requests to determine whether or not legislative requirements have been met; independently determining the merits and issues related to requests in the context of resource management/ecology assessment; recommending the approval/denial of ESA permits, and developing draft instruments, exemption agreements or case-specific regulations. Job exercises judgement by providing expertise, guidance and training to ministry management/staff and external stakeholders on the interpretation and application of ESA and policies/procedures as they apply to specific, unique and often complex SAR permits/agreements.
Job consults with the Coordinator in situations in which the application of legislation/policy is subject to new or unclear interpretation, or research findings have potential significant implications for existing SAR programs/policies. Work is reviewed by the Coordinator for sound judgement and overall effectiveness of research, analysis and recommendations.