The JobOur 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!
The MinistryThe 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 ForestryThe LocationConservation Officer positions exist all across Ontario. This competition will be used to create an eligibility list of qualified candidates to fill upcoming permanent and temporary vacancies that may arise within the next eighteen months following the closing date of the job ad posting, in any of the following locations:
Northeast Region: Bracebridge, Blind River, Chapleau, Cochrane, Espanola, Gogama, Hearst, Kapuskasing, Kirkland Lake, Mindemoya, New Liskeard, North Bay, Parry Sound, Sault Ste. Marie, South Porcupine, Sudbury, Wawa
Northwest Region: Atikokan, Dryden, Fort Frances, Geraldton, Ignace, Kenora, Nipigon, Red Lake, Sioux Lookout, Terrace Bay, Thunder Bay
Southern Region: Aurora, Aylmer, Bancroft, Belleville, Chatham, Clinton, Cornwall, Guelph, Kemptville, Kingston, Midhurst, Minden, Owen Sound, Perth, Pembroke, Peterborough, Picton, Vineland, Wheatley
What can I expect to do in this role?
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
How do I qualify?
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 s/he has a valid driver's license upon being hired.
• You possess a valid Standard First Aid and CPR certificate.
• You either possess or have the ability to obtain a Pleasure Craft Operator's Card.
• You can provide proof of having passed the Ontario Hunting License Examination or equivalent.
• You can provide proof of having passed the Canadian Firearms Safety Course or possess a Possession and Acquisition Firearms Licence.
• You have the ability to pass psychological and physical assessments to determine suitability and 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.
Specialized Technical Knowledge:
• 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.
