Policy Advisor, Public Lands

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Apply By: Thursday, November 26, 2026 11:59 pm EST

Policy Advisor, Public Lands

Job ID:

250522

Posting status:

Open

Organization:

Ministry of Natural Resources

Division:

Policy Division, Crown Forests and Lands Policy Branch

City:

Peterborough

Position(s) language:

English

Job term:

1 Permanent, 2 Temporary up to 12 months with possible extension

Job code:

5A007 - Policy05

Salary:

$80,089.00 - $115,402.00 Per year

Apply now

Accessibility support

Help shape the future of Ontario's public lands.

Are you looking to make a difference regarding the management of Ontario's public lands? Are you naturally curious and enjoy problem solving? If so, consider this exciting opportunity with the Crown Lands Policy Section, where you will join a team that provides policy advice and leadership on the management of Crown (public) lands in Ontario. Make an impact, by applying your knowledge and experience to the ongoing management of 77% of the land in Ontario.

The Crown Lands Policy Section provides legislative, regulatory and policy leadership for the Public Lands Act, including leadership for: the stewardship of public lands; the granting of rights, title and interests in public lands; roads and water crossings on public land; and sustainable economic development of public lands in support of the province's needs. More information on how public lands are managed in Ontario can be found on the ministry's website

Information Session
We are offering an opportunity for those interested to attend a virtual session to learn more about the division and the position to be filled.
Date: Thursday, November 19th, 2026
Time: 2:00 pm - 2:45 pm

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 will:
• Help shape provincial policies that guide the management and use of Ontario's Crown lands.
• Lead and/or coordinate policy projects from research and analysis through to recommendations and implementation.
• Translate complex issues into clear advice, briefing materials, and practical solutions for decision-makers.
• Identify emerging challenges and opportunities and contribute to innovative approaches to public land management.
• Work within a multi-disciplinary environment, regularly interacting with other ministry divisions and government ministries, and at times with stakeholders, Indigenous communities and municipal governments.

What you bring to the team

Policy Development and Analysis

You have:
• knowledge of legislative and policy development frameworks, processes, and principles, with experience contributing to the development, evaluation, and implementation of policies, programs, legislation, or strategic initiatives.
• experience researching, analyzing, and evaluating complex policy issues, trends, and emerging risks to develop practical, evidence-based recommendations.

Strategic Thinking and Problem Solving

You have:
• experience identifying emerging issues, risks, trends, and opportunities and assessing their potential impacts on policy, programs, or business priorities.
• demonstrated ability to analyze complex information, evaluate options, and develop practical solutions and recommendations to support informed decision-making.
• demonstrated political acuity and sound judgment

Project Management and Leadership

You have:
• experience leading or coordinating projects, including planning activities, managing timelines, identifying risks, and delivering results in a complex and fast-paced environment.
• demonstrated leadership skills, with experience coordinating cross-functional teams, guiding collaborative initiatives, and driving projects and policy priorities to successful outcomes.

Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management

You have:
• experience building and maintaining effective relationships with diverse stakeholders, Indigenous communities, industry representatives, and interest groups, to support policy and program objectives.
• experience consulting, collaborating, and working across organizations to gather input, address issues, build consensus, and advance complex initiatives.

Communication, Influence and Advisory Skills

You have:
• experience providing strategic advice and recommendations on complex issues
• consultation, negotiation, and influencing skills, with experience building consensus and advancing initiatives among stakeholders with diverse interests and perspectives.
• experience preparing and delivering briefings, presentations, reports, briefing notes, and other written products that communicate complex information clearly and effectively.

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

Additional information:

Apply by:

Thursday, November 26, 2026 11:59 pm EST

Position details:

• 1 English Permanent, 300 Water St, Peterborough, East Region
• 2 English Temporary, duration up to 12 months, 300 Water St, Peterborough, East Region

Compensation group:

Association of Management, Administrative and Professional Crown Employees of Ontario

Work hours:

Schedule 6

Category:

Policy and Analysis

Posted on:

Thursday, November 12, 2026

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