Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To lead the transfer and implementation and provide species at risk (SAR) input in the development of provincial natural resources policies, legislation, program, procedures and guidelines consistent with sustainable development of resources and the maintenance or restoration of biodiversity. To provide strategic guidance and advice on resolving issues related to the protection and recovery of species at risk in Ontario at a regional/district level; and to coordinate species at risk program input to provincial and regional planning exercises. To liaise with ministry corporate policy areas and various external client groups in relation to SAR program delivery.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Job requires:

1. Identifying the need for and leading regional task/project teams to provide species at risk input to provincial natural resource policies, legislation, programs, standards and guidelines that take into consideration regional ecological, social and economic factors as appropriate by: determining priorities and obtaining management support to proceed; assembling and analysing background information, including scientific reports; and recommending appropriate courses of action, consulting with ministry staff and other ministries and seeking formal approval.

2. Building effective communication relationships with provincial, regional and district client groups and provincial, federal and international resource agencies regarding policy and program initiatives by participating on a variety of committees, working groups and project teams; attending and making presentations to clients, at public meetings and the media; and preparing a variety of reports, briefings, letters, new releases, etc.

3. Interpreting and providing specialized advice to staff, agencies and the public for the consistent implementation of species at risk policies, program and guidelines. Monitoring the effectiveness of policy and program implementation at a regional level by reviewing and analysing results of surveys, studies and by assessing feedback at presentations, workshops and training sessions and recommending modifications.

4. Providing biological and resource management advice to management, advisory boards, peers and staff on policy and program initiatives and/or implementation issues, programs and resource planning; preparing reports, briefing notes, correspondence and presentation materials.

5. Coordinating consistent delivery of species at risk program across districts by leading the regional species at risk work plan, the development of implementation tools (e.g. best practices) to promote consistency; participating on committees to remain current on activities and convey direction; providing advice to the regional teams/work units; and reviewing district proposals for consistency with broader program direction.

6. Facilitating linkages and on-going dialogue with stakeholders, clients and staff from other programs and ministries to examine issues and evaluate potential solutions, obtain appropriate approvals and coordinate implementation of approved direction.

7. Other duties: Management has right to assign other duties.

Knowledge :

Job requires:

Knowledge of the theory, principles and practices of biology and applied ecology as it related to species at risk as well as knowledge, understanding and ability to apply current ecological, biological, resource management principles and planning approaches to provide specialized advice to staff, managers and senior biologists on resource issues and lead regional task/project teams in the provision of species at risk input in the development of sound provincial policies, programs, standards and guidelines.

Knowledge of current government strategic direction, ministry priorities, existing resource management policies and resource legislation (e.g. Endangered Species Act, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, , Environmental Assessment Act, Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act, Green Energy Act, Crown Forest Sustainability Act, Municipal Planning Act), federal legislation (e.g. Species at Risk Act & Fisheries Act) and policy development procedures to provide advice related to the application of policies and programs that are consistent with current direction and legislative requirements.

Knowledge of communication, consultation, facilitation, negotiation and training techniques to ensure effective acquisition of input to policies, programs, standards and guidelines from staff and a diverse array of organizations and interest groups and to enable effective transfer and implementation of policies, programs, standards and guidelines to staff and others.

Knowledge of organizational and project management approaches to organize and complete complex projects within assigned timelines.

Knowledge of personal computers, internet and a variety of word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software to prepare briefing materials, correspondence, reports, etc. and use internet and e-mail.

Knowledge of computer-based analytical, data management and modelling techniques and tools to analyse biological/resource management situations based on large resource/user datasets and effective courses of action.

Knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations that apply to the workplace and work being performed.

Skills :

Job requires:
Reasoning and problem solving skills to analyse information and make recommendations to management and convey appropriate information to staff and the public relating to species at risk.

Oral and written communication skills to prepare and present briefing notes, Minister's letters and technical reports and to explain policy approaches to staff and the public, including making senior level presentations and providing media interviews.

Project management, organizational and team leadership skills to implement policy and program initiatives within tight timelines, to lead diverse task teams or assigned staff and to coordinate public meetings or public workshops.

Interpersonal, communication and relationship management skills to develop and maintain effective relationships with clients, federal/provincial agencies, natural resource stakeholders, environmental non-government agencies and partners (e.g. Federation of Ontario Naturalists, Nature Conservancy of Canada, Aboriginal communities) public, media and participate on a number of provincial, regional and/or inter-agency committees and working groups.

Facilitation and conflict resolution skills to effectively identify various perspectives, determine areas of common agreement and develop/gain support from a variety of partners, clients and ministry staff.

Financial skills to develop project estimates and track expenditures.

Ability to work under pressure to achieve assigned objectives within strict timelines.

Freedom of Action :

Work is performed under the general supervision of the Resource Advisory Supervisor. Job requires working within ministry and government legislation, resource management policies, guidelines, directives, procedures and established biological principles, practices and procedures.

Job requires independently determining team membership, funding requirements, problem solving and project management approaches when addressing the implementation of policy and program initiatives and/or issues.

Job requires making decisions on content of discussion papers, analytical approaches to be used and recommendations to be offered, often within the context of multi-disciplinary teams. Job requires presenting an immediate opinion on implementation of provincial policy and programs.

Job represents the ministry when participating on a number of provincial, regional and/or inter-agency committees and working groups relating to policy and program initiatives and/or implementation issues, and resource planning.

Work is reviewed by Manager for overall effectiveness in dealing with the SAR management issues and policy and program implementation processes.