Conservation Officer

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The Job
Our Enforcement Branch is looking for motivated individuals to apply their passion for the outdoors, natural resources protection and ensuring public safety to fill the role of Conservation Officer. If you're a service-focused and team-oriented professional who is eager to advance your career in natural resource conservation, consider joining our team!
Click here for additional information about the Conservation Officer role.

The Ministry
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry oversees the Province's natural resources and works to safeguard Ontario's forests, fisheries, wildlife, mineral aggregates, Crown lands and waters. We are committed to protecting and managing these natural resources for present and future generations of Ontarians. For more information about our ministry, please click on the following link: Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

The Ontario Public Service (OPS) is committed to being an employer of first choice, creating a positive and inclusive work environment.

We offer:
• a defined benefit pension plan
• maternity and parental leave top-up benefits which includes adoptive parents
• comprehensive health plan
• life and disability insurance
• flexible work arrangements
• collegial and professional work culture
• career growth and development opportunities across multiple business areas
• on-the-job training to support your success in the role

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How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.

We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's Human Rights Code. Refer to the "How to apply" section if you require a disability-related accommodation.

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About the job

As a member of our enforcement team, you will participate in the delivery of a multi-service integrated compliance program by:

• conducting investigations, gathering evidence, completing legal documents, acting as an agent on behalf of the Crown for court prosecutions, and providing testimony in court;
• participating in undercover and special investigations and conducting regular audits/inspections of resource users, licence issuers, commercial operators (e.g. trappers, aggregates companies), identifying, investigating, and reporting on instances of non-compliance (e.g. use of illegal fish nets), apprehending violators (e.g. night hunters and/or careless hunters), and laying charges as appropriate;
• providing education and information related to natural resource management and protection to various client groups.

Note that the positions will require the incumbents to:
• work shifts, weekends and holidays
• travel for extended periods of time
• work in remote and isolated locations

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What you bring to the team

Mandatory:

• The position requires the successful candidates to have a valid class G driver's license or equivalent. The offer of employment is conditional upon the successful candidate providing proof that they have a valid driver's license upon being hired.
• You either possess or have the ability to obtain a valid Standard First Aid and CPR certificate.
• You either possess or have the ability to obtain a Pleasure Craft Operator's Card.
• You either possess or have the ability to obtain proof of having passed the Ontario Hunting License Examination or equivalent.
• You either possess or have the ability to obtain proof of having passed the Canadian Firearms Safety Course or possess a Possession and Acquisition Firearms Licence.
• You have the ability to pass a psychological assessment.
• You have the ability to successfully complete the PARE, PREP or ESAP-ENPQ Police 2017 physical assessment to determine fitness for the position.
• You have the ability to qualify as a Conservation Officer, which includes the ability to successfully complete Basic Constable Training at the Ontario Police College or enforcement branch approved equivalent.

For additional details on training and testing, see below.

Specialized technical expertise:

• knowledge of natural resource management principles, including: areas of commercial/sport fisheries, game/non-game species of wildlife, wildlife in captivity, aggregates resource management, and public land usage
• proficiency in the sports of hunting and fishing, handling firearms and other sporting equipment
• proficiency in the operation of related recreation vehicles (eg. watercraft, snowmobiles, ATV's, etc.)

Problem-solving and situational judgment:

• ability to exercise sound judgment in stressful and potentially threatening situations
• strong problem-solving skills to identify underlying issues, link issues with regulatory requirements and recommend appropriate corrective measures to address challenging situations
• identify, and take necessary, appropriate and timely action in response to, complex and/or critical issues
• sound judgement to evaluate and consider situational factors to make independent, timely decisions that align with policies, procedures and legislation
• organizational skills to effectively manage multiple tasks, schedule workload and meet specific deadlines/timeframes

Conflict resolution and relationship building skills:

• experience developing and maintaining harmonious relationships, responding appropriately and providing direction to diverse internal and external clients in a professional manner
• ability to influence and persuade others to adopt a specific course of action
• ability to identify potential conflicts, facilitate open and constructive dialogue, and proactively address and help defuse potential issues, reaching peaceful solutions in volatile situations

Communication skills:

• oral communication and active listening skills to tactfully explain complex policies, procedures and techniques, and to help ensure information is understood
• presentation skills to prepare and deliver presentations to public interest groups (eg. fish and game clubs, naturalist groups, public schools, etc.)
• written communication skills to accurately document information and prepare reports and court documents
• proficiency with common office software applications (email, word processing, spreadsheets, internet, data entry)

Enforcement and compliance expertise:

• experience identifying situations of non-compliance and assessing the associated level of risk to determine appropriate corrective actions to achieve outcomes
• proven ability to accurately interpret, apply and enforce policies, procedures and legislation, and relay compliance-related information to others
• experience applying knowledge of enforcement and investigation techniques, methods and procedures, rules of evidence, lawful searches and seizures

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Additional information:

Note:

• In accordance with the Ontario Public Service (OPS), Employment Screening Checks Policy (ESCP), the top candidate(s) may be required to undergo a security screening check. Refer to the above to determine the screening checks that are required for this position.
  
  Required security screening checks along with your written consent, will be sent to the Transition and Security Office (TSO), Corporate Talent Programs Branch, Talent and Leadership Division to evaluate the results. If applicable, the TSO, with your written consent, will request and obtain any additional employment screening checks that were not obtained directly by you.
  
  A record under the Criminal Code and/or other federal offence record(s) does not automatically mean you will be ineligible for the position. The employment screening check(s) will only be reviewed and evaluated by the TSO for the purpose of making a security clearance decision. The details of an individual's employment screening check(s) will be considered in specific relation to the duties and responsibilities of the position being filled. Employment screening check records will be maintained by the TSO and kept strictly confidential.
• Candidates will be required to pass one of the below physical fitness tests before being hired. The MNRF will not arrange testing for selected candidates that do not have valid PREP or PARE test results. The cost for evaluation will be the responsibility of the candidate.
  
  Physical Readiness Evaluation for Police (PREP)
  Physical Abilities Requirement Evaluation (PARE)
  Épreuve standardisée d'aptitudes physiques ESAP-ENPQ Police 2017
  
  
  Successful candidates must attend/complete a 6-week Law Enforcement Lvl I, and 3-week Conservation Officer Lvl II training, which includes:
  • Use of Force & Defensive Tactics - Ontario Use of Force Model, demonstration of MNRF approved techniques and scenario training
  • Initial Pistol and Rifle Firearms Training - safe handling, low-light familiarization and proficiency in the 50-round pistol qualification, and 54-round rifle qualification course of fire
  • Swim Test - ability to swim 100 meters with no time limit, life jacket when in the water and exit the water
  • Natural Resource legislation & enforcement techniques including evidence gathering, interviewing, etc.
  • Public Safety Radio Network Initial Training - nomenclature, functions and proficiency with communications
  • Case law research and presentation - extra-curricular study, developing a 10-minute presentation, delivery to an audience of specialists and your peers
  • Final examination to an 80% proficiency

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Language requirements and assessment:
All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.

Exigences en matière de langue et évaluation:
Toutes les offres d'emploi externes de la fonction publique de l'Ontario (FPO) sont affichées en français et en anglais. Consultez la section « Langue du ou des postes » en haut de chaque offre d'emploi pour connaître les exigences linguistiques. Pour tous les postes, les candidats sont évalués en anglais, la langue d'affaires de la FPO. Si le poste est bilingue (anglais/français), vous devrez également passer un test de compétences linguistiques en français.