Local recruitment: Senior Policy Advisor - Waters

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

Peterborough, ON, Canada 🇨🇦

Toronto, ON, Canada 🇨🇦

  • Job ID: 233100
  • Posting status: Open
  • Organization: Ministry of Natural Resources
  • Division: Policy Division / Development and Hazard Policy Branch
  • City: Peterborough, Toronto
  • Position(s) language: English
  • Job term: 4 Temporary up to 6 months with the possibility of extension
  • Job code: 6A008 – ProgPlanEval06
  • Salary: $82,217.00 – $121,155.00 Per year

Do you have a solid policy background with a track record of success in developing evidence-based policy and working with diverse groups of stakeholders to achieve agreement? If so, consider bringing your skills to the Ministry of Natural Resources, Development and Hazard Policy Branch, where you will help shape policies that protect Ontario’s communities and natural landscapes.

Information Session:

We are offering an opportunity for those interested to attend a virtual session to learn more about the division and the positions to be filled.
Date: August 21st, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM

A link to the information session is here.

Remember to add this event to your calendar
* This session is optional and has no impact on hiring decisions

About the job

In this role, you’ll contribute to forward-thinking solutions that address environmental risks, support sustainable growth, and ensure our policies remain effective and responsive in a rapidly evolving province.

As a Senior Policy Advisor, you will:
• Provide leadership for policy and program development including the development and review of water resources and natural hazard management policies and programs
• Conduct research and analysis and environmental scans
• Lead and coordinate consultation sessions with stakeholder groups
• Evaluate the adequacy, effectiveness and relevance of existing programs, policies, compliance initiatives and plans on an ongoing basis
• Lead or coordinate the development of strategic program implementation plans
• Provide strategic advice and scientific, technical and/or operational guidance and interpretation
• Lead and/or participate in projects and initiatives

What you bring to the team

Policy Development Experience

You have:
• Experience applying laws, treaties, and agreements to suggest changes, ensure compliance, and give advice.
• Knowledge of mandates, priorities, and programs to support policy and program development.
• Understanding of budgeting and approval processes to guide decisions and support business cases.

Research and Analytical Skills

You have:
• Experience using research methods to conduct scans, analyze policies, and assess the effectiveness of programs, policies, and legislation.
• The ability to apply risk assessment principles to make recommendations, develop business cases, and set program priorities.

Communication and Relationship Management Skills

You can:
• Write and edit strategy, policy, and planning documents, reports, and correspondence.
• Lead presentations, briefings, committees, and working groups.
• Collaborate on policy development, provide advice, and help resolve issues.
• Use software tools for planning, analysis, and presentations.
• Build consensus and represent the ministry in consultations with diverse stakeholders.
• Maintain strong working relationships and partnerships.

Project Management and Leadership Skills:

You can:
• Lead and manage multiple medium- to large-sized projects using established planning and management methods.
• Direct project teams and chair working groups and task teams.
• Manage project budgets using financial and accounting processes.

Don’t meet every qualification?

If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!

How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario’s Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer  accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please  contact us.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:

What we offer

The Ontario Public Service is one of Ontario’s largest employers. Employees work for 29 ministries, with offices in more than 70 cities across the province. We offer:
• a career that can grow across ministries and job functions
• flexible learning and developmental opportunities, including education and mentorship programs
• many employee networks offering support for and education about underrepresented groups
• comprehensive benefits that look after your holistic wellness needs
• base salary that aligns to market trends with performance-based pay and scheduled salary progression
• tailored work arrangements, including opportunities like flex hours, self-funded leave and more
• a modern, friendly and accessible physical work environment

Additional information:

Apply by: Monday, September 8, 2025 11:59 pm EDT

Position details: 4 English Temporary, duration up to 6 months, 300 Water St, Peterborough, East Region or 99 Wellesley St, Toronto, Toronto Region

Compensation group: Association of Management, Administrative and Professional Crown Employees of Ontario

Work hours: Schedule 6

Category: Policy and Analysis

Posted on: Friday, August 15, 2025

Note:

  • The information that you provide for the purpose of this competition and the results from this competition may be used to fill other positions. These positions may be of various tenures including short-term assignments. Your information and the results from this competition will be retained for the purpose of filling vacancies in accordance with the applicable collective agreement or policy provisions.
  • T-NR-233100/25

How to apply:

  1. You must apply online.
  2. Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed five (5) pages. For tips and tools on how to write a concise cover letter and resume, review the Writing a Cover Letter and Resume: Tips, Tools and Resources.
  3. Customize your cover letter and resume to the qualifications listed on the job ad. Using concrete examples, you must show how you demonstrated the requirements for this job. We rely on the information you provide to us.
  4. Read the job description to make sure you understand this job.
  5. OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.
  6. If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please Contact Us to provide your contact information. Recruitment services team will contact you within 48 hours.

Language requirements and assessment:
All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the “position(s) language” section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you’ll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.

Exigences en matière de langue et évaluation:
Toutes les offres d’emploi externes de la fonction publique de l’Ontario (FPO) sont affichées en français et en anglais. Consultez la section « Langue du ou des postes » en haut de chaque offre d’emploi pour connaître les exigences linguistiques. Pour tous les postes, les candidats sont évalués en anglais, la langue d’affaires de la FPO. Si le poste est bilingue (anglais/français), vous devrez également passer un test de compétences linguistiques en français.

Strengthening Ontario, together

12 days remaining

Apply by 8 September, 2025

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IHE Delft - MSc in Water and Sustainable Development