Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide strategic and operational leadership as a member of the Remote Northern Transportation Office leadership team. Responsible for the safe operation, aviation regulatory compliance, Emergency Management Plans, operational direction and training for all remote airport staff and facilities by developing and implementing strategies, plans and control mechanisms supporting reliable year round transportation in remote communities across a wide geographic area.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Under the general direction of the Manager, working in a geographically-decentralized, aviation-focused organization, the position is responsible for the following:

1. Provides leadership, direction and operational management to a team of staff, temporary/casual hires, contractors and service providers as well as other ministry staff in the safe operation, regulatory compliance and training for airport facilities in compliance with legislative requirements as well as ministry policies, procedures and standards.

2. Leads and manages a team of staff in accordance to government and ministry human resources policies and collective agreements by exercising management rights and discretion to determine staffing levels, make hiring decisions, provide general direction and set priorities, conduct performance reviews and determine training and development needs, develop work plans, address employee relations matters, respond to grievances, approve leaves, manage attendance issues, address health and safety issues, write or revise job descriptions, and conduct investigative and pre-disciplinary meetings and determine disciplinary action.

3. Designs, develops and implements a strategic systemic methodology and plan to identify, rank and control RNTO risks including; technological, physical, environmental, legal, political, image/reputation, information/data. Monitors, evaluates and determines effectiveness of implemented mitigation and countermeasures against identified risks.

4. Responds to and directs staff to respond effectively to immediate situations including catastrophic events such as airside accidents or incidents including crashes, loss of power, fire, flood, ice, rain and snow storms. Leads, manages and administers the internal reporting and analysis of emergency management plans,hazards, incidents and risks, investigates incidents and hazards and associated corrective action plans. Provides information to ministry executives regarding critical incidents or hazards including time critical service plans and responses in the form of briefing notes, reports, and analysis as required.

5. Reviews and evaluates business practices and quality standards for occupational health and safety, regulatory compliance and training for remote airports based on assessed risk, airport usage and appropriate resources allocation practices to ensure safe operation of airports.
a) Plans, administers and implements annual and multi year occupational health and safety, regulatory compliance and training plans and related projects by working in an integrated manner with manager, other heads, Aiport Zone Supervisors, airport staff, temporary/casual hires, contractors and internal/external service partners to determine the best course of action based on stakeholder expectations, operational needs, legislative requirements and budgetary constraints.
b) Authorizes safety, regulatory compliance and training project expenditures within level of financial Delegation of Authority.
c) Identifies and manages the resolution of a wide range of occupational health and safety, regulatory compliance and training-related issues that could have signigicant implications on program goals and objectives including applicable complaints from regulators, customers, communities, air carriers, partners/stakeholders and providing issues analysis and preparing briefing notes and recommendations/options for consideration by senior management.
d) Uses various identification and mitigation strategies, tools and methods including risk assessments, quality assurance and quality control.

6. Provides operational support including managing emergency response to natural disasters and aviation accidents, redeployment of managers related to the ministry strike contingency/continuity of operations planning, legal or illegal strike activity and lockouts of government employees to ensure functionality and preparedness of the ministry Strike Centre. Acts for RNTO Manager or colleague managers when required.

7. Represents the branch on government/ministry committees, task teams and working groups. Develops and maintains relationships with branches within the government, as well as with other levels of government, air carriers, First Natons and agencies/regulators, external clients, partners,
stakeholders and community groups to resolve issues, share information and seek input on matters related to airport operations and to enhance awareness of services and operational strategies, gain interministerial/intergovernmental support and collaboration on projects and influence policy.

8. Contributes to the office and regional management team to raise critical issues, collaborate, supports the planning process and develop responses directly/indirectly to the ministry senior management as appropriate; participates in the risk management process by identifying areas of vulnerability, recommending mitigating strategies and implementing remedial measures as appropriate.

Position requires occasional travel with overnight stays at remote airport locations.

Knowledge :

• Airport facilities operations, training, safety and security, air transportation systems, as well as related ministry policies, regulations, aerodrome operations to provide operational direction and strategic support and to manage, plan and develop Safety Management Systems (SMS).
• Legislation, regulation, standards and requirements specific to airport operations, safety and security (e.g., Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs), Canadian Aviation Security Regulations (CASRs), Aerodrom Security Measures (ASMs), etc.), as well as the Provincial Airports Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Highway Traffic Act, environmental legislation, legislation governing transportation of dangerous goods, municipal by-laws and the policies and guidelines for provincially operated airports to ensure compliance with legislation and make sound decisions.
• Facility design, construction and maintenance to evaluate proposals and projects potentially affecting airport approaches/air space and to mitigate impacts on safety and certification of the airport.
• Ability to interpret, analyze, investigate and manage issues related to airport safety, airport security, emergency incidents and accidents to provide expert advice and to recommend/take corrective action.
• Emergency management programs, policies and practices related to airport operations, training, safety and security to oversee the following activities of the emergency management program: planning, prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery, and to a partner in the emergency planning activities with First Nations, municipalities and stakeholders such as police, Department of National Defence and other government agencies.
• Human resource management policies and practices, collective agreements and other related legislations, to effectively manage staff, hire, train, lead, evaluate, and develop staff in accordance with government policies.
• Business management methodology and best practices and strategy development to drive operational excellence in a diverse and complex environment and to develop/lead/implement action plans to ensure systems and processes are in place to meet service, safety and security standards.
• Risk management strategies, issues analysis and political acuity to identify, address and resolve issues that could have significant implications on the program's goals and objectives.
• Change management principles and best practices to allow for business re-engineering, process improvement and the quick introduction of new strategies and services.
• Financial analysis, budgeting techniques and controllership practices to manage the section?s budget, to allocate material, financial and human resources, and to approve/authorize payments for goods received, travel and project expenditures within budget allocation.
• Ministry's strategic business direction and goals, programs and initiatives to contribute to the greater management team (directors and other managers) to raise critical issues, collaborate, support the planning process and to develop and achieve annual plans aligned with government, ministry and divisional strategic goals.
• Relationship management skills to develop and maintain relationships with numerous internal/external stakeholders including elected officials of remote northern communities, and to represent the organization on various management committees, internal/external task forces, working groups and in discussions with external stakeholders and other levels of government.
• Communication, presentation and interpersonal skills to provide instruction and direction to staff, to inform senior management of contentious issues and provide interpretation and advice, options, recommended actions, and to respond to requests from ministry executives and to prepare/edit briefing notes/written materials, deliver presentations and training to diverse audiences (e.g., staff, temporary/casual hires, stakeholders, delegations, etc.)
• Operation of standard office software and tools to research and prepare documents, reports, presentations and budgets.

Judgement :

Position works under the general direction of the manager and within established government regulations, ministry policies and procedures and related municipal, provincial and federal legislation. A high standard of professional integrity, demonstrating sound technical competence, judgment and tact is necessary in this position. Judgment is required to:
• Assess operational standards, policies, procedures and guidelines as well as facility construction and maintenance (i.e., enhancement) projects to ensure any new or existing training, compliance, safety and security needs, issues or opportunities are addressed and the appropriate stakeholders are notified.
• Effectively determine and manage changing business priorities and to provide issue identification, communications, expertise and advice to staff members while considering legislative requirements, cost implications, available resources, level of risk, and alternative options in order to direct staff activities in a remote environment with major safety impacts and time constraints.
• Develop, apply and activate Emergency Response Plan(s) to a level appropriate to the situation.
• Apply management discretion to make staff-related decisions, assess performance and learning needs to provide objective and constructive career, learning and development feedback to staff; use tact, good judgement and discretion related to investigations, discipline and performance management, health information and employment accommodation; direct and manage staff within applicable collective agreements and employment related legislation.
• Resolve complaints, manage contentious issues and provide communications, expertise and advice to senior management on sensitive matters; develop and execute strategies; ensure that ministry executives have been alerted with timely responses.
• Manage budget, approve expenses within financial Delegation of Authority; make recommendations on procurement activities outside of financial Delegation of Authority.
• Interpret legislation/regulations and respond to inquiries from the public, delegates from remote northern communities, clients and numerous internal/external partners/stakeholders; has access to Legal Services Branch to request clarification on statutes and regulations where action is not clear.
• Assess and manage risk and make quick decisions relating to operations managemement and in all aspects of staff/human resources management to avoid airport service disruptions and to identify areas of vulnerability, recommend mitigating strategies and implement remedial measures as appropriate while considering employee/community/public safety and facility security at all times.
• Communicating technical expertise and sensitive findings to RNTO colleagues to the extent required to provide appropriate and timely advice and support on operational, training, compliance, safety and security matters.

Accountability - Programs :

Manages reviewing, updating and drafting of policies, procedures, standards and guidelines, long range operational and asset management plans, business processes and other documentation (for approval by regulators, manager and peers) relating to occupational health and safety, security, regulatory compliance, Emergency Management Plans and training to ensure effective communication/direction to staff and fellow managers. Responsible for identifying and advising senior management of any emerging issues with operational, regulatory compliance, safety, security or training implications.

Accountability – Personnel :

Full human resources and managerial accountability for six technical subject matter experts, all of whom provide business critical advice to management through the head to their stakeholders as bargaining unit staff.

Accountability - Finance and Materials :

Responsible for monitoring, forecasting and reporting on operational budgets; identifying and advising senior management of any emerging issues with major financial implications; accountable for the accurate control, collection and reporting of revenue and the strict security of controlled stock and equipment; authorizes payments for goods received, staff overtime, staff travel and training. Position participates in/prepares Request for Proposals to retain external goods and services to carry out project assignments and participates in the negotiation and management of contractual agreements.

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

Errors in effectively administering/managing the operations could result in significant financial loss to clients and the ministry, and threaten critical access to remote communities and as such, loss of public confidence and of the community and its delegates; failure to ensure compliance with legislative requirements may result in risk to public safety and compromise airport licencing credentials. Failure to meet service delivery objectives efficiently could cause customer hardship or business loss, damage/dissolution of stakeholder partnerships. Errors in the provision of advice could misguide senior executive decision-making; ineffective identification, investigation, analysis and management of emerging and contentious issues and inadequate expertise and advice to senior management would impact strategic positioning, which in turn could lead to criticism of the ministry, its programs, services and policies. Poor judgement in managing people, material and financial resources would result in reduced service delivery, labour relations issues and an inefficient use of public funds.

Contact - Internal :

Regular contact with staff and colleagues within office, region and other ministries, including senior management, ministry and regional subject matter experts to discuss technical and operational issues, ensure all performance, operational and service objectives are being met and to communicate any urgent/critical issues that arise. Represents the organization on government/ministry committees, taskforce teams, working groups, etc. pertaining to regulatory compliance, safety, security and training. Regular contact with regulatory agencies and ministries.

Contact - External :

Regular contact with staff from other levels of government, regulatory agencies and departments, including First Nations? chiefs, councillors and representatives, local police, etc. Represents the organization on special projects, taskforces, committees and working groups involving stakeholders. Regular contact with private sector air carriers, businesses and organizations using the airports, general public, contractors, suppliers and service providers to discuss operational, regulatory compliance, safety, security and training matters.