Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide professional engineering expertise to Region, District and/or Area Office on technically complex projects. To carry out engineering assessments, provide recommendations and participate in developing abatement programs by applying engineering knowledge of waste management, industrial/municipal waste disposal design and operations, industrial pollution control, industrial/municipal water and wastewater operations. To organize and implement specific abatement programs. To coordinate specific inspection activities and provide technical advice to staff in the field.

Duties / Responsibilities :

In a District with an Area Office, the major responsibilities as assigned by the District Manager are:

1. As district engineer, be responsible for managing projects, such as Security Account/Environmental Clean-up Fund projects, decommissioning, and site rededication by: assembling terms of reference for engineering consultant studies. Preparing specifications or conditions of contracts. Planning, organizing, and managing the tendering process and recommending final acceptance. Reviewing, evaluating, advising, commenting on and essentially approving documents produced by professional engineers or related to professional engineering.

2. Designing, conducting and/or coordinating surveys and engineering/technical investigations as well as expediting abatement actions for sensitive and complex environmental problems such as buried waste, leachate run-off or large scale/complex surface or groundwater contamination related to ongoing or former industrial operations. Analysing and resolving pollution incidents that require application of engineering knowledge (e.g. review of air pollution control equipment design to determine adequacy of performance, review of design criteria for sewage and water facilities to isolate causes for non-compliance) at industrial facilities and at water and wastewater treatment facilities.

3. Representing the Ministry as a professional engineer where engineering decisions are being presented, evaluated and/or determined and provides technical expertise and professional opinions at public meetings, hearings, court cases external committees, internal working groups and meetings with elected and company officials, the public, and consultants. Provide sound technical expertise, advice and interpretation of Ministry policies, guidelines, regulations and procedures. Organizes, attends and makes presentations and/or defends the Ministry position at public meetings, hearings and judicial boards

4. Preparing Provincial Officer reports, orders, recommending prosecution actions, and testifying before courts or judicial boards.

5. Providing professional/technical advice to staff and assisting in staff training.

6. Keeping abreast of new engineering and management techniques and systems by attending conferences, courses, seminars, etc.

7. Upon request, they will act for the Supervisor or District Manager in their absence.

8. Reviewing and commenting on the engineering implications of proposals that could adversely affect the environment and impact on existing approved processes.

9. Complying with the OH&SA requirements, reporting all unsafe equipment and conditions to the Manager.

Knowledge :

Full membership with the Professional Engineers of Ontario. Position requires a thorough knowledge of the theories, principles and practices of civil, chemical, or environmental engineering and related fields and a thorough knowledge of environmental legislation, regulations, policies, procedures guidelines is required. Substantial related experience in water supply, pollution control, solid and liquid waste management. Initiative and ability to deal with the public. Technical expertise is required to identify sources/types of water, air and solid pollutants from complex sources, review engineering specifications and designs, analyse technical aspects of complex industrial processes and to recommend and implement effective abatement programs based on sound engineering principles. Knowledge of the rules of evidence. Excellent organizational, written and oral skills to represent the Ministry effectively in court, judicial boards, elected and company officials and with the general public and media. This position requires communication, negotiation and interpersonal and analytical skills to effectively manage assigned projects/issues and deliver ministry compliance program requirements. Knowledge and understanding of all Occupational Health and Safety legislation, policies and procedures.

Judgement :

Under the supervision of the District Manager:

Judgement is used by independently analysing issues, investigating causes of pollution, and devising and recommending appropriate engineering technical solutions to comply with environmental legislation, policies, guidelines, objectives, procedures and accepted engineering practices. Judgement is exercised in answering inquiries from elected and company officials, consultants, the media and the public relating to Ministry policies and complex problems. Judgement is also exercised in assessing and evaluating engineering reports and when making recommendations.

Completed work is normally accepted as technically accurate and reviewed for achievement of objectives and adherence to policy & procedures.

Accountability - Programs :

This position is accountable for the professional and technical quality of analysis, investigations, recommendations, correspondence and reports. The incumbent is responsible for making commitments and allocating own time and resources to achieve objectives as assigned by the District Manager. The incumbent is an official representative of the Ministry in all dealings with individuals and agencies. This position is accountable for the technical leadership on engineering matters in the District or Region.

Accountability – Personnel :

The incumbent is an official representative of the Ministry in all dealings with individuals and agencies. This position provides technical leadership on engineering matters in the Region.

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

Errors in judgement could result in damage to the Ministry's credibility, misdirection or expenditures by industries and/or municipalities and harmful effects to the environment or public health.

Contact - Internal :

Work requires regular contact with other Ministry staff, including head office specialists such as solicitors, engineers, scientists, etc., and other government officials to exchange information and discuss technical problems and solutions.

Contact - External :

Work requires regular contact with elected and company officials, municipal officials, other governments/agency officials consulting engineers, non-governmental organizations, lawyers, the media, the general public, to exchange information and resolve mutual problems.