Senior Environmental Officer (Water Services)

at  Region of Waterloo

Senior Environmental Officer (Water Services)
Job Number: 1827
Job Type: Full-Time
Location: 100 Maple Grove Rd - Laboratory
Number of Positions: 1
Department: Environmental Field Services
Division: Engineering and Environmental Services
Hours of Work: 35
Union: CUPE 1883
Grade: CUPE 1883 Grade 014
Salary Range: $43.61 - $49.41 per hour

ABOUT US!

The Region of Waterloo is a thriving, diverse community committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations. Home to over 674,000 residents and expected to grow to nearly one million by 2051. Guided by our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, “Growing with Care,” we focus on equity, inclusion, and sustainability. Our mission is to provide essential services that enhance the quality of life for all residents, while our core values emphasize caring for people and the land we share. Join us and be part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in our community.
Dish with One Spoon Wampum:

Waterloo Region is part of the Dish with One Spoon wampum, a treaty guiding our commitment to:

• Recognizing our shared humanity and land
• Taking only what we need
• Leaving some for others
• Keeping the dish clean

This agreement underpins our vision, mission, and core values, and reinforces our dedication to meaningful reconciliation and equity.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge and skills are acquired through a 3-year degree/diploma in Chemistry or related environmental science field, plus 2 years of related practical experience, or an equivalent combination of higher education and less experience.
• Knowledge and skill in water chemistry, sample collection and preservation methods, water and wastewater treatment, environmental legislation, monitoring equipment, industrial/manufacturing processes, data analysis, technical writing, environmental spills investigation, enforcement investigations and compliance related matters.
• Must be certified (or be eligible for certification) as a Water Quality Analyst or licensed as a Water Treatment Operator or Water Distribution Operator, per regulation.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with legislation, policies, procedures, by-laws, health and safety protocols, and rules of evidence and court procedures.
• Skill using, maintaining, troubleshooting, calibrating, and performing minor technical servicing of field equipment (e.g., pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, turbidity meter).
• Knowledge of quality control procedures associated with sampling, analytical parameter measurements, and field equipment operation; quality system audits; Standard Council of Canada; and ISO 17025.
• Knowledge of contaminated site assessment and remediation practices, spills assessments, and clean up.
• Organization, problem solving, and time management skills to work independently, meet deadlines and program requirements, resolve problems/coordinate own activities in the field, and adapt to changes.

Communication and human relations skills to:

• facilitate discussions and resolve conflict between stakeholders
• exchange technical information
• respond to public inquiries and complaints regarding water quality and environmental spills
• notify and update stakeholders regarding environmental spills
• provide detailed explanations and advice regarding sampling and field analysis techniques
• conduct meetings
• gather information and evidence to be able to testify in court
• and participate as an effective team member.
• Ability to use specialized technical terminology to create and maintain written and computerized records, detailed correspondence, industrial inspection and investigation documentation, environmental incident reports, field notes, information summaries, and procedures.
• Computer skills with ability to use program databases, Microsoft Office and Access, GIS, and a laboratory information management system.
• Must have a valid G driver’s licence (or G2 and 3 years of driving experience) and acceptable driving record to operate corporate vehicles.
• Ability to participate in a stand-by rotation for weekend and after-hours work for spills response and emergency water sampling requests.

• Ability to adjust schedule to work evening hours to support program activities. May be requested to work weekend hours for same.Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.

• The Region of Waterloo is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection process. The Region of Waterloo invites applications from all qualified individuals. We are strongly committed to employment equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace and encourage applications from Black, racialized/visible minorities, Indigenous/Aboriginal people, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons.
  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: candidates will be provided an update on their application Please check your spam or junk folder occasionally as some candidates have noticed our emails in those folders (Gmail and Hotmail in particular).

THE ROLE

Performs sampling for the Region’s regulated drinking water monitoring program in accordance with provincial drinking water legislation, the laboratory testing license, and the quality management system. Performs wastewater sampling at industrial, commercial, and institutional facilities to assess compliance with the Region’s sewer use by-law. Conducts field investigations and oversees compliance-based enforcement activities.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Samples regional water supply and distribution sites per strict legislative requirements. Collects operational and compliance water samples for bacteriological, inorganic, and organic parameters, per sampling protocols at private and public premises (e.g., regional well supply sites, businesses, public facilities, private homes, active construction sites during new/temporary water main commissioning).
• Uses instruments and chemical test kits for on-site analyses and documents results (e.g., pH, dissolved oxygen, chlorine residuals, turbidity, hardness, temperature, gas testing). Follows sample collection, handling, documentation, and submission requirements.
• Immediately reports adverse and abnormal drinking water results (e.g. chlorine residuals) per strict protocol, and legislative requirements. Resamples locations where adverse results are detected.
• Maintains detailed field notes (e.g., conditions, circumstances). Enters analytical and field data to the laboratory information management system.
• Schedules and inspects industrial, commercial, and institutional facilities in relation to wastewater discharge into sanitary and storm sewer systems to assess sewer use by-law compliance. Determines sampling locations, schedules, and analysis. Maintains related records.
• Sends notices of non-compliance to businesses and follows up on corrective actions.
• Assesses, creates, and issues compliance permits to businesses exceeding by-law limits. Provides recommendations to management if violations are not resolved. Calculates quarterly surcharge invoices and assists Finance to track down overdue payments.
• Assesses, creates, and issues general permits and temporary discharge permits to businesses to discharge to the sanitary sewer.
• Coordinates/obtains samples as evidence for legal action against companies contravening the sewer use by-law. Issues Part I and Part III offences and provides court testimony, when required.
• Investigates abnormal influent that is adversely impacting regional wastewater treatment plants.
• Responds to, investigates, and follows up on environmental spills. Responds to odour complaints, and incidents related to abnormal influent to wastewater treatment plants as required. Notifies stakeholders (e.g., other staff and management, Ministries, local municipalities, industry representatives, emergency services, the public, private service providers).
• Exchanges technical information with other divisional staff/management. Has contact with water and wastewater operations staff to discuss sampling sites, program requirements, and exchange information related to treatment plant problems, and special investigations.
• Has contact with the public when entering private and public premises for sampling. Responds to general inquiries or forwards for response.
• Operates and maintains corporate vehicles and sampling/monitoring equipment used for own work.
• Acts as a backup and carries out the duties of the Drinking Water Compliance Officer, as required.
• Performs related duties as assigned.