Project Engineer/Geoscientist (Environmental & Planning)

at  Region of Waterloo

Project Engineer/Geoscientist (Environmental & Planning)
Job Number: 1431
Job Type: Full-Time
Location: 150 Frederick St - Regional Admin Headquarters
Number of Positions: 1
Department: Project Property Planning
Division: Engineering and Environmental Services

Hours of Work: 35 per week. Monday - Friday

• Hybrid: 2 days in office per week

Union: Management/Management Support
Grade: Management/Management Support Grade 06
Salary Range: $89,289.20 - $111,602.40

OUR STORY:

Committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations, the Region of Waterloo is an inclusive, thriving and sustainable region of connected rural and urban communities with global reach. Our mission is to serve, engage and inspire, by delivering quality services to a diverse population of 630,000+, while creating a healthy, collaborative environment of learning, respect and innovation.
This is a place where employees are valued and recognized for their talents and contributions to our success. Our employees take pride in making a difference in people’s lives through the work that we do. We are looking for people like you to help make it happen.
The Role
Leads initiatives on matters relating to land contamination. Advises staff on interpretation of environmental regulations and policy related to contamination of Region-owned lands. Conducts environmental due diligence for property acquisition/divestment. Coordinates the development of preliminary facility plans. Project manages capital and environmental projects. Participates in the development and maintenance of a corporate master accommodation plan.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Provides direction/assigns work to Project Coordinators (Construction), administrative staff, and students on in-house design projects and in preparing final contract drawings.
• Provides professional engineering assistance to client departments related to contaminated land management.
• Reviews, interprets, and analyzes technical reports to determine the extent and source of contamination on/adjacent to regional properties. Assesses contamination discovered by the Region and (in conjunction with Legal Services) determines when the Region should seek reimbursement from responsible persons.
• Plans, implements, and coordinates environmental investigations, testing programs, and studies associated with planning and environmental projects. Reviews, interprets, and analyzes technical reports and makes recommendations to staff.
• Participates in the development, review, and maintenance of a comprehensive corporate master accommodation plan and client master plans.
• Coordinates the development of preliminary project reports, including scope of work, schedule and cost estimates for new facility construction/renovations to current properties. Develops feasibility studies, conceptual designs, and options analysis with consultants and clients.
• Develops contamination management programs, investigation, and remediation alternatives; assesses and determines implementation and construction methods/technologies, materials, and equipment; develops and meets design schedules; prepares/reviews project designs.
• Interprets relevant provisions of the Environmental Protection Act, TSSA codes, and other legislation, regulations, and Provincial policies to determine the Region’s rights and obligations, and to identify and recommend action.
• Assists Community Planning with the implementation and review of the Brownfield Financial Incentive Program, including review of technical submissions, eligibility, evaluation of cost estimates for remediation, administering and reviewing remediation payments, and identifying and addressing errors and inconsistencies. Reviews development applications and advises Community Planning on record of site condition requirements.
• Liaises with Ministries and agencies to negotiate, discuss, and develop options and solutions for land contamination management and development programs. Represents the Region as a technical expert in meetings with polluters, their consultants, other responsible parties, and agencies.
• Advises when environmental due diligence is required per corporate policies. Plans and implements or provides environmental engineering expertise to other Divisions regarding environmental due diligence for acquisition of property, road allowance dedications, divestment of surplus lands, and asbestos management.
• Develops, implements, and coordinates with other staff on protocols for investigation, remediation, and data management of possible or known contamination on/adjacent to regional lands. Develops, implements, and assists in the maintenance of a data management system for contaminated regional lands, including links to other threat inventory databases.
• Determines and obtains approvals for construction from utility companies, developers, area municipalities, Ministries, and agencies.
• Oversees phases of demolition, construction, and remediation projects. Monitors work and oversees monitoring of same by consultants. Administers contracts with consultants and contractors. Arranges for material/equipment testing inspections. Establishes deficiency lists, conducts final inspections, and issues completion certificates.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Plans and implements strategy to identify regulatory environmental compliance requirements for regional facilities. Coordinates with other facilities management staff to develop a compliance requirement database and verify compliance/non-compliance. Coordinates or assists in resolving non-compliance issues.
• Participates in project, divisional, and departmental team meetings and regional committees to represent the Division’s interests.
• Prepares project budget estimates and establishes budget requirements for environmental and capital projects. Negotiates consulting agreements and manages construction contract budgets. Arranges purchase orders. Negotiates and authorizes extra work, claims, and disputes with consultants and contractors. Identifies opportunities and assists Legal with negotiations with local municipalities, private owners, and other parties to recover costs.
• Has regular contact with Federal and Provincial governments, and area municipalities to provide engineering and geoscientific services and information. Represents the Region as a technical expert in land contamination management issues and during public consultations. Acts as an expert witness at hearings, as required.
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of environmental and municipal engineering, construction, geology, geophysics, geochemistry, hydrogeology, transport of groundwater contaminants, and mathematical modelling, normally acquired through a university degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering or Geoscience, plus progressively responsible experience in geoscientific or engineering design, project management, and contaminated land management.
• Registration or eligibility for membership as a Professional Engineer with the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO) or as a Professional Geoscientist with the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario (APGO).
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, collective agreements, legislation (e.g., environmental, water resources, construction, health and safety, TSSA codes, asbestos and designated substances regulation), and contract law. Ability to keep knowledge current.
• Negotiation, analytical, problem solving, and continuous improvement skills to propose objectives and goals; investigate/evaluate land and groundwater contamination issues, and plan and implement solutions; manage projects simultaneously; identify potential difficulties and their causes and generate workable solutions using professional expertise; and research and prepare technical reports and project specifications.
• Leadership, human relations, and communication skills to provide direction, guidance, and assistance to staff, consultants, and contractors; develop and maintain working relationships with government agencies, developers, private and public sector companies, and the public; communicate technical issues to staff and the public; negotiate contracts and project requirements; represent the Department and Region’s interests; prepare and conduct presentations to the public, media, politicians, and senior staff; present technical reports and recommendations to Council and Committees; and participate as an effective team member.
• Ability to read and interpret technical reports, correspondence, manuals, journals, design specifications, contracts, and legal documents. Ability to write technical reports to Committees and Council; contracts; and correspondence.
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office, GIS, relational databases, and groundwater modelling software.
• Ability to participate in an official standby/on-call rotation to respond to legislated or time sensitive demands beyond regularly scheduled work hours.
• Ability to alter hours to conduct inspections and public information sessions/meetings outside standard work hours (occasionally).
• Ability to travel within and outside Waterloo Region.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
The Region of Waterloo is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection process. At the Region, we respect, encourage and celebrate our diversity. The Region of Waterloo is committed to providing accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require an accommodation, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs.
Alternate formats of this document are available upon request. Please contact the Service First Contact Centre at phone number (519) 575-4400, TTY number (519-575-4608) to request an alternate format.
Please note: Due to the high volume of applications we receive, only those candidates selected for an interview with be contacted through email. Please check your spam or junk folder occasionally as some candidates have noticed our emails in those folders (Gmail and Hotmail in particular).

Duties/Responsibilities

• Provides direction/assigns work to Project Coordinators (Construction), administrative staff, and students on in-house design projects and in preparing final contract drawings.
• Provides professional engineering assistance to client departments related to contaminated land management.
• Reviews, interprets, and analyzes technical reports to determine the extent and source of contamination on/adjacent to regional properties. Assesses contamination discovered by the Region and (in conjunction with Legal Services) determines when the Region should seek reimbursement from responsible persons.
• Plans, implements, and coordinates environmental investigations, testing programs, and studies associated with planning and environmental projects. Reviews, interprets, and analyzes technical reports and makes recommendations to staff.
• Participates in the development, review, and maintenance of a comprehensive corporate master accommodation plan and client master plans.
• Coordinates the development of preliminary project reports, including scope of work, schedule and cost estimates for new facility construction/renovations to current properties. Develops feasibility studies, conceptual designs, and options analysis with consultants and clients.
• Develops contamination management programs, investigation, and remediation alternatives; assesses and determines implementation and construction methods/technologies, materials, and equipment; develops and meets design schedules; prepares/reviews project designs.
• Interprets relevant provisions of the Environmental Protection Act, TSSA codes, and other legislation, regulations, and Provincial policies to determine the Region’s rights and obligations, and to identify and recommend action.
• Assists Community Planning with the implementation and review of the Brownfield Financial Incentive Program, including review of technical submissions, eligibility, evaluation of cost estimates for remediation, administering and reviewing remediation payments, and identifying and addressing errors and inconsistencies. Reviews development applications and advises Community Planning on record of site condition requirements.
• Liaises with Ministries and agencies to negotiate, discuss, and develop options and solutions for land contamination management and development programs. Represents the Region as a technical expert in meetings with polluters, their consultants, other responsible parties, and agencies.
• Advises when environmental due diligence is required per corporate policies. Plans and implements or provides environmental engineering expertise to other Divisions regarding environmental due diligence for acquisition of property, road allowance dedications, divestment of surplus lands, and asbestos management.
• Develops, implements, and coordinates with other staff on protocols for investigation, remediation, and data management of possible or known contamination on/adjacent to regional lands. Develops, implements, and assists in the maintenance of a data management system for contaminated regional lands, including links to other threat inventory databases.
• Determines and obtains approvals for construction from utility companies, developers, area municipalities, Ministries, and agencies.
• Oversees phases of demolition, construction, and remediation projects. Monitors work and oversees monitoring of same by consultants. Administers contracts with consultants and contractors. Arranges for material/equipment testing inspections. Establishes deficiency lists, conducts final inspections, and issues completion certificates

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Plans and implements strategy to identify regulatory environmental compliance requirements for regional facilities. Coordinates with other facilities management staff to develop a compliance requirement database and verify compliance/non-compliance. Coordinates or assists in resolving non-compliance issues.
• Participates in project, divisional, and departmental team meetings and regional committees to represent the Division’s interests.
• Prepares project budget estimates and establishes budget requirements for environmental and capital projects. Negotiates consulting agreements and manages construction contract budgets. Arranges purchase orders. Negotiates and authorizes extra work, claims, and disputes with consultants and contractors. Identifies opportunities and assists Legal with negotiations with local municipalities, private owners, and other parties to recover costs.
• Has regular contact with Federal and Provincial governments, and area municipalities to provide engineering and geoscientific services and information. Represents the Region as a technical expert in land contamination management issues and during public consultations. Acts as an expert witness at hearings, as required.
• Performs related duties as required