LANDS AND WATERS TECHNICAL SPECIALIST

Do you have strong communication, leadership and program administration skills to provide technical expertise and guidance for the ministry's lands and waters resource management program? If so, consider this challenging opportunity as a Lands and Waters Technical Specialist with the Regional Operations Division at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

What can I expect to do in this role?

In this role, you will:

• administer Lands and Waters program license/permit/approval processes
• participate in work program activities including preparing recommendations, monitoring progress and results of projects, controlling budget expenditures and supporting organization of field projects
• provide technical expertise and group leadership including consultation, negotiation, and conflict resolution
• prepare and implement compliance plans, conduct field inspections and investigations and provide testimonial evidence in court
• communicate program information to the public, clients, partners, resource industries and Indigenous people
• support long range planning teams by providing technical expertise
• participate in the delivery of other district resource management programs (e.g. Aggregate, Fish and Wildlife, Forestry)

How do I qualify?

Mandatory requirement:

• You must have a valid class 'G' driver's licence or equivalent as recognized by the Province of Ontario.

Lands and waters expertise and technical knowledge:

• You have in-depth knowledge of Ontario's lands and waters legislation, administrative policies/procedures, licensing and permitting.
• You have demonstrated knowledge of other resource management related legislation and regulations (Forestry, Fish and Wildlife, Aggregate) and experience participating in the delivery of these programs to ensure various resources and land use operations comply with provincial standards and ecological sustainability.
• You have applied knowledge of enforcement and compliance procedures to conduct or participate in operational audits, investigate infractions and provide technical information as a witness in court and legal tribunals.
• You are able to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations.

Communication, interpersonal and collaboration skills:

• You have proven interpersonal and collaboration skills to effectively work with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate presentations and participate in public consultation processes as a ministry representative.
• You demonstrate outstanding communication skills to respond to public inquiries, prepare briefing notes, draft Minister's letters, press releases and write technical reports.
• You demonstrate tact and diplomacy in your interactions with industry stakeholders and the general public to promote understanding, discuss sensitive resource decisions and facilitate resolution of land management conflicts.

Problem-solving and analytical skills:

• You have proven evaluation, interpretation, assessment and problem-solving skills to evaluate information, confirm adherence to legislation/policy, evaluate and establish training plans and compliance strategies by reviewing annual project/program implementation, and identifying shortfalls and/or deficiencies in target achievement and determining corrective action.
• You are able to work independently while demonstrating political acuity and sound judgement when analyzing data to effectively resolve disputes and recommend solutions.

Planning and coordination skills:

• You have demonstrated ability to apply your project management skills to plan and coordinate project expenditures, and make decisions on resource management programs by identifying standards, establishing resource needs, production targets, and arranging for the programs to be monitored and/or evaluated.
• You have demonstrated organizational and time-management skills to coordinate several processes/projects occurring simultaneously.

Computer skills:

• You are proficient in the use of personal computers/software including word-processing, data base, electronic mail, internet and spreadsheet applications to prepare correspondence and reports, input and retrieve data, prepare budgets and track expenditures.

Please be advised that the results of this competition may be used to form an eligibility list of qualified candidates to potentially fill future vacancies represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). In accordance with the Collective Agreement, eligibility lists are shared with OPSEU representatives. By applying to this competition, you are providing consent that your name may be shared with OPSEU representatives.

All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

Remember: The deadline to apply is Tuesday, March 6, 2018 11:59 pm EST. Late applications will not be accepted.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.