Amendments:• Effective, January 1st, 2023 the correct salary range for this position will be $1,253.57 to $1,577.06 per week in compliance with OPSEU collective agreement provisions.
• The job ad has been extended an additional week.
Are you highly motivated about delivering superior public service in the area of Animal Welfare? Do you have a background in regulatory compliance and enforcement? Animal Welfare Services at the Ministry of the Solicitor General seeks professional, dedicated and experienced individuals across Ontario to objectively promote and enforce compliance with animal welfare legislative and regulatory requirements by conducting inspections and investigations on animal welfare cases reported in their designated area/region. This position is best suited for individuals who have a strong, accountable work ethic and understand the compliance and enforcement landscape.
NOTE:• There is a need for Animal Welfare Inspectors in the Eastern, Western, Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and Central regions of Ontario. The successful candidates will work from district offices assigned based on their home address to respond to calls for service which may require travel up to 250 km per day.
• These positions require irregular hours with minimal or no notice (including working mornings, afternoons, and evenings), overtime and rotational after hours on standby to provide support to police services. This is non-negotiable.
• There will be requirements for extended travel (sometimes on short notice) through the province, including remote areas.
Animal Welfare Service Regions:Greater Toronto Area (GTA): Mississauga
Central: Collingwood, Bracebridge, Orangeville, Minden, Renfrew, Lindsay, Barrie, Gravenhurst
East: Ottawa, Cornwall
West: London, Windsor, Owen Sound, Guelph, St Thomas, Walkerton, Goderich, Simcoe, Sarnia, Brantford
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 "How to apply" section if you require a disability-related accommodation.
What can I expect to do in this role?
• Coordinate and conduct field inspection, compliance and enforcement activities of commercial and residential owners of animals under provincial and federal animal welfare statutes and regulations.
• Enforce the Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWs) Act, develop warrants, lay charges, and be adept at de-escalation and use of force policy.
• Handle highly sensitive, urgent issues pertaining to the welfare of animals on short notice with a diverse set of stakeholders.
• Prepare reports, correspondence and case files for investigations and inspections.
• Provide testimony in Court proceedings.
• Deliver education and awareness activities related to animal health and welfare.
• Liaise and consult with a variety of stakeholders on animal welfare issues to identify needs and priorities, assess risks, propose solutions and recommendations for the development of appropriate policy and programs.
• Exhibit Ontario Public Service values in the work delivered.
The work environment of an Animal Welfare Inspector: • The position is very demanding psychologically with Inspectors managing people who may have difficult and aggressive personalities and/or people who may struggle with mental health (e.g., hoarding).
• The position requires assessing, touching, lifting, and approaching a wide variety of animals including but not limited to dogs, cats, horses, cattle, swine, sheep, exotics, primates, marine mammals, etc. The position can at times be very physically demanding.
• The position can involve being exposed to multiple chemicals, biological and environmental hazards while on the job. This includes working in environments where there is a presence of strong odors, feces, dead animals, blood, loud noise, cold/hot/inclement weather, etc.
Successful candidates will be required to: • Pass the Regulatory Compliance Training, Personal Safety Training & Animal Welfare Training Programs (provided on the job).
• Obtain and maintain Provincial Security Clearance and Provincial Offences Officer status.
• Wear a uniform and carry personal safety equipment (baton, handcuffs and OC spray).
How do I qualify?
Mandatory
• Ability to obtain and maintain Provincial Security Clearance and Provincial Offences Officer status.
• Valid G Ontario driver's license (or equivalent as recognized by the Province of Ontario) to travel to locations not accessible by public transit.
Specialized Knowledge and Experience
• You can demonstrate knowledge of the diverse aspects of animal welfare and protection, including the management processes, welfare practices, stakeholders involved, and federal/provincial statutes, legislative and regulatory frameworks as they relate to animal welfare inspections and enforcement
• You can demonstrate knowledge of risks and priorities associated to animal welfare enforcement in commercial and residential environments and ability to mitigate risks and advance priorities
• You have knowledge of and/or experience with behaviour and health of diverse animals and understanding of when removal is required
• You have knowledge of animal welfare stakeholders and experience in engaging various audiences
Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement and Compliance Expertise
• You understand and have the ability to apply all related statutes, regulations, policies, codes and standards associated with animal welfare to interpret and provide support, direction, technical and regulatory expertise to licenses/registrants, the agricultural sector, the public, complainants veterinarians and police
• You have thorough knowledge of specialized investigative techniques, procedures, legislation and courtroom procedures to carry out investigations by gathering and interpreting evidence and making recommendations for follow-up (e.g. Criminal charges)
• You have knowledge of theories to gather evidence and interpret findings by examining available evidence, identifying potential tests for proving theories and providing testimony in Court
• You have demonstrated knowledge of compliance and enforcement of multiple regulatory statutes/programs and overlapping authorities to provide clear interpretation and understanding of complex issues
• You have experience identifying situations of non-compliance and assessing the associated level of risk to determine appropriate corrective measures to achieve desired outcomes
• You can accurately and objectively interpret, apply and enforce policies, procedures and legislation, and relay compliance-related information to others
Communication, Interpersonal and Judgement Skills
• You have strong communication skills to explain and discuss interpretations of evidence and related legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines, and theories about the investigation, using appropriate judgement in communicating confidential and sensitive information, and providing testimony in Court
• You have the interpersonal skills to persuade and ensure compliance with established methods, models and concepts of investigation
• You have the ability to use tact, discretion and honesty when gathering, discussing and disclosing case-related information and evidence to the public or in the Courts
• You have experience developing and maintaining harmonious relationships with internal and external clients, including those in rural, remote and Indigenous communities
• You have the ability to identify potential conflicts, facilitate open and constructive dialogue, and proactively address and defuse potential issues
• You adhere to OPS values when communicating with the public, stakeholders and colleagues
Analytical, Reasoning and Problem Solving Skills
• You have strong analytical and reasoning skills to conduct investigations, assessing and interpreting evidence, maintaining the integrity of the investigative file, evaluating investigative results and determining cause, analyzing the circumstances and issuing orders, laying charges and/or removing animals and make recommendations
• You have the ability to review and evaluate statutes, policies, codes and standards and make recommendations/determine impact to related animal welfare programs and related sectors
• You have the ability to assess issues quickly and with high degree of accuracy when responding to allegations of violations of the legislation/regulations and applying the appropriate tool (issuing orders, laying charges, removing animals etc) and notification to all relevant parties in a timely and accurate manner
• You have the ability to assess issues and emerging trends, apply risk management analysis and prepare summary reports
Organizational, Planning and Computer Skills
• You have superior computer skills to use Microsoft Office programs (e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) to prepare materials, correspondence, Crown Briefs and reports
• You can maintain electronic and manual records and schedules, as well as utilize database systems to search, enter and obtain information
• You have time management and organizational skills to effectively manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
• You can manage your workload and ensure accurate and timely completion of reports and other products based on targets and priorities
