Major Case Investigator

Are you an experienced investigator with a background in enforcement? Are you results-oriented and mission-driven in approach? Animal Welfare Services at the Ministry of the Solicitor General is seeking professional, dedicated and experienced individuals across Ontario to conduct complex investigations in response to animal welfare complaints, including the most egregious alleged contraventions of the Provincial Animals Welfare Services (PAWS Act).

Note:
• These positions require irregular hours with potential for overtime with minimal or no notice (including mornings, afternoons, and evenings), as well as rotational after hours standby to provide support to police services. This is non-negotiable.
• There will be requirements for extensive and extended travel (sometimes on short notice) throughout the province, including remote areas.

Animal Welfare Service Regions:
Greater Toronto Area (GTA): Mississauga, Whitby, Niagara Falls
Central: Bracebridge, Peterborough, Barrie
East: Kingston, Ottawa, Cornwall
West: Sarnia, London, Owen Sound
North: Sudbury, North Bay, South Porcupine

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

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.

We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's Human Rights Code. Refer to the "How to apply" section if you require a disability-related accommodation.

What can I expect to do in this role?

• Plan and conduct major investigations and review complaints surrounding the welfare of animals in accordance with the PAWS Act, including cases that require multiple follow-ups stretching over weeks and months, involving large numbers of animals, coordination between multiple partners and service providers, and several investigations happening concurrently.
• Coordinate and conduct compliance and enforcement activities of commercial and residential owners of animals under provincial and federal animal welfare statutes and regulations.
• Support the development of the Major Investigation Management (MIM) unit through the development of tools and processes that will establish a strong investigative unit responsible for complex, high-profile cases.
• Enforce the PAWS Act, develop warrants, lay charges.
• Handle highly sensitive, urgent issues pertaining to the welfare of animals on short notice with a diverse set of stakeholders.
• Provide guidance, leadership and advice to Animal Welfare Inspectors, Senior Investigators and management on complex investigations, and assist with routine service calls in your respective region and neighboring regions.
• Prepare reports, correspondence and case files for investigations and inspections.
• Provide testimony in court proceedings.
• Apply best practices in investigative tools, processes and procedures to ensure positive outcomes on cases.


The work environment of a Major Case Investigator:
• The position is very demanding psychologically with a requirement of managing people who may have difficult and aggressive personalities and/or people who may struggle with mental health.
• The position requires assessing, touching, lifting, and approaching a wide variety of animals including but not limited to dogs, cats, horses, cattle, swine, sheep, exotics, primates, marine mammals, etc. The position can at times be very physically demanding.
• The position can involve being exposed to multiple chemicals, biological and environmental hazards while on the job. This includes working in environments where there is a presence of strong odors, feces, dead animals, blood, loud noise, cold/hot/inclement weather, etc.
• Animal Welfare Services (AWS) defines major cases as egregious alleged contraventions of the PAWS Act (e.g., dogfighting, cross border animal trade, and acts of animal cruelty), cases of investigative complexity (e.g., multiple concurrent inspections, multiple leads, witnesses, information and/or data), and special and or complex cases based on severity, scope, profile, for example cases involving significant media coverage, high number of animals, and/or resource-intensive animals (e.g., due to size, needs, or safety risks).

How do I qualify?

Mandatory

• a valid Ontario class G driver's license or equivalent as recognized by the province of Ontario. The offer of employment is conditional upon the successful candidates providing proof that they have a valid driver's license upon being hired.
• to obtain and maintain Provincial Security Clearance, Provincial Offences Officer and Peace Officer Status.
• to Pass the Regulatory Compliance Training, Personal Safety Training and Animal Welfare Training Programs (provided on the job).
• to complete Major Investigation Management (MIM) training (provided on the job).
• to wear a uniform and carry personal safety equipment (baton, handcuffs and OC spray).
• to work extended and irregular hours with minimal or no notice, rotational, after hours on call will be required to provide support to police services. There will be requirements for extended travel (sometimes on short notice) through the Province including remote areas.

Investigation, Enforcement and Compliance Expertise:

• You have thorough experience and knowledge of specialized investigative techniques, judicial procedures, rules of evidence and courtroom procedures to carry out investigations, gather and interpret evidence and make recommendations.
• You have experience planning investigations including creating a strategy/approach, gathering, interpreting and assessing evidence.
• You have interviewing skills to obtain information and evidence from complainants, representatives and witnesses during investigation interviews.
• You can apply intervention techniques to resolve conflicts and adversarial situations, address varying viewpoints, deal with multiple individuals involved in an investigation and facilitate a resolution.

Specialized Knowledge and Experience:

• You have demonstrated knowledge of and experience using, the major case management (MCM) methodology with emphasis on accountability and a multi-disciplinary approach to investigations of major cases, including experience using common case management technology, working as part of a centralized coordinating body, and adhering to investigative standards.
• You have knowledge of the diverse aspects of animal welfare and protection, including the management processes, welfare practices, stakeholders involved, and federal/provincial statutes, legislative and regulatory frameworks as they relate to animal welfare inspections and enforcement.
• You can demonstrate knowledge of risks and priorities associated to animal welfare enforcement in commercial and residential environments and ability to mitigate risks and advance priorities.
• You have knowledge of the Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) Act.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills:

• You have communication and consultation skills to conduct interviews, explain investigation principles and processes, advise management on investigative findings, present analyses, make recommendations and provide testimony in court.
• You have communication skills to develop and write investigation analyses, recommendations, reports and summaries of findings which may be used in court proceedings.
• You can apply tact and discretion to gather, discuss and disclose sensitive and confidential information.
• You can remain sensitive, impartial and empathetic to interview complainants who may exhibit emotional, irate or confrontational behavior and defuse potential volatile situations.
• You can build and maintain partnerships with internal and external clients and stakeholders.

Analytical Skills:

• You have analytical skills to lead investigation analysis review, synthesize information from multiple sources, develop, write and deliver in-depth analytical reports.
• You can compile evidence and conduct a detailed summary analysis of findings.
• You can assess each individual situation and make recommendations for resolution based on specific investigation findings.
• You can assess and determine risk indicators, potential impact and outcomes, identify and advise on mitigation strategies.
• You are proficient with operating computer applications, data bases, spreadsheets and case management systems to develop analytical reports, prepare case summaries and update information.