Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To lead, manage, and direct the activities of the Structural Section, including the management of financial and human resources; the management of the highway infrastructure of bridges and other structural assets; and the delivery of viable, safe and cost-effective structural engineering products for all types of transportation structures, including new, complex structures and the rehabilitation of existing structures. To provide structural engineering expertise and support in the resolution of complex engineering problems, contractual issues and legal proceedings. To participate in formulating policy, legislation, strategic plans and program direction to further government/ministry corporate strategies and goals.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Plans, manages and directs the activities of the section that provides structural engineering expertise in the management of highway structures, the delivery of the Structural Program and the provision of services as required within the delegated authority and approval mechanisms of the ministry.

2. Provides leadership and overall direction for the planning, review and delivery of design contracts, studies, investigations and pilot projects/trials of external innovative systems, new products, materials and methods for applicability to the ministry's construction or rehabilitation programs. Approves and affixes professional stamp on completed project documents where required identifies opportunities and leads negotiations for development of working relationships, innovative cost-sharing partnerships with other government agencies and the private sector in the delivery of structural projects. Participates in negotiations with internal and external agencies (e.g. , Coast Guard, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Transport Canada, Environment Canada, Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Labour, Railways, etc.) for the approvals of Structural projects.

3. As senior regional representative, and in conjunction with Head Office and internal/external agencies, participates in the development and/or revision of policies, standards, operating guidelines, specifications, tools and systems in the field of structural engineering as applicable to the ministry's present and future operational needs. Provides technical reviews and ensures consistency in policy application within the Region.

4. Scans for political, stakeholder, business issues/trends/activities that would impact on program delivery; and the latest developments/opportunities and innovations in structural engineering in other highway agencies (Canadian, American and International) to ensure that the program direction is in keeping with government mandate and strategic directions. Anticipates and manages concerns/issues that could potentially be raised by stakeholders and which could impact on ministry policy, and contributes to related corporate policy development.

5. Plans, directs and manages the financial and administrative activities of the section. Oversees and prioritizes the work performed by the section; prepares and implements the fiscal and performance budgets and the multi-year and annual work plans; monitors the approved section budget to ensure compliance with allocated expenditures and policy requirements; and financial and formal reporting such as planned vs. actual results.

6. Manages the human resource activities of the section by identifying the staffing needs and taking the appropriate measures to hire; chairing and/or participating on selection panels for the hiring of staff; distributing workload and assigning work priorities; completing performance evaluations and managing performance issues; identifying training deficiencies, preparing and implementing learning plans: approving merit increases; ensuring relevant health and safety provisions are in place for the provision of safe working conditions; managing employee attendance, illness and injury program and return to work initiatives; and addressing employee relation issues including dealing with grievances, and imposing discipline if required. Participates in planning generic training for the ministry's structural functions. Provides for the transfer of knowledge to both internal/external staff through the coordination, management and delivery of specialized training and/or training program.

7. Provides strategic advice to Senior Management on complex, technical or sensitive issues related to the field of structural engineering and how these issues interact with other related specialty fields. Provides expertise and advice in the resolution of complex problems, contractual issues, and support in litigation proceedings to ministry staff. Acts as the Regional structural expert and as the designated structural engineering lead in the Provincial Emergency Plan and in incidents of bridge accidents and failures. Provides expertise and advice to internal/external requestors on issues that have broad implications on the ministry and industry, taking into consideration stakeholder, economic and political impacts.

8. Participates in various activities such as strategic planning, including providing input into the development of provincial policies and legislation; review designs/staffing needs of organizational structure; and contingency planning in event of work disruption. Oversees or prepares, and approves the development and/or drafts of briefing materials (e.g., briefing notes, house notes, ministerial statements, responses for MPPs, presentations, correspondence, etc.) in support of the Director, Assistant Deputy Minister, Deputy and the Minister.

9. Participates in the setting of standards and policies for consultant selection and approval. Provides for the management and appraisal of consultant services for structural engineering. May chair or participate as member of consultant approval committees.

10. Develops partnerships and effective linkages to research institutions, stakeholders, industry groups, and associations in dealing with technically complex or politically sensitive issues that impact on the ministry's strategic direction and economic role. Leads and takes a proactive role on internal and external technical research, administrative and standard setting bodies (e.g. , Canadian Standards Association) including acting as Chair or participating on technical steering committees, and setting or participating in setting agenda! priorities. Co-ordinates support and resources from a variety of internal/external sources to expedite ministry/ industry partnering activities, including research.

Knowledge :

• Staffing and Licencing Requirements: Must be licensed by Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO).

• Requires knowledge of the theories, principles and practices of civil engineering with emphasis on bridge planning, design, rehabilitation, evaluation, construction and inspection and practical experience in the design, rehabilitation, construction, evaluation and inspection of complex structures. Requires knowledge of new developments in bridge design, rehabilitation, construction, evaluation and inspection and an understanding of related fields such as road design, hydrology, soils and foundations. Knowledge of economics in determining the cost effectiveness of alternative structural planning, design and maintenance proposals. Demonstrated familiarity with Ministry standards, specifications policies and practices, in particular the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code (CHBOC), Structure Rehabilitation Manual especially condition surveys, Structural Steel Coating Manual, Structural Manual, Structural Financial Analysis Manual, Ontario Structure Inspection Manual (OSIM) and Ontario Provincial Standards (OPS). Knowledge of computers, structural analysis and design systems and asset management systems in particular the bridge management system (BMS). Knowledge of legislation impacting structural projects such as the Navigable Waters Protection Act, the Bridge(s) Act, the Drainage Act, and the Railway(s) Act.

• Requires an understanding of ministry's mandates, strategic goals and plans, organization and operations and the ability to correlate technological and engineering insights with ministry objectives in order to set and manage the section's activities and identifying/ facilitating new and productive technology and engineering methods.

• Requires demonstrated managerial, administrative and budgetary skills to plan, direct and oversee the work/ activities of the section Requires knowledge of human resources principles and Collective Agreement provisions dealing with working conditions in order to deal appropriately with staff issues/concerns, including responding to grievances. Requires knowledge of budgetary and financial processes to prepare, implement fiscal and performance budgets, multi-year and annual work plans, and monitor/ report on budget allocations.

• Requires leadership skills to motivate and lead professional and technical staff in achievement of goals, priorities and business plans; to assign clear roles/responsibilities; to communicate issues/changes that affect them; and to manage human resources management processes (e.g., performance management cycle and learning plans).

• Requires planning, conceptual and organizational skills to develop and implement the overall direction and activities for the Section; to identify changing needs and priorities; to identify opportunities for new service delivery, research and innovation endeavors that are in keeping with government/ministry strategic direction. Analytical and problem solving skills are required to set overall direction for evaluations, inspections, load tests, studies, investigations, and pi lot projects of external innovative systems, new products, materials, and methods; to analyze current processes and identify opportunities for continuous improvement; identify complex and contentious operational/ research issues, determine cause and effect relationships and bring about resolution; and to deal effectively with complex technical issues/problems which may be politically sensitive and/or have a major impact on industry.

• Communication, interpersonal, consultative and negotiation skills are required to establish and maintain working relationships, and linkages with a range of audiences (e.g., senior management, colleagues, clients, head office, consultants, industry stakeholders, associations, academia, technical committees) in order to deal with sensitive or proprietary issues, to coordinate support and resources from a variety of sources to expedite ministry/ industry partnering and research activities, and to represent the ministry on internal and external technical, administrative and standard setting bodies. Networking skills among engineering professionals (academic, private sectors, other highway jurisdictions) and with peers are required to develop and maintain links with relevant Industry groups; to facilitate shared information/ resources; to participate on committees and learned societies; and to maintain awareness of new technologies and opportunities.

• Requires political acuity to recognize and understand the sensitivity of particular issues and their potential impact on the work of the Section.

• Work requires knowledge and application of computer software packages and corporate/technical databases (e.g. Workforce Information Network, Issues Management System, etc.) and Internet to prepare correspondence, memoranda and prepare reports/presentations.

Judgement :

Work is performed independently, under general direction from the Manager Engineering with functional guidance provided from the Bridge Office in the Highway Standards Branch, and within overall Ministry strategic directions, mandate and goals and policies and standards. Recommendations and decisions are accepted as valid and authoritative, and are reviewed mainly for conformance to government/ministry direction, ministry business plans and division/regional mandate and policies.

Judgement is exercised as follows:
• Reviews the practicality, economic and structural adequacy of alternative concepts in structural planning, design, construction and maintenance methods and hydrology designs, taking into account public and staff safety, for all transportation structures.
• Makes instantaneous decisions to establish methods for the maintenance and repair of transportation structures under emergency situations and hazardous conditions.
• Provides verbal or written expert opinions with respect to structure design, behaviour, safety or construction issues to requestors internal or external to the ministry; and in preparing or overseeing the preparation of material for senior management such as briefing notes, letters and communication plans. Position requires judgement to communicate ministry policies, technical information, and in dealing with industry stakeholders with respect to issues, which may be of a highly sensitive, political or proprietary in nature.
• Scans for political, stakeholder, business issues/trends/activities that would impact on program delivery; in contributing to related corporate policy development; in determining what novel processes, products, materials and systems are to be evaluated/tested/implemented due to their appropriateness and applicability to the ministry's operations/processes; in overseeing the transfer of knowledge/expertise to ministry staff/industry; and in providing advice to resolve complex problems, contractual issues and legal proceedings.
• In establishing the Section's program objectives, long range plans and priorities to achieve policies goals and objectives, directing and co-ordinating programs and providing expert advice to other offices on Structural matters
• In identifying and managing human resources, financial and other approaches (e.g., partnership activities) to deliver the services/objectives of the section; in dealing with sensitive issues such as Freedom of Information requests, Conflict of Interest questions, and engineering claims; and in dealing with staff issues and managing the workplace in accordance with negotiated working conditions reflected in the respective Collective Agreements.

Accountability - Programs :

Position is accountable for managing staff and delivering the work of the section responsible for providing of engineering services and technical expertise related to bridge design. Commitments are made in approving structural planning, design, construction, maintenance and hydrology design proposals, applying Professional Engineer's stamp to own work and work of subordinates, and in making authoritative technical recommendations. Position is accountable for the effective management of financial, human resources and procurement activities and for providing appropriate responses to issues management. Authoritative recommendations are made in establishing the budget, staff and resource requirements; in recommending proposed improvements and/or innovations for ministry use. Commitments are made in providing solutions to complex issues/problems, and in accepting service providers for the ministry's use and determining the suitability of the performance of service providers. Position is accountable for ensuring reviews conducted in the field comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and ministry policies/procedures.

Accountability – Personnel :

Position is responsible for managing a staff of professional and technical staff represented by various bargaining units.

Accountability - Finance and Materials :

Position estimates, prepares and implements fiscal and performance budgets, multi-year and annual work plans, capital and maintenance programs, annual technical training program funding needs, and monitors/reports on budget allocations. Position estimates consulting funding requirements. Position is responsible for managing the procurement, maintenance and repair of the Section's assets (e.g., vehicles, inspection equipment, etc.).

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

Ineffective planning, managerial and technical direction, errors in judgement or poor advice/opinions could result in the region's inability to deliver its program/objectives, projects, and tong term commitments; unsafe structures; substantial monetary losses due to unsatisfactory performance of, or excessive costs in maintaining structures; delays and claims by contractors inappropriate investments, and public embarrassment/criticism of the ministry.

Contact - Internal :

Regular contact with Managers/other Heads and senior staff for the purpose of discussing problems and issues of mutual interest or concern and providing engineering/technical expertise and contractual advice, and participating in the formulation of corporate policy, legislation and program direction. Contact with senior professionals from other ministries (e.g., Natural Resources, Environment, Labour, and Northern Development & Mines) for information sharing and/or discussing matters of mutual concern.

Contact - External :

As regional spokesperson in the field of structural engineering, requires frequent contacts with senior officials of various outside trade professional and industry organizations, consultants, contractors, manufacturers, suppliers and other government agencies (i.e. , Federal Departments/Agencies (such as the Coast Guard, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Transport Canada, Environment Canada), Railways, Public Utilities, Conservation Authorities, Municipalities) for the purpose of providing authoritative advice or information and/or discussing matters of mutual concern. Regular contact with peers in the speciality fields to discuss structural engineering issues and new developments, and negotiate/develop partnerships for delivery of projects. Contact with senior professionals from industry, other provincial and state governments, and other countries through participation on technical committees and associations. Occasional contact with the general public occurs for information on ministry program and to defend/clarify ministry position/policies.