Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide specialist engineering expertise and advice to support the development, review and revision of the Building Code Act, the Building Code and related regulations, standards and guidelines with a particular emphasis on provisions related to building mechanical systems, energy/water conservation. and sewage systems. To promote compliance and build capacity for the effective administration and enforcement of the Building Code by municipal regulatory officials. To provide engineering expertise and advice to the ministry, municipal enforcement officials and building sector associations on building code and standards. To support ministry statutory functions including maintaining/updating the Building Code examination questions data base, and providing specialist engineering expertise to support the Building Code Commission and Building Materials Evaluation Commission, and for the development of Minister's rulings.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1.Provides professional engineering technical support and advisory services to multiple internal and external clients (e.g. Building and Development Policy Unit of the Building and Development Branch, other branches/divisions/ministries, municipalities, municipal enforcement officials and building sector associations) with respect to building design, construction and maintenance, including the application of engineering principles and applicable codes and standards. Provide support and advisory services to address all building types with a particular emphasis on provisions related to building mechanical systems, energy/water conservation, and sewage systems.

2.Provides specialist engineering expertise and advice and input to support initiatives by the Building and Development Policy Unit of the Building and Development Branch for the development and review of potential legislative and regulatory amendments, and potential changes to the supplementary standards to the Building Code. Conducts research and analytical projects to identify and recommend potential Code amendments based on engineering principles, government strategic policy direction, expert knowledge of current and emerging building sector changes and technology, and input from building industry stakeholders.

3.Applies expert engineering knowledge and judgement in composing technical regulatory changes that synthesis the proposed and existing requirements of the Building Code in order to ensure that any new changes fits within the existing structure and intent of the Building Code. Works closely with the Ministry counsel in the preparation of the regulatory draft and responds to questions from the legislative counsel.

4.Provides specialist engineering expertise and advisory services to support Building and Development Policy Unit of the Building and Development Branch in the development of presentations, guidelines, user guides, broadcast e-mails and communications materials related to Code amendments and government initiatives to inform municipalities and industry stakeholders on building safety and to promote compliance with the Building Code Act and the Building Code. Develops and issues Building Code bulletins on technical matters.

5.Consults with the building industry across Ontario to convey critical information on government legislation, regulations and policies and receive input on potential revisions to the Building Code and Supplementary Standards. Participates in intra and inter-ministerial meetings and tasks groups on engineering initiatives to support legislative/regulatory development. Meets with stakeholders, and participates in the provision of advisory technical support to expert panels established by government.

6.Engages with municipal building department and municipal enforcement officials to build municipal capacity and ensure key technical skills and competency to efficiently and effectively administer and enforce the Building Code, and to identify issues pertaining to the Building Code. Attends and/or contributes to meetings of the Ontario Building Officials (OBOA) Chapter and technical committee of the Large Municipalities Chief Building Officials Group (LMCBO) to convey critical information on government legislation, regulations and policies; receive input on potential revisions to the Building Code and Supplementary Standards; and provide specialist engineering expertise and advice to support OBOA and LMCBO in developing technical interpretations to promote consistent application of the Building Code across Ontario municipalities.

7.Reviews and monitors the technical content and reference to Building Code requirements in training programs delivered by a third party college institution including the audit of classroom and on-line course delivery to ensure accuracy and currency of Building Code course materials. Reviews, develops, updates and maintains a centralized data base of examination questions mandated by the Building Code to incorporate Building Code amendments and to modify/delete/replace questions when issues of clarity or accuracy are identified.

8.Provides expert technical engineering information services and responds to inquiries on Building Code technical issues from other units in the Building and Development Branch, the Deputy Minister's and Minister's offices, other parts of the ministry (including Municipal Service Offices), other ministries, municipalities, municipal enforcement officials, other jurisdictions and building sector stakeholders (e.g. designers, builders, manufacturers).

9.Carries out duties aligned with statutory responsibilities including the provision of technical engineering expertise and advice on complex building designs, materials and systems to the Building Code Commission (BCC) and Building Materials Evaluation Commission (BMEC) involving the preparation of Technical Background Information (TBI) memoranda and attendance at hearings and other meeting as requested. Provides technical advice to the Building and Development Policy Unit of the Building and Development Branch for the preparation of Minister's Rulings authorized by the Building Code Act. Provides technical support to the Building Code Conservation Advisory Council. Prepares responses to Coroner's reports which
involve the Building Code.

10.Provides information, expertise and advice to the Manager/Director on technical and Building Code policy and program issues and solutions and contributes to responses to questions from Minister's office and Cabinet office to support a coordinated and timely strategic positioning and response to contentious Building Code issues. Develops and/or participates in the development of Minister's/Deputy Minister's briefing notes, issues notes, communications plans, letters and executive correspondence on Building Code issues.

11.Provides engineering expertise to the review and recommendation of branch policies and procedures.

12.Participates on inter-jurisdictional standing committees, working groups and national code development project teams, and provides engineering expertise and advice to national standards setting bodies and industry stakeholders. Assumes leadership positions in such bodies as directed.

13.Collaborates with other Branch technical staff in addressing issues and addressing complex issues. Reports to the manager and other Branch staff on issues identified developments and initiatives discussed in conversations and meetings.

14.Conducts special engineering assignments or project initiatives as assigned by the Manager.

Staffing and Licensing :

Licenced by PEO to practice professional engineering in Ontario.

Knowledge :

The position requires comprehensive technical expertise and knowledge of the theory, principles and practices of engineering in a broad range of new and emerging technologies, methods and systems for building design, construction and maintenance, in order to provide engineering expertise and advice to government, municipal and building sector clients to support the development, review and updating of the Building Code Act and the Building Code.

Comprehensive knowledge and in-depth experience in building services system design (e.g., heating, ventilation, air conditioning, smoke control, plumbing, electrical wiring, fire alarms, sprinklers, standpipes and hoses, and pools and spas) as well as on-site sewage system design and maintenance.

Expert knowledge of energy/water conservation (including climate change science, emissions, new technologies and the design of building elements, including mechanical systems and environmental separations) as well as soil science, wastewater treatment and soil treatment mechanisms, and construction methods.

Knowledge of legislation/policy development/analysis principles, methods, tools and strategies to provide engineering technical advice, consultation and input to the Building and Development Policy Unit to support legislation, regulations and policy.

Knowledge of government/ministry corporate policy direction, the Building Code Act, the Building Code and related building legislation/codes/regulations to conduct consultations with key internal/external stakeholders and other jurisdictions, to provide specialist engineering advice to municipalities to support effective administration and enforcement of the Building Code Act and the Building Code, and to provide engineering advice/support for the development, review and amendment of legislation, operational/technical policies, guidelines and standards.

Knowledge of building legislation, regulations, policies and regulatory programs in other national and international jurisdictions to contribute to program/policy alignment.

Knowledge of building sector stakeholders (e.g., municipalities, and organizations representing enforcement officials builders, designers and product manufacturers) in Ontario and related building technology issues that impact government Building Code policy to research and analyse policy impacts, risks and opportunities, and to prepare/recommend government related issues management options and recommendations.

Project management skills to plan and conduct assigned projects for the development of building code technical supports and legislation/program/policy recommendations.

Research and analytical skills to conduct technical engineering research to support ministry Building Code operational and technical policy review, development, and issues management.

Political acuity and consultation skills to conduct/participate in engagement processes related to Building Code technical support and policy development across the ministry/government and with external stakeholders and other jurisdictions. Verbal/written communication and presentation skills to provide engineering expertise and advice, prepare engineering reports, and contribute to policy/strategy recommendations.

Judgement :

Position works under the general direction of the Manager, Code Operations & Technical Support and within ministry/division/branch mandate, objectives and relevant policies and guidelines related to the Building Code Act and the Building Code.

The position exercises independence and judgment in providing engineering expertise, advice and technical support for the development, review and revisions to the Building Code Act, the Building Code, and related building legislation, regulations and operational/technical policies, methodologies, processes, standards and tools.

The position exercises judgement by conducting consultation processes with branch/division/ministry management/staff, other ministries and external stakeholders including other jurisdictions to contribute to working partnerships/relationships on Building Code technical issues/trends, to provide technical engineering advice/expertise to support policy development/review by the branch and to support capacity for effective Building Code administration and enforcement by municipalities across Ontario.

Judgment is exercised in reviewing and recommending new/amended/deleted sections of the Building Code and related regulations to meet current and emerging engineering standards and technology in building design, materials, construction methods and safety measures.

Judgment is exercised in providing technical engineering advice/expertise to commissions and inter jurisdictional and national building code development initiatives; and responding to technical inquiries and contentious issues from the offices of the Deputy Minister, Minister and Cabinet, and providing expert input to the development of Minister's Rulings related to the Building Code.

Judgment is exercised in monitoring and supporting the delivery of Building Code training programs by a third party college and by developing/updating the data base of technical examination questions mandated by the building Code.

Judgment is exercised by handling confidential information and personal information from persons who make inquiries in compliance with OPS legislation/policies.

Accountability - Programs :

The position is accountable to provide specialist engineering advice, expertise and support for the development/review/revision of the Building Code Act and the Building Code and related regulations and standards, and to enable the building of capacity for effective Building Code administration and enforcement by municipalities. The position is accountable to participate as a technical expert on ministry, provincial and national technical advisory committees, commissions and associations. The position is accountable to provide sound technical expertise related to new engineering technologies, and methods for building design, construction and safety. The position is accountable for conducting and/or participating in consultation/engagement processes with internal/external stakeholders and other jurisdictions. The position is accountable to provide specialist engineering expertise and advice to the Coordinator, Code Advisory Services and the Manager to support briefings and recommendations to ministry officials and/or responses to technical inquiries from the offices of the Deputy Minister, Minister and Cabinet related to the Building Code. The position contributes to the provision of advice and recommendations for the preparation of Minister's Rulings authorized by the Building Code.

Accountability – Personnel :

n/a

Accountability - Finance and Materials :

n/a

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

Errors in judgement related to the provision of specialist technical engineering research, advisory and support services could result in inferior government building legislation/regulations and inadequate capacity by municipalities for the administration and enforcement of the Building Code Act and the Building Code, and add risk of poor decisions by the BCC and BMEC. Decisions, advice and conduct by the incumbent could have a negative impact on support for government priorities, and on ensuring that legislation, regulations and policies reflect effective and current engineering technology and building sector capacity. Decisions, advice and conduct by the incumbent could diminish the ability of individuals to pass Building Code examinations, which could affect their ability to practice. Poor judgement in providing engineering advice and expertise could endanger worker and public health and safety and result in economic and environmental impact, negative media publicity, damaged stakeholder relationships, loss of ministry credibility, and public criticism.

Contact - Internal :

The position has frequent contact with ministry/division/branch management/staff (e.g. Building Code Policy Development Unit, Legal Services Branch, Municipal Services Offices) to provide specialist engineering advisory services to support the development, review and revision of the Building Code Act, the Building Code and related ministry regulations and standards. Regular contact with staff in other ministries/agencies to exchange technical information on code content, provide advice and interpretation of building regulations within area of engineering specialty, and participate on partnership joint working groups. Regular contact with government/ministry Building Code Commission and the Building Material Evaluation Commission to contribute technical expertise and advice as required.

Contact - External :

The position has frequent contact with municipalities, municipal enforcement officials, provincial and federal jurisdictions, building sector stakeholders, and standards setting bodies to provide specialist engineering expertise and advice to support legislation, code and regulations development, revisions and issues management.