Supervisor of Natural Heritage

**Internal/External Job Posting**
**Regular Full Time Non Union Position Supervisor of Natural Heritage**

The Land Management Division is comprised of the Central Services, Conservation Area Operations and Conservation Lands departments and oversees the strategic mandates of the Grand River Conservation Authority as they relate to land use and recreational enjoyment of properties owned and operated by the Authority.

**General Accountabilities**
Under the guidance of the Manager of Conservation Lands, the Supervisor of Natural Heritage is responsible to supervise, design and implement the Natural Heritage program, which includes develop work programs to meet regulatory and policy requirements; develop and implement a long range natural heritage strategy; and provide technical expertise to authority projects.

**Specific Accountabilities**
1. Supervise a team dedicated to the management of the health and resiliency of the Grand River watershed.
2. Guide the development of resource and management principles, strategies and policies, including but not limited to the Natural Heritage program, Forest Management Plan and Natural Heritage Framework
3. Actively participate in corporate deliverables related to conservations lands and act as Project Lead for implementing initiatives that are identified through various strategies including developing work plans to meet implementation timelines, providing guidance and oversight to project staff, and contributing technical as required.
4. Provide leadership in natural heritage restoration, monitoring, and management and planning for GRCA lands and projects as identified through master planning and management planning exercises.
5. Administer program and budgets, and supervise personnel required to support the Natural Heritage program.
7. Oversee the development and maintenance of aquatic and terrestrial resource data collection, maintenance, and transfer framework and analysis.
8. Coordinate a program to draw and defend the boundary line for natural heritage features before the public, landowners, peers, boards of inquiry and approval agencies.
9. Establish, implement and maintain partnerships, secure funding, coordinate programs and projects to further the objectives of the program through federal and provincial agencies, user groups, municipalities and private interests.
10. Work closely with the Grand River Conservation Foundation Fundraising Coordinator to develop and promote donation opportunities for restoration programs
11. Coordinate natural heritage advice to Senior Operators as required, for reservoir/dam operations.
12. Attend meetings, tribunals, and hearings to fulfill the obligations of the GRCA and act as an expert witness as required.
13. Promote a health and safety culture within Central Services by ensuring compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, other applicable legislation, regulations, and GRCA policies and procedures. Conduct regular workplace inspections and audits to demonstrate due diligence.
14. Carry out other related duties as assigned

**Technical Accountabilities**
1. Honours University degree University degree in ecology, environmental science, resources management, biology, forestry or similar discipline. Knowledge of applied science and data collection/resource assessment techniques.
2. Three to six years of work experience in the field of natural heritage systems, ecology, environmental planning, ecological restoration, municipal planning, storm water management, wetland evaluation, legislation and policies.
3. Strong and effective interpersonal and communication skills to supervise staff and program.
4. Demonstrated experience supervising staff and knowledge of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act.
5. Ability to liaise and negotiate with staff of provincial and federal ministries, municipalities, other agencies and interest groups and develop and maintain a network of professional contacts.
6. Extensive knowledge of natural heritage systems as well as impact and risk assessment, and related disciplines.
7. Strong and effective organizational skills. Demonstrated ability to prepare and administer budgets, work plans, reports. Ability to balance and coordinate many projects/demands at once is essential.
8. Experience in project management, data management including collection, storage, and analysis and reporting, sampling protocols and procedures and equipment.
9. Ability to recognize, forecast and prepare for future demands and opportunities with respect to the Natural Heritage program.
10. Knowledge of relevant federal, provincial legislation and GRCA, policy and guidelines such as: Conservation Authorities Act, Planning Act, Environmental Protection Act, Fisheries Act, GRCA Human Resources and Health and Safety policies.
11. Participate in various municipal and provincial committees and studies dealing with natural heritage resources.
12. Valid driver’s license.

GRCA offers a comprehensive benefits packag