Provincial Silviculture Program Specialist

Are you a professional forester with expertise in silviculture programs and an interest in making a difference in Ontario through policy/program development and implementation.

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

What can I expect to do in this role?

In this role, you will provide province-wide leadership, technical expertise and strategic advice to senior and executive management to support the development and continuing improvements to the provincial silviculture program.

How do I qualify?

Mandatory

You must possess a Registered Professional Forester (RPF) designation from the Ontario Professional Foresters Association or have the ability to transfer designation from out-of-province and be able to practise professional forestry without professional supervision.

Technical expertise:

• knowledge and experience with the theories, principles and practices of silviculture programs in order to develop, implement and assess provincial silviculture policy
• demonstrated practical experience developing and implementing silviculture programs, including silviculture prescriptions, operational programs, field data collection and monitoring programs
• detailed understanding of Ontario's forest management planning and harvest/silvicultural planning tools including approaches to forest health and silviculture, forest information, monitoring and reporting
• knowledge of current provincial and federal resource legislation, regulation and policies (e.g. Crown Forest Sustainability Act and regulated forest management manuals)

Analytical skills:

• demonstrated critical thinking and problem solving skills to examine existing approaches, develop innovative solutions to forest management challenges, integrate complex silvicultural concepts into provincial legislation/policy and facilitate implementation
• research skills to investigate policy and practice questions, including conducting jurisdictional scans and summarizing relevant science, information, and rationale
• proficiency in computer-based data management and statistical analysis skills to incorporate current science into silviculture policy development and the ability to provide technical advice and expertise

Communication and interpersonal skills:

• communication skills to write briefing notes and technical reports, to correspond with clients, to prepare responses to Minister's letters or documents for review and approval by Senior Management, to succinctly and clearly present to technical and non-technical audiences and to liaise with internal/external stakeholders
• interpersonal skills to tactfully and effectively communicate, build support and elicit cooperation and commitment from team members, other ministry and forest industry staff and clients for the acceptance of silviculture policy and program development
• collaboration skills to develop a network of provincial contacts with government and industry to maintain current knowledge of the effectiveness of the provincial silviculture program, an understanding of emerging issues and to represent Ontario or the silvicultural program on provincial and national committees

Project management and leadership skills:

• ability to provide provincial leadership to facilitate the effective and efficient review of the silviculture components (including financial) in forest management plans and annual reports
• leadership and organizational skills to lead interdisciplinary task teams to develop and deliver projects, including establishing project purpose and priorities, developing a work plan and milestone deliverables, coordinating project logistics, and meeting timelines
• proven ability to lead the development of regulations, manuals, policies, guides and technical reference documents necessary for the successful implementation of the silviculture program

Policy experience:

• knowledge of policy development, evaluation, and monitoring techniques and procedures to lead the development of forest management guides and associated products (e.g., science and rationale for forest management direction) and to provide advice to senior management and practitioners

OPS Commitment to diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti- racism:

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 application instructions below if you require a disability-related accommodation.

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 Monday, July 4, 2022 11:59 pm EDT. Late applications will not be accepted.

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