Provincial Lands Specialist

Effective January 1st, 2024 the salary range for this position is $1,502.28 to $1,928.81 per week in compliance with OPSEU Unified Bargaining Unit collective agreement provisions. The new rates, effective retroactive to January 1, 2024, were recently confirmed and dates for implementation of the new salary rates are still to be determined.

Do you have a thorough understanding of land management, the legislation governing it and the ability to provide expert advice in relation to it? If so, you may be well suited to fill the role of Provincial Lands Specialist for Ontario Parks.

About Us
Ontario Parks coordinates Ontario's parks and protected areas system, leads the provincial Species at Risk Program and manages more than 314 provincial parks with an area of over 7.65 million hectares. Parks are managed to protect representative and unique examples of Ontario's natural and cultural heritage. A majority of parks emphasize protection, but over 100 are operated to provide recreation, canoe tripping, hiking, nature viewing, camping, picnicking, swimming and more. Many of these parks offer natural and cultural heritage education programs.

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?

In this role, you will:

• lead the development, review, transfer, interpretation and implementation of province wide policies, legislation, programs and guidelines for the management of lands in provincial parks consistent with the maintenance or restoration of ecological integrity
• support provincial park land management programs across the province including the disposition and acquisition of land and the generation of revenue
• provide strategic guidance, leadership and advice in resolving land management issues at a zone/park level
• coordinate land management program input to provincial and regional planning exercises
• liaise with ministry corporate policy areas and various external client groups and other agencies in relation to land management program delivery for provincial parks

Note: This position will require occasional travel within the province

How do I qualify?

Technical Expertise:

• You have knowledge of land management practices and techniques (land disposition and acquisition, titles, surveys, etc.), valuation principles/approaches, real estate principles/practices, stakeholder concerns, revenue generation, etc.
• You have knowledge of relevant policies, legislation and regulations related to provincial parks and protected areas, land and water management and related disciplines such as planning, environmental studies, land management and significant related public land case law
• You are familiar with the policy development process in order to participate in or advise on provincial policy development issues/projects

Communication and Interpersonal Skills:

• You have proven communication skills to liaise with various staff and the public on a variety of land management and related issues, and to prepare recommendations, reports and briefing notes for senior management
• You have influential, advisory and negotiation skills to liaise with and advise other ministry staff on the resolution of contentious and complex issues

Analytical and problem-solving skills:

• You have analytical skills to develop recommendations and provide advice on the development of provincial land management policies and programs
• You have attention to detail and problem-solving skills to prepare briefing notes, Minister's correspondence, and reports on contentious issues

Project Management Skills:

• You have project management skills to advise on or carry out project design, lead studies, and identify/summarize project results

Indigenous Knowledge:

• You have knowledge of Indigenous issues, including land claims and additions to reserve to advise staff and to apply proper protocols in discussions with communities