Job Specification
Position Title:
Resources Operations Supervisor
Job Code:
PRP19 - Resources Planning & Mgt PM-19
Purpose of Position :
To manage the operational delivery of resource management programs such as fisheries, wildlife, forest management, species at risk, lands, aggregates, etc. within a district. To plan, direct and oversee the processing of licenses, permits and authorizations, including associated risk-based compliance inspection and reporting activities. To lead the review of municipal planning and Environmental Assessment screening. To plan, direct, and implement data storage, retention, management of corporate datasets for the district.
Duties / Responsibilities :
Working in a district in the Regional Operations Division, responsible for field-based operational delivery, permits and authorization, information management, partnership coordination and issues management, this position:
1. Leads, supervises and directs the work of full time and contract/temporary staff by making decisions and/or effective recommendations on hiring staff, performance reviews, merit increases, appointments to regular staff, promotions, demotions; approves career development courses, vacations, leaves and monthly attendance reports; deals with disciplinary and performance issues; and represents the Employer in responding to grievance situations.
2. Manages and coordinates the operational delivery of resource management programs (e.g. municipal planning, Environmental Assessment Screening, Waste Management, Lands Dispositions, fish and wildlife administration, permits and authorizations, Forest Resource Licences, Harvest approvals, Independent Forest Audits) within a district. Prepares business and work plans, assigns targets, monitors results achieved and adjusts plans to meet team, district, ministry, and government resource management objectives.
3. Leads, controls and coordinates the application reviews for permits, authorizations and other dispositions of public land and resources (e.g. waste management, land use permits, aggregates, species at risk, fisheries, wildlife, forest resource licenses, work permits), including the conduct of risk assessments to determine level of risk (e.g. ecological, financial, social) associated with the applications; ensures that the approval/issuance of licences, permits, authorizations and dispositions are in accordance with the delegation of authority, acceptable level of risk and identified through sustainable opportunities in resource management plan. Ensures compliance with relevant legislation, policies and guidelines.
4. Leads and coordinates the review and ministry input on the impact of proposed activities identified in municipal planning submissions (e.g. changes to a city's official plans) on resources in the area, ensuring that ministry concerns are appropriately addressed. Oversees Environmental Assessment screening to determine what impact the proposed activity has on resources, other users; to determine the level of consultation required; and if whether further and/or other screening would be required. Addresses any issues resulting from the outcome of the ministry's review decisions.
5. Collaborates with the region in the planning of Independent Forest Audits and participates in the conduct of these audits, assessing compliance with activities/quota identified in forest resource licences, forest management plans and work schedules. Participates in the preparation of follow up action plans and status reports.
6. Leads issues management response to operational issues in the district, which includes the provision of associated expert advice and preparation of briefing/background notes, reports and correspondence. Oversees the conduct of reviews/investigations, the appropriate compilation of information/documents/content in response to Freedom of Information (F01) requests, Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR), Ombudsman investigations, tribunals, etc.; may assume the role of Response Coordinator for emergencies (e.g. floods). Resolves complex and contentious issues while balancing community interests with the government agenda.
7. Leads and manages district information management requirements, including inputting, verifying and maintaining data in the Natural Resources Values Information System (NRIVIS) and other data systems for accurate reporting to meet district resource management needs. Oversees local data/map production attached to permits, Resource Management Plans and in support of compliance monitoring and district operations. Manages the development and implementation of data sharing agreements in support of district requirements. Maintains effective dialogue, coordination and linkage with the Regional Resources Modeling Unit to keep abreast of latest technology, applications and share data/information. Ensures compliance to OPS corporate standards for data storage, retention and management of corporate datasets.
8. Chairs or serves as a member of local inter-ministerial committees to improve resource operational delivery and client services. Participates in district, ministry, inter-ministry and external committees and partnerships to further the development and implementation of policy, programs and guidelines in support of enhanced resource operational delivery.
9. Ensures the effective delivery of an Occupational Health and Safety program that complies with the OHS Act and other related legislation, standards and management principles.
Knowledge :
Thorough knowledge of the theory, principles and practices of resource and ecosystem planning and management, including interpretation and application of acts & regulations (e.g. Environmental Assessment Act, Environmental Bill of Rights Act, Crown Forest Sustainability Act, Municipal Planning Act, Endangered Species Act, etc.), applicable policies, procedures, agreements and Forest Management Planning Manual & Guidelines, which affect resource management to manage and coordinate the operational delivery of resource management programs, including licences, permits, authorizations and disposition of [ands, provide interpretation of policies/guidelines and resolve complex and contentious issues: Thorough knowledge of current and evolving science tools, risk assessment methodologies, practices and approaches (such as landscape management and socio-economic analysis) to lead the reviews of municipal planning applications and environmental assessment screening, ensuring that ecological, economic and social risks are identified and assessed in making a decision. Knowledge of ministry/region/district mandates, objectives, programs and priorities to prepare program/work plans and lead the operational delivery of resource management programs in the district in accordance with overall provincial resources management plans.
Knowledge of corporate communications, information and data management policies, plans, standards, architecture and infrastructures including Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, Communications Cabinet Approvals to manage NRVIS data verification/maintenance and local data/map production in support of resource operations delivery and for entering into data sharing agreements.
Knowledge of policies and guidelines related to human resources management, best practices and applicable Collective Agreement provisions for working conditions to effectively manage unit staff, including assessing performance and training needs and dealing with performance issues and grievances.
Knowledge of project management principles, methodologies and practices to plan, develop and coordinate various resource operations projects/activities.
A working knowledge of: the Occupational Health and Safety Act, regulations under the Act, other related legislation, and standards and management principles that apply to the work supervised or controlled is required, including familiarity with the ministry work-related accident reporting process and the injury management strategy.
Strong supervision, leadership, negotiation, conflict resolution and interpersonal skills to lead an integrated team in the operational delivery of resource management programs within a district. Excellent mediation/facilitation skills to resolve inter-team member conflicts and stakeholders/Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) conflicts related to licences, permits and authorizations, including poor outcomes of independent forest audits. Strong oral communication, interpersonal and public consulting process knowledge/skills to develop and maintain linkages within the district, within the region and other sections of MNR, as well as client groups and the public to deliver effective resource management and projects. Strong clear, concise writing skills to prepare letters, briefing notes and reports.
Well developed analytical and problem solving skills to identify and rectify operational problems and resource management issues in program delivery (e.g. land use plan conflicts, land use authorizations). Practical knowledge and understanding of the operating principles for the management of district information resources, including database management, GIS applications and data sharing to manage NRVIS data input, verification and maintenance, local data and map production. Knowledge of computers and relevant software applications (e.g. word processing, presentation) to prepare briefing materials, memos, presentations and to use e-mail.
Judgement :
Under the general direction of the District Manager, judgment is exercised in supervising and leading the Resource Operations Unit for resource operations delivery within the district in accordance with district Resource Management Plans and OPS policies. This position exercises considerable delegated and independent decision making in operationally implementing the ministry's resource management programs for the district (e.g. municipal planning review, Environmental Assessment screening, lands disposition, trapline, bear management and bait-fish administration, permits and authorizations, independent forest audit), in reviewing the programs, their delivery, their long term impacts and implications, and adjusting plans accordingly. Judgement is required to serve as a member of the District Leadership Team to determine district priorities and to ensure consistent application, implementation and enforcement of various Acts, policies and guidelines and issues management; frequently acts on behalf of the District Manager and must exercise judgment accordingly. Judgment is exercised in coordinating partnerships with the district's broad community of resource users and stakeholders to deliver effective resource management and projects, in resolving complex and frequently contentious (involving stakeholders) resource operations and personnel problems/issues caused by competing demands for ministry services and resources in the district; including formulating operational planning and/or policy proposals for the District Manager. Judgement is required in leading the review of municipal planning applications and environmental assessment screening to assess the impacts of proposed activities on resources; as well as determine the need to review local planning decisions through quasi-judicial agencies such as the Ontario Municipal Board. Judgment is required in managing NRIVIS data input, verification and maintenance, the production of local data/map production and entering into data sharing agreements to provide accurate data/tools for providing evidence based data for decision making and policy development. Judgement is exercised in determining the level of financial, social and ecological risk associated with licences, permits and authorizations to ensure that the risks are considered along with compliance with legislation/policies and identified sustainable opportunities in resource management plan so that issuance of licences, permits and authorizations protects the Crown's interests/resources while balancing community needs. In emergency situations such as floods, the position may be the District Response Coordinator for the area and is required to make decisions involving the re-ordering of program priorities and the re-allocation of resources without immediate access to the District Manager.
Accountability - Programs :
Directly accountable for the planning, implementation, delivery and quality of the Resource Operations program for the district, ensuring that objectives are met within funding allocations and policy/procedure confines; for managing the district's resource information management needs (i.e. NRVIS data input, verification, maintenance, local data/map production, data sharing agreements) and for providing for the timely, effective delivery of products/services required to meet legislated planning timelines and the district's business needs. Accountable for partnership coordination and for the resolution of complex and contentious issues in support of resource operations delivery. As a member of the District Leadership Team, provides input to the planning and operation of the overall district program and into the formulation of district operational policy as well as overall resource management policy.
Accountability – Personnel :
Directly supervises a multi-disciplinary team of professional, technical, support staff. Schedules, assigns and reviews work, monitors progress, reviews/evaluates work performance, and deals with performance/ employee relations issues, including Stage 1 and 2 grievances. Ensures employees are appropriately trained to carry out their work safely and that hazard controls are in place and effectively protect the worker. Ensures that a Joint Health and Safety Committee be established and functioning effectively for the workplace.
Accountability - Finance and Materials :
Accountable for planning and administering unit budget and managing all expenditures; and for the care, control and maintenance of assigned district vehicles, ministry equipment, specialized technology, dams, fishways, waste disposal sites, roads and the delivery of services and supplies. Accountable for the acquisition of goods and services in accordance with delegated authority. Accountable for management of records associated with licences, permits and authorizations. Directly responsible for land dispositions.
Accountability - Impact of Errors :
Inappropriate decisions or issues management or inappropriate issuance of licences, permits and authorizations could lead to loss or deterioration of district resources and have a long term impact on the resources (e.g. Crown land, fisheries, wildlife) and resource base and on those who draw their livelihood from it. Failure to provide for effective external partnerships in resource management projects/activities or ineffective review/findings with respect to municipal planning applications and environmental assessment screening could also lead to loss or deterioration of district resources.
Failure to provide a healthy and safe workplace for employees could result in work-related accidents or illnesses, significant financial liability and orders and or prosecution by the Ministry of Labour.
Contact - Internal :
Ongoing contact with district specialists to facilitate the delivery of resource operations in the district. Regular contact with regional program specialists and units to exchange professional and technical advice on specific resource and operational issues. Acts as Chair/member of various resource management committees, both within the ministry and across ministries. Occasional contact with Assistant Deputy Minister's and Deputy Minister's office related to management of significant resource operational issues. Regular contact with other ministries (Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing) relating to respective program interfaces and resolution of conflicts.
Contact - External :
Regular contact with stakeholders (e.g. Sustainable Forestry License (SFL) holders/licensees, First Nations and Treaty representatives, natural heritage associations, game and fish clubs, tourist associations, developers and municipalities) and local media to ensure participation in and awareness of resource programs and to coordinate partnerships for effective resource management and projects. Regular contact with Federal Departments and Authorities relating to the delivery of resource operations. Acts as MNR representative to various local external stakeholder/resource user advisory committees.