Protecting and advancing our understanding of the Great Lakes is a key environmental priority for Ontario, and this role offers the opportunity to lead impactful work that will make a lasting difference. As Great Lakes Monitoring Unit Supervisor, you will lead one of Ontario's premier environmental monitoring programs. You will oversee the science, people, partnerships and strategic direction that support understanding and protection of the Great Lakes ecosystem, while generating critical environmental intelligence that informs provincial policy, regulatory, compliance and resource management decisions. Leading a team of scientific, technical, and field professionals, you will help drive innovation, provide strategic advice to senior decision-makers, and ensure that scientifically rigorous information supports environmental protection and policy decisions across the province. You will work closely with policy, science, compliance, operations and reporting partners across the ministry to address emerging issues and advance Ontario's environmental priorities. You will also oversee the stewardship, quality assurance, interpretation and reporting of long-term environmental monitoring datasets that support provincial reporting, trend analysis, public accountability and evidence-based decision-making. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence the future of Great Lakes monitoring while addressing emerging environmental challenges in one of the world's largest freshwater ecosystems.
We are seeking a collaborative and inspiring leader who combines strong people management skills with a passion for aquatic science and environmental stewardship. You will oversee a diverse and highly skilled team, manage program budgets and resources, build partnerships with provincial, federal and municipal stakeholders, and contribute to strategic planning that advances Ontario's environmental priorities. Whether advancing innovative monitoring technologies, modernizing environmental data and reporting systems, responding to emerging water quality issues, or representing Ontario in provincial, federal and binational Great Lakes initiatives, your leadership will have a direct impact on the health of the Great Lakes and the science that supports environmental decision-making. If you are a strategic thinker who excels at leading people, building relationships, and delivering results in a dynamic environment, we encourage you to apply.
Please note: Occasional travel throughout Ontario, including to remote locations, is required. While field work is not a primary responsibility of the role, the successful candidate will have opportunities to participate in monitoring activities and gain firsthand experience with Great Lakes programs. Travel may include occasional overnight stays for field operations, meetings, or stakeholder engagement activities.
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.
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 and develop a high-performing team by providing day-to-day leadership, coaching and support to scientific, technical and field staff, fostering an inclusive, collaborative and engaged workplace culture.
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Oversee Great Lakes monitoring programs by directing the planning, coordination and delivery of water quality monitoring, environmental investigations and scientific field operations across Ontario's Great Lakes and connected surface waters, including oversight of monitoring vessels, specialized equipment, field logistics and staff safety programs.
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Drive scientific excellence and innovation by reviewing monitoring methodologies, supporting the adoption of emerging technologies, and ensuring the collection, analysis and reporting of high-quality, scientifically defensible environmental data.
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Champion continuous improvement and program modernization initiatives related to monitoring technologies, environmental data management, analytical tools and reporting practices.
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Provide strategic advice and issue management by identifying emerging environmental concerns, evaluating risks and trends, and preparing recommendations, briefings and reports to support senior management decision-making.
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Build and strengthen partnerships by collaborating with provincial, federal and municipal partners, Indigenous communities, research organizations and stakeholders to advance shared monitoring priorities, represent Ontario in Great Lakes initiatives and support coordinated environmental initiatives.
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Manage operational planning and resources by overseeing budgets, procurement activities, program priorities, resource allocation and performance measures to ensure programs are delivered safely, effectively and on schedule.
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 TeamJoin the Great Lakes Monitoring Unit, a dedicated team within the Water Monitoring Section of Ontario's Environmental Monitoring Branch, where science meets real-world environmental impact. Our team of scientists, technical specialists and field professionals works at the forefront of protecting one of the world's largest freshwater ecosystems, collecting and analyzing critical water quality data that helps shape environmental policy, supports compliance efforts and informs decisions that affect communities across the province. From innovative monitoring technologies and specialized environmental investigations to research on emerging water quality challenges, no two days are the same. You'll work alongside knowledgeable and passionate colleagues who value collaboration, continuous learning and scientific excellence, all while playing a leadership role in work that helps protect the Great Lakes for future generations.
What you bring to the team
Leadership and People Management
• Experience leading, coaching and developing multidisciplinary teams in a scientific, technical or operational environment.
• Ability to set priorities, assign work, monitor performance and ensure the successful delivery of program objectives.
• Demonstrated success fostering an inclusive, respectful and engaged workplace that supports employee growth and well-being.
• Strong judgment and organizational skills to manage competing priorities, sensitive employee matters and evolving operational demands.
Scientific Program Leadership
• Knowledge of aquatic environmental science, water quality monitoring and environmental assessment principles.
• Experience overseeing scientific projects, investigations or monitoring programs from planning through reporting.
• Ability to provide senior scientific leadership, interpret complex environmental data, assess environmental risks and trends, and ensure the delivery of accurate, defensible and high-quality information to support decision-making..
• Experience leading innovation, modernization or continuous improvement initiatives involving monitoring technologies, environmental data management systems, analytical tools or scientific reporting programs.
• Understanding of current and emerging issues affecting the Great Lakes and other freshwater ecosystems.
Stakeholder and Partnership Management
• Experience building and maintaining productive relationships with external partners.
• Ability to influence, negotiate and collaborate with diverse stakeholders to achieve shared objectives.
• Experience establishing effective working relationships across multiple branches and programs to support complex environmental initiatives and achieve shared outcomes.
• Strong communication skills with experience presenting complex information to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proven ability to manage expectations, resolve conflicts and foster trust with clients, partners and senior leaders.
Operational Planning and Resource Management
• Experience managing budgets, procurement activities and resource allocation to support program delivery.
• Ability to plan, coordinate and evaluate multiple projects while meeting timelines and performance expectations.
• Experience identifying risks, addressing operational challenges and implementing practical solutions.
• Strong planning and analytical skills to support strategic decision-making, continuous improvement and effective program management.
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: