Exit memo: manager, central region support section

We asked members of the Apolitical Community to write-up a prospective “exit memo” for their role to increase visibility of the different kinds of work being done across government.

Your job title: Manager, Central Region Technical Support Section

How would you describe your job to a friend?

I oversee scientists and technical staff who are responsible for providing scientific support to district offices and approvals on compliance-related activities.

What are your daily/weekly/monthly responsibilities?

Issues management, ensuring minister and ADM requests are responded to promptly. Troubleshooting, proactively flagging issues to the right parts of the minister as well as ensuring district offices, approvals, and other parts of the ministry are getting the technical and scientific advice they need.

Ensuring the CR director is briefed on any issues the team is involved with and their role, flagging potential issues or contentious files that may come up in the future and that the team may be asked to provide support for. Review of information, briefing and house notes, as well as media communications, and responses to public and stakeholders on complex or contentious files.

In HR and Procurement: ensuring appropriate staffing. Engaging staff and supporting their needs. making sure all appropriate directives are followed with respect to procurements. Ensuring staff are kept abreast of ministry initiatives/direction and encouraging them to be involved in ministry-wide initiatives. Working with staff to identify learning opportunities and support career development opportunities. Overseeing section budget.

In Health & Safety: ensuring all mandatory training is completed by staff. Making sure all H&S protocols are followed. Promoting a safe and bias-free work environment. Dealing with staff issues as they arise, and providing disciplinary action when necessary. Functional review of Technical Support Services.

What does your successor need to know to succeed?

You need:

• Good people skills
• Scientific/technical background to be able to understand the fundamentals of the work of the staff and provide meaningful advice/ troubleshoot complex issues and files
• Good communication skills with an ability to convey complex technical information in plain language
• Knowledge of HR, H&S and procurement directives
• Familiarity of issues management and protocols for media correspondence

What are some current projects you're working on?:

• Functional Review of Technical Support Services
• Employee Engagement - implementation of identified initiatives
• Anti-Racism awareness - implementation of recommendations
• Working with district offices to promote place-based approaches to technical support in the region
• Incorporating new tools like analytics and new drone capabilities to enhance the support provided by the section

Want to increase visibility for your work, and help colleagues learn about your role? Inform the Apolitical community and submit your own exit memo here.

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