Policy Analyst - Groundwater

at  The City of Vancouver

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Earth Science, Sustainability, or an equivalent field, and considerable related experience in implementing policies for a large, complex organization in the public sector, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience
• Experience designing and leading stakeholder engagement strategies

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of integrated water management and related policy, planning, design, and/or operations; knowledge of hydrogeology and groundwater management is an asset
• Proficient in business and economic analyses
• Knowledge of business analysis, process review and improvement (e.g., Lean principles)
• Excellent organizational and time management skills including the ability to deal effectively with multiple tasks meeting competing deadlines
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to manage projects across multiple departments, business processes and stakeholder groups
• Ability to research, develop and analyze policies and regulations, to evaluate the implications of proposals and to identify problems and recommend solutions
• Ability to analyze and interpret statistical and narrative data, to prepare comprehensive reports and present recommendations to senior management and Council
• Ability to exercise tact, discretion, diplomacy and independent judgement
• Ability to meet transportation requirements

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work remotely 1 – 4 days a week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite. At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.
Business Unit/Department: Engineering Services (1300)
Affiliation: CUPE 15 Non Pks
Employment Type: Regular Full Time
Position Start Date: Dec 2024 / Jan 2025
Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-029: $51.70 to $61.13 per hour

MAIN PURPOSE AND FUNCTION

The Policy Analyst is responsible for reviewing plans and developing and updating policies and bylaws to support the City’s groundwater management efforts. The position ensures adherence to performance requirements and City guidelines, and updates and creates new regulations, policies and guidelines to further groundwater management in Vancouver. This includes the development and implementation of a city-wide Groundwater Strategy.
The position reports to the Civil Engineer II (Senior Hydrogeologist), and works closely with City departments such as Planning, Development, Building and Licensing, Legal Services, Environmental Services, Sustainability, and external organizations such as the Vancouver Park Board, Metro Vancouver, and the Province of BC to effectively manage existing and emerging programs.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides research, policy analysis, writing, and stakeholder engagement support for the development and implementation of the city-wide Groundwater Strategy
• Reviews groundwater management plans and works closely with architects and external consultants to ensure adequacy to City policies and guidelines
• Prepares feasibility studies, cost benefit analyses and business cases for new initiatives
• Implements business processes across departments to support groundwater management policy
• Performs or arranges for business process analysis for various programs for continuous improvements and potential program changes
• Engages with external agencies, community groups, professional and trade associations or other potential partners in the development of new policies, programs and actions
• Reviews and initiates changes to by-laws (e.g., Sewer and Watercourse By-law, Zoning and Development By-law) for appropriate modifications/updates to support groundwater policy
• Keeps apprised of emerging best management practices pertaining to groundwater management
• Procures and manages consultancies, as required, to develop program options and implications
• Prepares reports and presentations for project partners, industry and outside agencies
• Tracks and monitors private side groundwater management systems
• Delivers presentations to senior management to seek support and guidance on cross departmental initiatives
• Prepares reports and presentation to Council, as required
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned