POSITION DESCRIPTION Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations

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1 POSITION DESCRIPTION Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations POSITION TITLE: Planning Officer POSITION NUMBER(S): DIVISION: (e.g., Division, Region, Department) UNIT: (e.g., Branch, Area, District) APPROVED CLASSIFICATION BC Timber Sales, Timber Operations and Pricing Division BC Timber Sales (BCTS) LSO 3 LOCATION: CLASS CODE SUPERVISOR S TITLE: Timber Sales Manager POSITION SUPERVISOR S CLASSIFICATION: Business Leadership NUMBER PHONE NUMBER: Various Various Sites Various PROGRAM BC Timber Sales (BCTS) was founded in 2003 with a mandate to provide the cost and price benchmarks for timber harvested from public land in British Columbia. BCTS plans, develops, and auctions as much as 20% of the province s annual available volume. The bid prices received from auctioned timber and costs of developing the timber are available to support market-based pricing of the province s timber. BCTS is an autonomous organization within the Ministry with staff located in the headquarters unit in Victoria and in the 12 Business Areas, which are geographically dispersed throughout the province. Despite its operational and financial independence, BCTS remains a proud part of the Natural Resource Sector and maintains mutually productive and beneficial relations with all other parts of the Ministry. BCTS has four business goals that are guided by the overriding principles of safety, sound forest management. and effective relationships BCTS: 1. Is a high performing organization with skilled, motivated and proud people. 2. Provides a credible reference point for costs and pricing of timber harvested from public land in BC. 3. Provides a reliable supply of timber to the market, through open and competitive auctions subject to meeting the requirements of cost and price referencing as stated in Goal Maximizes net revenue for the province subject to the requirements of cost and price referencing as stated in Goal 3 and supplying timber for auction as stated in Goal 3. BCTS is committed to the safety of all people affected by its operations which is demonstrated by the achievement of SAFE Company certification. Sound forest management is another commitment of BCTS. BCTS is the largest tree planter in the province and has achieved and maintained maintaining certification of an Environmental Management System in all Business Areas under the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 14001) and achieving Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) certification over three-quarters of its operating areas. Page 1 of 7

2 PURPOSE OF POSITION The Planning Officer is responsible for all the strategic and integrated planning processes required for the business area. The position synthesizes information from a wide variety of stakeholders to develop the pivotal Forest Stewardship Plan (FSP) for the business area as well as leads or participates with various ministries and inter-agencies to develop higher level and local plans such as Land and Resource Management Plans (LRMP). The Planning Officer identifies the fiduciary obligations of the TSO with regard to First Nations groups and provides leadership to the consultation process. Furthermore, this position is accountable for ensuring that all planning initiatives are in compliance legislative requirements as well as represents the TSO during planning audits by Field Services and the Forest Practices Board. NATURE OF WORK AND POSITION LINKS With increasing pressure to improve forestry practices amidst growing demand for more efficient and cost effective resource management, the Planning Officer plays a key role in developing balanced forestry plans which optimize revenue targets while meeting the legislative and environmental requirements. The position is one of three reporting to the Timber Sales Manager and is the professional expert representing the TSO for local, internal and external or integrated planning initiatives. The position operates independently with work outputs being periodically reviewed for internal synchronicity with business objectives and adherence to technical requirements. The position supervises a Planning Forester(s), GIS Technician(s) and may supervise an Engineering Officer as well as provides functional direction to operations staff. The position establishes and maintains productive working relationships with ministry staff, forestry industry, community groups, First Nations, environmental groups and other stakeholders. SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITIES / DELIVERABLES 1. Development of the business area Forest Stewardship Plan (FSP): 55% develops and maintains local procedures and standards for the FSP approval process; reviews tentative TSL blocks based on factors such as timber types, ecology, topography, stakeholder input etc. reviews revision requests and approves TSLs for further development; forecasts revenue/cost ratios (R/C) over the term of the FSP and proposes the TSL development sequence required to meet R/C targets based on operational and market inputs; determines the requirement for technical/field assessments for initial FSP and as required for updates and amendments; identifies and submits contract requirements/specifications for planning activities/ assessments including Archaeological Impact Assessments, Terrain Stability Field Assessment landscape reviews, GIS activities etc. to the Business Officer; oversees short-, medium- and long-term timber volume analyses to ensure an adequate supply of representative quality timber exists for sale to BCTS bidders; determines Silviculture system targets for the business area at the landscape level based on legislative requirements, costs and the similarity with major licensee activities in the area; identifies the need for First Nations consultation with regard to BCTS activities including potential infringement of aboriginal rights, historical and cultural values, and where appropriate requests advice on Page 2 of 7

3 mitigation, in accordance with the Ministry consultation guidelines and with the statutory responsibility of BCTS, and provides leadership to the consultation process; consults other agencies, industry, special interest groups or individuals as required; documents consultation activities and incorporates the results into the FSP; identifies major resource issues, competing interests, interactions and potential conflicts and recommends strategies for achieving the objectives of the FSP; reviews and approves the two-year Sales Plans (disposal) for each field team in the business area ensuring that the timber offered for sale represents the timber harvested by majors, meets pricing benchmark objectives and is appropriate given the current market activity/demand; identifies the need for and negotiates agreements with the multiple private sector licensees (i.e. Defined forest area management agreements); oversees the development of monitoring framework, plans and conformance reporting strategies and mechanisms to assess strategic planning and forest management activities against legislation, policy and EMS requirements; coordinates the analyses and achievement reporting of FSP objectives; reviews draft timber sales documentation/package for accuracy and quality, ensures the incorporation of clauses to achieve FSP plan goals and proposes amendments; reviews all Timber Sales to ensure the planning and professional obligations of the FSP, Forest and Range Stewardship Act and Forest Act, are met; reviews and approves proposed amendments to the TSL (i.e. relocation of an access road or boundary or wildlife tree area) where the amendments require changes to FSP; reviews field teams monitoring results, enforces FSP goals and requirements, investigates and addresses any potential areas of non-compliance with legislative, policy or EMS requirements; represents the TSO during Field Services and Forest Practices Board audits of planning activities; investigates and responds to potential contraventions of legislative requirements and implements remedial measures where contraventions are identified; and, coordinates the review of TSL extension applications and recommends approval or rejection. 2. Development of other local plans and input into higher level plans : 30% oversees public involvement processes including consulting with other ministries, forest industry, environmental groups, local governments, community groups and First Nations, addresses and integrates potential competing interests into BCTS operational and planning initiatives; leads the development of strategic plans for the business area including total resource, access management, visual quality objectives etc.; ensures plans are consistent, compatible with higher level plans and based on sound scientific forestry practices and that objectives are integrated in operational and working plans; provides business area input into higher level integrated resource management plans (e.g. Local Resource Management Plan, Landscape Unit Plans, Timber Supply Reviews); facilitates BCTS planning meetings with resources users ensuring planning processes are open, unbiased avenues for receiving planning advice and input; and, develops, prepares and updates the planning portion of the TSO business plan. 3. Supervises professional and technical staff: 10% manages and supervises a team of professional and technical staff which may include Planning Forester(s), Engineering Officer and GIS Technician(s); prepares performance plans and evaluates performance including providing constructive feedback, coaching and carrying out disciplinary action as required; develops, prepares and updates training plans based on business plan goals, staff performance evaluations, audit results, and staff input; and, Page 3 of 7

4 organizes staff training sessions or updates on Transportation of Dangerous Goods, WCB, first aid etc and ensures staff follow and apply ministry operational safe work standards. 4. Other related duties: 5% provides planning expertise in the development of tracking and monitoring databases; prepares written responses to letters concerning the planning issues in the business area; evaluates BCTS planning systems and procedures, providing innovative and cost effective alternatives and implementing changes as required; provides recommendations to improve legislation, regulations, policies and procedures; formulates background material for BCTS appeals; attends various meetings (TSA steering committee, TNAC, etc) to represent BCTS; and, prepares section budget and provides appropriate fiscal management of assigned resources. FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Varies DIRECT SUPERVISION (i.e., responsibility for signing the employee appraisal form) Role # of Regular FTE s # of Auxiliary FTE s Directly supervises staff Supervises staff through subordinate supervisors PROJECT /TEAM LEADERSHIP OR TRAINING (Check the appropriate boxes) Role # of FTE s Role # of FTE s Supervises students or volunteers 1-2 Provides formal training to other staff 1-2 Lead project teams Assigns, monitors and examines the work of staff PREPARED BY NAME: DATE: EXCLUDED MANAGER AUTHORIZATION I confirm that: 1. the accountabilities / deliverables were assigned to this position effective. 2. the information in this position description reflects the actual work performed. 3. a copy has / will be provided to the incumbent(s). NAME: SIGNATURE: DATE: Page 4 of 7

5 ORGANIZATION CHART Deputy Minister Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Assistant Deputy Minister, BC Timber Sales, Strategic Leadership Executive Director, BC Timber Sales, Strategic Leadership Generic TSO Organizational Chart Timber Sales Manager Business Leadership Business Manager Business Leadership Planning Officer LSO 3 Engineering Specialist STO 24 Specialist Woodlands Manager Business Leadership Certification Standards Officer Business Analyst FO 14 Planning Forester LSO 2 GIS/Data Analyst Woodlands Supervisor/Area Forester STO 27-LSO 3/LSO 3 Resource Clerk Clerk 11 GIS Analyst Practices Forester LSO 2 GIS Technician STO 18 Engineering Technologist Operations Technologist Forest Technologist STO 18 *Specific to some TSO offices *Field Operations Supervisor STO 24 Page 5 of 7

6 SELECTION CRITERIA Professional Certification, Education and Experience You must be a Registered Professional Forester (RPF), or be eligible for registration as an RPF with the Association of BC Forest Professionals (ABCFP) Bachelor of Science in Forestry, Forestry Engineering, or other relevant area and 5 years of current (gained over the last 7 years), progressive and directly related forestry experience. Or the equivalent combination of experience and education such as, the pupil program and 5 years of experience or a related diploma and 7 years of experience; directly related forestry experience includes timber sales planning, forestry planning or integrated resource management; prefer program administration experience including allocating resources, managing/supervising staff and administering budgets; and, demonstrated experience organizing and managing complex concurrent initiatives. Technical Knowledge considerable knowledge of resource planning and management concepts, information management and land management issues; considerable knowledge of operational planning specifically inventory, silviculture, timber harvesting, tenures, engineering and timber pricing ; working knowledge of Ministry of Forests and particularly BCTS structure, mandate, programs and priorities; working knowledge of the regulatory framework including the Forest Act, the Range Act, the Forest and Range Stewardship Act and other related legislation; working knowledge of timber supply analyses, methodologies, data requirements and current management; working knowledge of the planning functions and interrelations of federal, provincial, municipal and First Nation governments (i.e. MRSM/WALAP, fisheries & oceans, the oil and gas commission etc.); working knowledge of external stakeholders and consultation processes and responsibilities; working knowledge of contract administration, monitoring and quality control concepts and activities; and, working knowledge of computerized information systems and applications including resource database systems and analytical and reporting systems. Management Skills demonstrated ability to formulate innovative solutions to solve problems and achieve goals; ability to lead, organize, manage and motivate staff and/or teams; ability to manage individual and/or work team performance by setting goals and standards, evaluating performance and correcting where applicable; and, ability to oversee and coordinate several concurrent operational activities. Technical Skills demonstrated ability to co-ordinate, direct and prioritize reviews and assessments to develop a unit planning strategy; demonstrated ability to review data for completeness and reliability and interpret and analyze; demonstrated ability to develop, review, analyze and monitor goals, strategies and business plans to ensure program objectives and commitments are met; demonstrated ability to gather, interpret and analyze technical and subjective information in order to verify conclusions and provide advice and recommendations; demonstrated ability to identify, analyze, develop and implement new and creative solutions to complex problems; demonstrated ability to initiate, award, administer, monitor and interpret terms and conditions of contracts; Page 6 of 7

7 demonstrated ability to write a wide variety of documents, such as technical reports, briefing notes and letters in a clear concise manner; and, demonstrated ability to work in a computerized environment. Interpersonal and Communication Skills Demonstrated ability to: successfully establish and maintain respectful, productive and cooperative working relationships with ministry staff and, public and private stakeholders; facilitate consultation processes with multiple user and special interest groups with potentially conflicting goals to reach agreement on controversial issues; prepare, provide and obtain clear, concise and complete oral and written information of a complex and technical nature at a level appropriate to the audience in a timely manner; plan, prepare and deliver oral presentations and training to diverse groups inside and outside government and to provide technical information at a level appropriate to the audience; obtain the co-operation of contractors, licensees and staff, to comply with policy, procedures regulations and timelines and to effectively use conflict resolution skills. assign, assist, co-ordinate and where applicable, monitor individuals who you may or may not supervise, but on whose output you depend; and, work as an effective, productive and cooperative member of a team. Organizational Skills organize and manage activities and projects independently while taking into consideration changing priorities and deadlines, emerging issues, impacts of decisions, competing and conflicting demands, while keeping manager, staff and colleagues informed of progress and significant issues. COMPETENCIES Behavioural Competencies Results Focus-(Level 4)-is a concern for surpassing a standard of excellence. The standard may be one s own past performance (striving for improvement); an objective measure (achievement orientation); challenging goals that one has set; or even improving or surpassing what has already been done (continuous improvement). Thus, a unique accomplishment also indicates a Results Orientation. Service Orientation-(Level 4)-implies a desire to identify and serve customers/clients, who may include the public, co-workers, other branches/divisions, other ministries/agencies, other government organizations, and non-government organizations. It means focusing one s efforts on discovering and meeting the needs of the customer/client. Teamwork and Co-operation-(Level 3)-is the ability to work co-operatively within diverse teams, work groups and across the organization to achieve group and organizational goals. It includes the desire and ability to understand and respond effectively to other people from diverse backgrounds with diverse views. Business Acumen-(Level 3)-is the ability to understand the business implications of decisions and the ability to strive to improve organizational performance. It requires an awareness of business issues, processes and outcomes as they impact the client's and the organization's business needs. Improving Operations-(Level 3)-is the ability and motivation to apply one's knowledge and past experience for improving upon current modes of operation within the Ministry. This behaviour ranges from adapting widely used approaches to developing entirely new value-added solutions. Page 7 of 7

8 Decisive Insight-(Level 3)-combines the ability to draw on one's own experience, knowledge and training and effectively problem-solve increasingly difficult and complex situations. It involves breaking down problems, tracing implications and recognizing patterns and connections that are not obviously related. It translates into identifying underlying issues and making the best decisions at the most appropriate time. At higher levels, the parameters upon which to base the decision become increasingly complex and ambiguous and call upon novel ways to think through issues. Planning, Organizing and Coordinating-(Level 3)-involves proactively planning, establishing priorities and allocating resources. It is expressed by developing and implementing increasingly complex plans. It also involves monitoring and adjusting work to accomplish goals and deliver to the organization s mandate. Strategic Orientation-(Level 3)-is the ability to link long-range visions and concepts to daily work, ranging from a simple understanding to a sophisticated awareness of the impact of the world at large on strategies and on choices. Self-Confidence-(Level 4)-is a belief in one's own capability to accomplish a task and select an effective approach to a task or problem. This includes confidence in one's ability as expressed in increasingly challenging circumstances and confidence in one's decision or opinions. Impact and Influence-(Level 4)-is the ability to influence, persuade, or convince others to adopt a specific course of action. It involves the use of persuasive techniques, presentations or negotiation skills to achieve desired results. Information Seeking-(Level 3) -is driven by a desire to know more about things, people or issues. It implies going beyond the questions that are routine or required in the job. It may include "digging" or pressing for exact information; resolution of discrepancies by asking a series of questions; or less-focused environmental "scanning" for potential opportunities or miscellaneous information that may be of future use. Organizational Awareness-(Level 3)- is the acumen to appreciate and the ability to use the power relationships in either one s own, or other, organization(s). This includes the ability to identify the real decision-makers and the individuals who can influence them; and to predict how new events or situations will affect individuals and groups within the organization. Relationship Building-(Level 3)-is working to build or maintain ethical relationships or networks or contacts with people who are, or may be, potentially helpful in achieving work-related goals and establishing advantages. These people may include customers, clients, counterparts, colleagues, etc Empowerment-(Level 4)-is the ability to share responsibility with individuals and groups so that they have a deep sense of commitment and ownership. People who practice empowerment participate and contribute at high levels, are creative and innovative, take sound risks, are willing to be held accountable and demonstrate leadership. They also foster teamwork among employees, across government and with colleagues, and, as appropriate, facilitate the effective use of teams. Holding People Accountable-(Level 4)-involves setting high standards of performance and holding team members, other government jurisdictions, outside contractors, industry agencies, etc., accountable for results and actions. Leadership-(Level 3)-implies a desire to lead others, including diverse teams. Leadership is generally, but not always, demonstrated from a position of formal authority. The "team" here should be understood broadly as any group with which the person interacts regularly. Page 8 of 7