MECP has a full-service and internationally accredited provincial environmental testing laboratory that delivers over 1,500 types of tests via 152 consolidated testing methods and provides unique services to the ministry, OPS, publicly funded laboratories, private laboratories, municipalities, federal government laboratories, academia, and the people of Ontario. The over 750,000 tests conducted annually are vital to the health and safety of Ontarians and the government's commitment to a healthy economy.

This is an extraordinary opportunity to make a positive difference as an environmental leader working in the ministry's leading-edge scientific and analytical laboratory. The Laboratory Services Branch has a rewarding and challenging opportunity for an experienced, results oriented executive with strong leadership capacity and change management skills to direct and evolve all aspects of lab operations ensuring timely high quality analytical data, methods development and technical expertise is provided to Ministry clients and stakeholders. You will provide leadership to staff to ensure technical and scientific excellence in a safe and challenging work environment while modernizing service delivery and operations.

As the director, you are integral to:

monitoring, technical, and laboratory data that informs the setting of permissions and standards for air, water and land to protect Ontarian's health and ecosystem
sharing scientific methods, technical guidance, and updates with Ontario's labs and the broader scientific community through publications, workshops, and conferences
partnering with agencies like Public Health Ontario, the Ontario Provincial Police, and the Ministry of Finance to support forensic investigations, address emerging priorities, and enhance public safety
leading continuity of operations and contingency planning for facilities
planning for a potential replacement science complex

A career in the Ontario Public Service is driven by a passion for creating a stronger Ontario.

We foster a diverse and inclusive workplace where employees have the resources and opportunities they need to be fulfilled and inspired to move Ontario forward.

OPS Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism:

The OPS is an innovative, responsive, and accountable public service that works hard to be diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable. Diversifying leadership teams is a top OPS priority with the goal to achieve parity with the Ontario labour force by 2025 for the most underrepresented groups (Indigenous, racialized and persons with disabilities) in leadership positions.

To advance this goal, the OPS is collecting socio-demographic information that will help to address potential barriers and achieve equity in hiring. You are requested to complete the voluntary survey and contribute to building a more diverse, anti-racist, inclusive and accessible OPS.

The OPS invites all interested individuals to apply. As an organization that promotes equity and diversity, the OPS encourages applications from Indigenous, Black, racialized, and persons with disabilities. The OPS offers employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's Human Rights Code. A dedicated team of employment accommodation specialists are available to discuss individual accommodation needs and ensure the hiring process is inclusive and free from barriers. Contact them at ExecutiveAccommodations@ontario.ca if you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process. All information discussed related to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy, the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint and the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan to learn more about the OPS commitment to advancing racial equity, accessibility, diversity and inclusion in the public service.

What can I expect to do in this role?

About the Job

Leading the Laboratory Services Branch and reporting to the Assistant Deputy Minister, Environmental Sciences and Standards, you will:

lead and motivate your team to deliver high quality lab services and timely results with a commitment to service and innovation
problem solve to make appropriate decisions in a complex, highly specialized and scientific environment
provide timely issues management input, accurately and reflective of executive acuity
deliver effective communications with clear, understandable and succinct analysis of options
build and maintain strategic alliances, effective relationships and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders
leverage your excellent communications skills to convey sophisticated concepts and processes in clear, easy to understand language
advance the modernization of lab operations, analytics and client services
provide senior-level guidance for a large team while demonstrating the Ontario Public Service leadership behaviours and fostering a culture of collaboration, inclusion and excellence

Why join our team

This role comes with a comprehensive compensation and benefits package that includes:

twenty-five days (five weeks) paid vacation leave per annum
a defined-benefit lifetime pension plan
group health, dental, life and disability benefits
a $750-per-year health and wellness spending account
an employee and family assistance program, which provides confidential counseling services

How do I qualify?

Executive Leadership

You are a strategic executive leader who:

can navigate human resource and labour relations issues
is resilient and has experience leading and motivating high-performing specialized teams in a highly visible, sometimes challenging laboratory services environment
has experience leading change initiatives, championing transformation and moving forward innovative methods and technology

Job Specific Knowledge and Expertise

You are an expert in delivering laboratory services with:

specialized expertise in laboratory operations and science obtained from a university of recognized standing
extensive demonstrated progressive laboratory operational leadership experience
thorough knowledge of laboratory related issues and advances, including internationally accepted standards for accreditation
expert chemistry and/or microbiology knowledge to understand the significance of data and advise on technical issues
the ability to provide high quality data by ensuring methods and procedures are developed, reviewed and adhered to
experience in the effective management, allocation, procurement and forecasting of financial and human resources

Management and Political Acuity

You are a relationship builder and connector who:

leads a service organization by developing positive relationships with internal and external partners
has experience providing clear, strategic, understandable advice and recommendations to senior executives
displays consistently good judgement, diplomacy, and tact as you navigate complex, contentious, and sensitive situations
builds high performing teams and develops staff while holding individuals accountable to deliver on results

Additional Information:

Address:

1 English Permanent, 125 Resources Rd, Etobicoke, Toronto Region

Compensation Group:

Executive

Understanding the job ad - definitions

Schedule:

Category:

Executive

Posted on:

Monday, December 2, 2024

Note:

Note: The successful candidate will be required to be onsite for scheduled work hours. This role does not offer a hybrid or remote work option.
The OPS uses multiple methods to assess candidates for executive positions; these may include resume screening, interviews, assignments, psychometric assessments, simulations and reference checks.

How to apply:

You must apply online by visiting www.ontario.ca/careers. You must enter the job ID number in the Job ID search field to locate the job ad.
Your cover letter and résumé combined should not exceed five (5) pages.
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.
OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.
If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, contact the Executive Recruitment Unit at careersexecutive@ontario.ca.

Applicants to this competition may also be considered for other executive opportunities within the OPS.

All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

Remember: The deadline to apply is Friday, December 20, 2024 11:59 pm EST. Late applications will not be accepted.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.

All Ontario Public Service external job advertisements are posted in English and French. To confirm the language requirements of a job, check the "language of position" information at the top of each job ad. For all positions, candidates will be assessed in English, the business language of the Ontario Public Service. For English/French designated bilingual positions, candidates will also be assessed through French-language proficiency testing.

Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks jobs

Director, Laboratory Services Branch