We are seeking candidates for four Coordinator positions within the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Science and Research Branch who bring strong leadership skills to work with multiple teams engaged in research and monitoring and a passion for applying research to real-world resource management challenges. These roles are ideal for leaders who understand scientific research and monitoring, value evidence-based decision-making, and enjoy working collaboratively with a wide range of partners and clients. If you thrive at the intersection of natural resource science, people, management and policy, this is an opportunity to contribute to meaningful, province-wide impact.
As a Coordinator, you will step into a key leadership role within one of several natural resource science-focused teams known for their technical expertise and collaborative approach. You will work closely with skilled staff and peers across the ministry to lead programs, support team development, manage financial resources, and guide complex work in a thoughtful, inclusive way. This is an opportunity to shape team direction, strengthen capacity, and help deliver high-impact science that informs decisions across Ontario. Strong communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills are essential to success in this role. You will build and maintain productive relationships with internal teams, clients, and stakeholders, ensuring shared goals are achieved through clear communication and mutual respect. If you are known for your ability to connect with people, lead with confidence, and translate science into coordinated action, Science and Research Branch encourages you to apply and be part of a team doing impactful, science-driven work.
This role will involve occasional travel to support meetings, collaboration, or field-related activities. While the position is primarily office-based, candidates should be comfortable traveling from time to time, including to locations that may be remote or not accessible by public transportation. Opportunities to work in outdoor or adverse weather conditions may arise periodically; however, travel and fieldwork are not everyday expectations and are balanced with the overall responsibilities of the role.
Leadership That Makes a DifferenceAt its core, leadership in the Ontario Public Service (OPS) is about creating positive change for people and communities across Ontario. We're looking for leaders who are authentic, accountable, and courageous. People who bring others together, ask bold questions, and lead with purpose.
About the job
We believe great leadership starts with high standards and strong support. In the OPS, that means showing up with authenticity, acting with integrity, and having the courage to do what's right, even when it's hard.
As a leader, you'll shape a team culture that sparks innovation, supports collaboration, and champions inclusion. You'll help build a workplace that is diverse, anti-racist, and accessible, where everyone feels safe, respected, and able to thrive.
You won't be doing it alone. We invest in our leaders through mentorship, learning opportunities, and cross-ministry networks that help you grow your impact and connect with peers across the organization.
Leadership is about impact, and in this role, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful one. You will:
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Lead science based programs and teams by coordinating aquatic, forest and wildlife research and monitoring initiatives and providing guidance, coaching, and direction to professional and technical staff.
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Apply scientific expertise to inform decisions by translating research and monitoring results into practical advice that supports policy, program, and resource management objectives.
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Build strong relationships with clients, stakeholders and Indigenous communities by working collaboratively within and across ministries, the Science and Research Branch, partners, clients and external groups to align goals, support integrated science priorities and deliver shared outcomes.
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Provide effective people leadership by fostering an inclusive, respectful, and engaged work culture while supporting performance management, development, and succession planning.
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Coordinate planning, priorities, and resources by contributing to, and leading work planning, budgeting, and resource allocation to ensure programs are delivered safely, efficiently and effectively.
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Communicate clearly and confidently by preparing briefings, reports, and presentations and by representing the unit and Section in discussions on issues, opportunities, and emerging science needs.
Your ability to align your team's efforts with broader organizational goals will be key to your success, and to the success of the people we serve.
Meet Your New TeamYou will join MNR's
Science and Research Branch, where teams work together to deliver research and monitoring programs that inform natural resource management decisions across Ontario. As a Coordinator, you may lead one of several specialized units, each contributing to a shared goal: advancing evidence-based decisions that protect ecosystems, support biodiversity, and sustain natural resources for future generations.
Forest Research and Monitoring SectionThis team delivers research and monitoring programs that inform how Ontario's forests are understood, managed, and sustained. Based in Sault Ste. Marie, the team supports decision-making on forest ecosystems, biodiversity, and long-term forest management outcomes across the province. Teams work in a variety of environments including field sites across Ontario and greenhouse and laboratory settings to collaborate on a wide variety of research projects. Click
here to learn more about the Forest Research and Monitoring Section.
Aquatic Research and Monitoring SectionBased in Peterborough, this team conducts research to support fisheries management and water resource priorities across Ontario. Staff work across the province, including the Great Lakes and northern field locations, and lead projects focused on climate change impacts, invasive species, sustainable harvest models, and aquatic ecosystem monitoring. The team also develops modern tools and methods to better understand and manage Ontario's water resources, while providing science support for aquatic species at risk. Click
here to learn more about the Aquatic Research and Monitoring Section.
Wildlife Research and Monitoring SectionAlso based in Peterborough, this section advances understanding of wildlife populations and ecosystem dynamics through coordinated research and monitoring programs. Working closely with partners across the ministry, the team translates complex scientific data into insights that shape conservation and resource management outcomes across diverse landscapes. Click
here to learn more about the Wildlife Research and Monitoring Section.
Across all teams, you will work in a highly collaborative, science-focused environment with strong technical expertise and a shared commitment to inclusive, values-based leadership. Many teams are experiencing workforce change, creating opportunities to strengthen onboarding, build capacity, and shape team culture. As a leader, you will play a key role in bringing clarity, consistency, and direction—while helping teams deliver high-impact science that benefits communities across Ontario.
What you bring to the team
Leadership and People Management
• Experience leading, guiding, or coordinating teams in a professional or technical environment
• Ability to motivate, coach, and support staff while fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace culture
• Confidence making decisions, setting priorities, and providing direction over multi-year initiatives
• Capacity to build trust and credibility as a leader with both staff and management peers
Scientific Knowledge and Applied Experience
• Demonstrated background in forestry, aquatics, and/or wildlife, ecology, biodiversity, or a related natural resource management or scientific discipline
• Understanding of how scientific research and monitoring data informs policy, programs, and management decisions and establishing science priorities
• Understanding of scientific research and sampling designs and analytical, data management and modelling techniques required for resource management research
• Comfort working in a science-focused environment that emphasizes safety and balances delivery of research and monitoring focused field programs with policy and planning needs
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for conveying complex information clearly and effectively
• Ability to work collaboratively with clients, stakeholders, and partners with diverse perspectives and priorities
• Skill in facilitating discussions, addressing issues constructively, and managing relationships
• Professional presence when representing the unit in meetings, consultations, or briefings
Coordination, Planning, and Stakeholder Engagement
• Experience coordinating projects, programs, or initiatives involving multiple partners or disciplines
• Ability to plan work, manage finances, integrate health and safety priorities and contribute to effective use of resources
• Strength in building and maintaining productive internal and external stakeholder relationships
• Understanding of factors and issues impacting and of interest to Indigenous communities and peoples in Ontario and principles for engaging and building relationships with Indigenous partners, communities and organizations
• Capacity to balance operational coordination with longer term strategic thinking and program needs
Don't meet every qualification?
If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!
Think this role could be right for you?We're here to support you every step of the way. These short videos can help you feel confident and prepared:
• Navigating Our Hiring Process (2 min) – Get a clear overview of each stage in our structured hiring process so you know what to expect and how to prepare.
• Application Preparation Tips (4 min) – Learn how to showcase your leadership experience in ways that align with how we evaluate applications during the screening stage.
Take a few minutes to explore these resources. They're designed to set you up for success.
How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility
We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.
Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's
Human Rights Code and the
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer
accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please
contact us.Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace: