District Manager

Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry; Sault Ste. Marie; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Environment, Conservation and Parks in Ontario is seeking a District Manager to lead the Regional Operations Division in Northeastern Ontario. You will guide a committed team, translate ministry priorities into local action, and support communities, partnerships, and the sustainable management of natural resources.

You will build relationships with First Nations, municipalities, industry partners and stakeholders, shape strategic priorities, and help ensure decisions and programs deliver lasting

Qualifications

• Experience leading district operations in a public service environment.
• Ability to build partnerships with First Nations, municipalities, and stakeholders.
• Strong strategic planning and decision-making skills.
• Commitment to inclusive leadership and workplace diversity.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic direction of district operations that support sustainable management of natural resources and community well-being.
• Build trusted relationships with First Nations, municipalities, industry representatives, and government partners to advance shared priorities.
• Foster an engaged and inclusive workplace where employees understand how their work contributes to ministry goals.
• Guide the resolution of complex issues by balancing diverse interests and enabling informed decision-making.
• Drive delivery of programs, services, and priorities across the district.
• Align district priorities with ministry direction to deliver responsive services.

Skills

Inclusive leadership

Strategic planning

Decision making

Relationship building

Job description

Lead Resource Management and Community Partnerships in Northeastern Ontario.
Join the Ministry of Natural Resources as a District Manager within the Regional Operations Division, the division responsible for delivering provincial resource management programs and services across Ontario. Leading a highly engaged team in northeastern Ontario, you will help translate ministry priorities into local action while supporting communities, partnerships, and the sustainable management of natural resources.
In this role, you will build relationships with First Nations, municipalities, industry partners, and stakeholders, guide strategic priorities, and help ensure that decisions and programs provide lasting value for the people of Ontario. As part of a division that delivers resource management programs through a network of regions and districts across the province, you will play a key role in addressing local needs while contributing to broader ministry objectives.
The work you lead has a direct impact on how natural resources are managed, how communities are engaged, and how ministry priorities are delivered across the district. Whether you are supporting partnerships with First Nations, guiding complex decisions, or leading teams through changing priorities, you will help create positive outcomes that balance environmental stewardship, community needs, and long-term public benefit. If you are motivated by meaningful leadership, relationship-building, and the opportunity to make a difference across a diverse and evolving landscape, we encourage you to apply.
The Ontario Public Service: Strengthening Ontario, together.
A career in the Ontario Public Service (OPS) is driven by purpose. We're building a stronger Ontario by delivering programs and services that make a real difference in people's lives. If you share this ambition, you'll find a workplace that reflects the diversity of the people we serve and empowers you to lead with confidence.

About the job

We believe great leadership starts with high standards and strong support. In the OPS, that means showing up with authenticity, acting with integrity, and having the courage to do what's right, even when it's hard.
As a leader, you'll shape a team culture that sparks innovation, supports collaboration, and champions inclusion. You'll help build a workplace that is diverse, anti-racist, and accessible, where everyone feels safe, respected, and able to thrive.
You won't be doing it alone. We invest in our leaders through mentorship, learning opportunities, and cross-ministry networks that help you grow your impact and connect with peers across the organization.
Leadership is about impact, and in this role, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful one. You will:

• Lead the strategic direction of district operations that support the sustainable management of natural resources and contribute to the social, environmental, and economic well-being of Ontario communities.
• Build trusted relationships with First Nations, municipalities, industry representatives, and government partners to advance shared priorities and lasting community outcomes.
• Foster an engaged and inclusive workplace where employees understand how their work contributes to ministry goals and delivers value to the people of Ontario.
• Guide the resolution of complex issues by balancing diverse interests, supporting constructive dialogue, and enabling informed decision-making.
• Drive the successful delivery of programs, services, and operational priorities that support communities, stakeholders, and ministry objectives across the district.
• Align district priorities with ministry direction to deliver responsive services and meaningful outcomes in a dynamic and evolving operating environment.

Meet the Regional Director: Sylvain Lévesque became the Regional Director for the Northeast Region in February 2021. Sylvain started his career with the ministry in Kirkland District as a Project Forester in 1990, then transitioned to the private sector as a Registered Professional Forester. Over the last twenty-five years, he has held numerous executive roles in forest cooperatives and associations, demonstrating a strong ability to motivate and engage diverse groups to foster a culture of collaboration among stakeholders with varying and competing interests. Sylvain's leadership style focuses on empowering and supporting staff to use their sound judgment to make informed decisions. He champions open and honest dialogue, consistently valuing and respecting the diverse views and opinions of others. Sylvain is committed to the continuous improvement of client service delivery, ensuring that the needs of clients are met efficiently and effectively. He also emphasizes the importance of supporting sustainable management practices to create economic development opportunities.

What you bring to the team

Leadership and Team Management

• Inclusive Leadership: Foster a respectful, inclusive, and high-performing team culture where employees feel valued and supported to contribute their best work.
• Building Team Performance: Promote accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement to help teams achieve shared goals and deliver results.
• Coaching and Development: Provide feedback, guidance, and learning opportunities that support employee growth and long-term success.

Strategic Leadership and Decision-Making

• Strategic Planning: Set priorities, align resources, and translate long-term objectives into practical actions that support organizational goals.
• Decision-Making: Assess information, consider risks and impacts, and make informed decisions in complex and evolving situations.
• Problem-Solving: Identify issues, evaluate options, and implement practical solutions that support effective outcomes and continuous improvement.

Relationship Management and Community Engagement

• Building Partnerships: Establish and maintain productive relationships with First Nations, municipalities, industry representatives, government partners, and stakeholders.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Engage diverse groups to understand different perspectives, build trust, and advance shared priorities.
• Managing Complex Relationships: Navigate competing interests, resolve challenges constructively, and maintain productive partnerships that support community and organizational outcomes.

Communication and Political Acuity

• Communication: Communicate clearly and effectively with a range of audiences, adapting your approach to support understanding and informed decision-making.
• Influence and Engagement: Build alignment among diverse interests and gain support for priorities, initiatives and decisions in complex environments.
• Political Acuity: Recognize how government priorities, public interests, and organizational considerations influence decisions and stakeholder relationships.

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:

• diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
• accessibility
• Anti-Racism Policy

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.