Regional Forester

at  Region of Waterloo

Regional Forester
Job Number: 1372
Job Type: Full-Time
Location: 150 Frederick St - Regional Admin Headquarters
Job Category: Other
Number of Positions:1
Department: Community Planning
Division: Planning, Development and Legislative Services
Hours of Work: 35
Union: CUPE 1883
Grade: CUPE 1883 Grade 016
Salary Range: $48.86 - $55.39 per hour

OUR STORY:

Committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations, the Region of Waterloo is an inclusive, thriving and sustainable region of connected rural and urban communities with global reach. Our mission is to serve, engage and inspire, by delivering quality services to a diverse population of 630,000+, while creating a healthy, collaborative environment of learning, respect and innovation.
This is a place where employees are valued and recognized for their talents and contributions to our success. Our employees take pride in making a difference in people’s lives through the work that we do. We are looking for people like you to help make it happen.
The Role
Leads complex regional forestry initiatives to establish, plan, and achieve the Region’s long-term vision for sustainable growth and development. Manages projects in a multi-stakeholder environment internal and external to the organization. Ensures the long-term sustainability of Regional Forests and Region-owned woodland properties. Provides independent professional recommendations and expertise on a range of studies, initiatives, and projects related to forestry, urban forestry, land use planning, and municipal infrastructure.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Leads the development and implementation of the Regional Forest Management Plan for the purpose of maintaining or enhancing the long-term ecological integrity of woodlands located on Region of Waterloo lands. Conducts comprehensive forest health monitoring that informs an evidence-based response to changes in forest structure and function, with a critical awareness of the potential impacts of land use pressures and climate change.
• Prepares silvicultural prescriptions and oversees day-to-day maintenance of the Region’s forest tracts with input from user groups and citizen advisory committees. Oversees the development, approval, and implementation of operating and management plans for individual forests as required.
• Provides technical input to the implementation of the Regional Woodland Conservation By-law, reviewing permit applications, conducting site inspections, and assisting in legal proceedings when necessary to address by-law infractions.
• Reviews and assesses tree protection or removal matters on Region-owned properties and provides technical advice for projects including roads, water, and wastewater infrastructure. Provides forestry expertise to support the management of municipal infrastructure, land development, environmental sustainability initiatives, climate change preparedness, urban forest management, and natural heritage planning. Supports planning policy exercises, such as official plan reviews, by-law updates, and special studies.
• Coordinates and implements environmental stewardship initiatives related to regional forests, trails, and community environmental fund projects.
• Prepares briefings advising senior management and elected officials on high profile forestry and natural heritage related matters. Prepares reports for committee and council and attends committee and council meetings, making presentations as required.
• Prepares for and conducts stakeholder consultation (e.g., public meetings, open houses, workshops) representing the Region. Incorporates key findings into ongoing work and future communications with council and the public.
• Builds, maintains, and strengthens relationships with area municipal staff, the public, development community, and other stakeholders.
• Contributes as a regional liaison for area municipalities on initiatives, studies, and projects. Coordinates initiatives in partnership with area municipalities that harmonize policy and practice.
• Acts as project manager for forestry projects, including project design, work planning, resourcing, and evaluating projects. Prepares project work plans, policy documents, and background reports, terms of reference, and RFPs for consideration by management. Assists in the evaluation and selection of outside consultants/contractors and acts as a liaison between consultants and regional staff on specific projects, including updates to council.
• Represents the Division on committees, working groups, and advisory bodies to provide and receive feedback on interdepartmental and intermunicipal initiatives. Occasionally represents management at internal and external meetings. Provides staff support to advisory committees.
• Develops and recommends policies and procedures for new programs, initiatives, and ongoing collaboration, and participates in the formulation and evaluation of planning policy, including providing input on recommendations to committee and council.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Administers budgets for projects and programs and writes grant proposals.
• Schedules and prioritizes work according to the divisional strategic/work plan and deadlines set by legislation and political schedules/agendas. Assists management in setting divisional work plan objectives and goals. Meets with management regularly to discuss progress, update priorities, and address key issues and questions.
• Makes day-to-day decisions under the general supervision of management on development applications, regional and provincial policy, regulations and guidelines, program delivery, and projects. Consults with management, other staff, and external experts for decisions on unique, high profile, and controversial issues.
• Assigns, coordinates, and reviews the quality of work of students and staff supporting projects managed by the Regional Forester, or as part of the daily workflow, and provides technical guidance, mentorship, and training. Participates in administering and coordinating the hiring process for students.
• Leads project teams, advisory committees, and working groups by chairing meetings, preparing related materials and activities, providing technical guidance and coordinating the work of team members.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of forest ecology, forest management, urban forestry, natural heritage planning, and research methods acquired through a Master’s degree or 4-year Bachelor’s degree in forestry, environmental science, environmental studies, ecology, or related discipline, plus 5 years of directly related experience.
• Must be a Registered Professional Forester (R.P.F.) or eligible to register as a Registered Professional Forester member with the Ontario Professional Foresters Association.
• Knowledge of current forestry protocols and industry standards, with specialized expertise in forest management and silvicultural techniques suitable for southern Ontario forest landscapes.
• Knowledge of the Planning Act and other planning-related legislation, regulations, policy statements, and guidelines in a public sector environment, and the Regional Official Plan. Knowledge of other related legislation, area municipal official plan policies, implementation guidelines, zoning by-laws, and procedures.
• Ability to comply with corporate policies and procedures.
• Critical thinking, problem solving, and analytical skills, using a balance of technical skill, creativity, and reasonability.
• Ability to exercise political sensitivity and judgment consistent with professional standards.
• Ability to manage multi-stakeholder projects to successful completion, and plan and prioritize work in response to conflicting demands.
• Communication, human relations, facilitation, negotiation, mediation, and conflict resolution skills to work effectively with stakeholders with competing interests (e.g., developers, engineers, lawyers, area municipalities, members of the public); deal with angry, emotional, and frustrated stakeholders on controversial decisions, and resolve actual and perceived issues; communicate effectively with all levels of staff, elected officials, and the public; and participate as an effective team member.
• Ability to write concise, audience-appropriate correspondence; convey issues and concepts effectively; make presentations and explain planning issues, information, and procedures in a manner appropriate for various audiences, council, and committee settings.
• Ability to read, interpret, synthesize, and apply complex technical policy and legal information (e.g., reports, documents, records, file information, maps, plans, drawings).
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as MS Office, databases, GIS, and data management programs.
• May be occasionally required to alter schedule to attend evening meetings.
• Ability to travel within Waterloo Region.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.

The Region of Waterloo is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection process. At the Region, we respect, encourage and celebrate our diversity. The Region of Waterloo is committed to providing accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require an accommodation, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs.
Alternate formats of this document are available upon request. Please contact the Service First Contact Centre at phone number (519) 575-4400, TTY number (519-575-4608) to request an alternate format.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Leads the development and implementation of the Regional Forest Management Plan for the purpose of maintaining or enhancing the long-term ecological integrity of woodlands located on Region of Waterloo lands. Conducts comprehensive forest health monitoring that informs an evidence-based response to changes in forest structure and function, with a critical awareness of the potential impacts of land use pressures and climate change.
• Prepares silvicultural prescriptions and oversees day-to-day maintenance of the Region’s forest tracts with input from user groups and citizen advisory committees. Oversees the development, approval, and implementation of operating and management plans for individual forests as required.
• Provides technical input to the implementation of the Regional Woodland Conservation By-law, reviewing permit applications, conducting site inspections, and assisting in legal proceedings when necessary to address by-law infractions.
• Reviews and assesses tree protection or removal matters on Region-owned properties and provides technical advice for projects including roads, water, and wastewater infrastructure. Provides forestry expertise to support the management of municipal infrastructure, land development, environmental sustainability initiatives, climate change preparedness, urban forest management, and natural heritage planning. Supports planning policy exercises, such as official plan reviews, by-law updates, and special studies.
• Coordinates and implements environmental stewardship initiatives related to regional forests, trails, and community environmental fund projects.
• Prepares briefings advising senior management and elected officials on high profile forestry and natural heritage related matters. Prepares reports for committee and council and attends committee and council meetings, making presentations as required.
• Prepares for and conducts stakeholder consultation (e.g., public meetings, open houses, workshops) representing the Region. Incorporates key findings into ongoing work and future communications with council and the public.
• Builds, maintains, and strengthens relationships with area municipal staff, the public, development community, and other stakeholders.
• Contributes as a regional liaison for area municipalities on initiatives, studies, and projects. Coordinates initiatives in partnership with area municipalities that harmonize policy and practice.
• Acts as project manager for forestry projects, including project design, work planning, resourcing, and evaluating projects. Prepares project work plans, policy documents, and background reports, terms of reference, and RFPs for consideration by management. Assists in the evaluation and selection of outside consultants/contractors and acts as a liaison between consultants and regional staff on specific projects, including updates to council.
• Represents the Division on committees, working groups, and advisory bodies to provide and receive feedback on interdepartmental and intermunicipal initiatives. Occasionally represents management at internal and external meetings. Provides staff support to advisory committees.
• Develops and recommends policies and procedures for new programs, initiatives, and ongoing collaboration, and participates in the formulation and evaluation of planning policy, including providing input on recommendations to committee and council

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Administers budgets for projects and programs and writes grant proposals.
• Schedules and prioritizes work according to the divisional strategic/work plan and deadlines set by legislation and political schedules/agendas. Assists management in setting divisional work plan objectives and goals. Meets with management regularly to discuss progress, update priorities, and address key issues and questions.
• Makes day-to-day decisions under the general supervision of management on development applications, regional and provincial policy, regulations and guidelines, program delivery, and projects. Consults with management, other staff, and external experts for decisions on unique, high profile, and controversial issues.
• Assigns, coordinates, and reviews the quality of work of students and staff supporting projects managed by the Regional Forester, or as part of the daily workflow, and provides technical guidance, mentorship, and training. Participates in administering and coordinating the hiring process for students.
• Leads project teams, advisory committees, and working groups by chairing meetings, preparing related materials and activities, providing technical guidance and coordinating the work of team members.
• Performs related duties as assigned