Forestry Advisor

About The Role

The Forestry Advisor in the Lands, Resources and Consultations (LRC) Branch of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) is to provide support to the Managers in the LRC Branch and, where required, to the Director of the Branch, on all forestry-related issues and initiatives.  Under the direction of the Managers in the LRC Branch, the Forestry Advisor will review Forest Management Plans (FMPs) and forestry-related policies, and help prepare MNO’s comments on these plans as they relate to the potential impact of forestry operations on Métis rights and concerns of the Métis community.

The Forestry Advisor will facilitate Métis engagement on forestry issues and initiatives within the MNO traditional territories and liaise with Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) staff to ensure that the Duty to Consult and Accommodate owed to the regional rights-bearing Métis communities in Ontario is being fulfilled.

What You Will Be Doing

• Liaise with proponents, government, and other forestry sector entities on forestry related activities.
• Provide technical advice and support to MNO staff and the Regional Consultation Committees on forestry issues and potential impacts of forestry activities on Métis rights and interests where the Duty to Consult is engaged.
• Collect, securely store/archive, review, access and report on information associated with forestry projects.
• Develop communications for MNO communities regarding forestry related activities as well as for specific projects.
• Work collaboratively with other staff of the LRC Branch, including the MNO Community Relations unit and the MNO Way of Life unit to implement various programs and initiatives.
• Coordinate work associated with the facilitation of meetings, community gatherings, teleconferences, etc. including but not limited to the preparation of expense forms, purchase orders, agendas and briefings for effective engagements with proponents, governments, regional consultation committees and MNO communities.
• Establish and maintain positive and productive working relationships with other MNO units and branches, Regional Consultation Committees and proponents as directed.
• Maintain a thorough record of all activities and consultations.
• Track projects through a project tracking system.
• Travel to communities to give presentations or attend meetings.  This may require overnight stays in the community and a varied work schedule.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Managers of the LRC Branch and, at times, the Director of the LRC Branch.

• Completion of post-secondary education in a forestry, environmental sciences or resource development;
• 2-5 years’ experience in government policy analyst or natural resource sector or environmental sector;
• An understanding of regulatory processes related to forest management plans, forest audits, environmental assessment, and stakeholder participation in those regulatory processes; or a demonstrated ability to learn regulatory processes quickly.

• Knowledge of Métis and/or Aboriginal policy issues, or demonstrated ability to quickly acquire knowledge of Métis specific matters including knowledge of the MNO’s mandate, governance structure and Métis history and culture will be a definite asset.
• Knowledge of the forestry sector in Ontario. This could include experience in forest management planning, forest license management/oversight, forest audits (IFAs or third-party audits), forest industry (private sector), and/or Aboriginal consultation related to forestry.
• Sensitivity and confidentiality
• Technology literacy with proficiency in all Microsoft office programs
• Advanced communications skills
• Superior organization skills and time/priority-management with attention to detail and accuracy
• Highly detail-oriented with elevated levels of problem-solving, and analytical skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced multi-issue environment, serving a wide range of varied internal and external interests.
• Ability to deliver presentations on technical information in plain language to large and small groups with ease
• Ability to be flexible and meet new challenges as they arise, in a demanding and dynamic environment.

• Willingness and availability to travel throughout Ontario and work flexible hours, evenings or weekends when required.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license, access to a reliable vehicle, $1,000,000 liability insurance coverage, ability to drive a rental car, and clean driver’s abstract are required
• Available to travel requiring overnight stays, possibly on weekends.

• Current CPR/First Aid certification or ability to obtain
• Completion and maintenance of Vulnerable Sector Verification
• A reliable vehicle, driver’s licence, $1,000,000 liability insurance, and a clean driving record
• Flexibility to work extended hours as necessary
• Ability to occasionally travel within Ontario for limited periods of time