Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To coordinate and ensure that the environmental component of transportation planning, design, construction and maintenance projects conform with the Environmental Assessment (EA) Act, other environmental legislation and ministry internal environmental policies, procedures, legislation and regulations. To coordinate/assist in the project management of environmental consultants and provide policy and technical advice to project planning staff/managers on the environmental assessment process and related issues. For assigned environmental programmes such as: waste, fisheries and wetlands, wildlife, acoustics and heritage, function as Environmental Section specialist.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Duties/Responsibilities

1) Conducts/coordinates the environmental component of transportation planning, engineering, construction and maintenance projects by: assessing and determining project scope and detailed requirements; recommending the appropriate environmental assessment classification; for in house projects, compiling environmental information through internal and external contact, field investigations, literature research and analysis of maps and aerial photographs; compiling and evaluating all environmental data in relation to planning and design alternatives and assisting in the selection of alternative schemes; and determining potential environmental impacts of projects and recommending appropriate mitigating measures, preparation of environmental documentation as required by statute and government policy. For TPM projects, ensures the consultant environmental assessment deliverables are adequate and appropriate.

2) For in house projects, rrecommends/assists in developing appropriate public participation/ consultation programme, prepares appropriate newspaper ads and ensures public meeting arrangements at various project stages. For TPM projects, ensures the consultant public consultation deliverables are adequate and appropriate. Serves as the ministry representative at internal/external meetings, public information centres and other information dissemination functions and provides advanced technical advice to regional staff on the environmental assessment process and a wide range of federal and provincial environmental legislation, policy and approvals.

3) Ensures that all “proponent” environmental assessment responsibilities and processes are met, including ensuring all technical aspects are performed (e.g. existing conditions, route selection/options, facility design, pre-construction field work/reports, quality control, post-construction field reports) and all environmental processes are followed (e.g. federal, provincial and ministry EA processes, public consultation, permits). Documents and signs, as required, environmental investigations, internal documents, public statements and Environmental Reports as required under the EA Act.

4) Maintains close liaison with Project Managers/Senior Project Managers to ensure engineering proposals properly consider environmental features. Prepares positions and appropriate environmental evidence to substantiate ministry projects at formal hearings, court and other legal proceedings and participates in developing the overall ministry position.

5) Provides project management for environmental consultant assignments (financial and administrative accountability) or as part of a multi disciplinary project team, manages the environmental assessment component by: providing input to the preparation of terms of reference and legal agreements; monitoring progress; providing environmental advice and guidance; audits deliverables by reviewing output for correctness and adherence to policies, processes and legislation; and preparing / providing recommendations for the consultant appraisal report. Undertakes environmental assessment compliance audits of completed projects by document reviews or field verification.

6) Provides training, advice, direction and interpretation on requirements of environmental statutes and policies to ministry managers, staff, consultants and contractors to ensure an understanding of and compliance with environmental statutes and policies.

7) Participates in the development of new/modified environmental guidelines, policies and procedures by: acting as a regional environmental representative on task forces and committees; reviewing and commenting on proposed policies and guidelines and; providing input to/drafts policy reports and recommendations.

8) For assigned environmental programmes such as: waste, fisheries and wetlands, wildlife, acoustics and heritage, function as Environmental Section specialist, provide technical advice, interpretations and guidance to section staff, ministry clients and consultants, undertake research / develop / deliver training services to section clients and provide assistance in the development of ministry policy.

9) Maintains liaison and consultation (e.g. in writing, at public meetings/forums) with external agencies and groups on a range of environmental matters and issues, prepares Ministerial correspondence and provides advice and assistance in response to information requests from other regional offices. Maintains environmental knowledge and expertise by conducting literature research and attending internal and external courses, seminars and conferences.

Knowledge :

Job requires knowledge of current principles and practices for environmental assessment and protection in Ontario and ministry organization, policies, procedures and standards to effectively scope and provide environmental training and advice for regional highway planning, design, construction and maintenance projects to regional staff/ management. Job requires knowledge of the application of a wide range of environmental factors and disciplines associated with transportation, planning, design, construction and maintenance undertakings and federal and provincial environmental and transportation legislation, policy, procedures, manuals and directives to ensure that transportation projects are in compliance, through input to and auditing of project planning, design and construction as well as facility operation and maintenance. Job requires knowledge of the principles and practices of environmental assessment, a wide spectrum of environmental disciplines and current issues/data and data analysis and evaluation techniques to interpret the significance of compiled information, assess impacts, recommend design and mitigating measures and ensure compliance for planning and design studies, construction projects, facility operation and maintenance activities. Job requires knowledge of the principles and practices of transportation planning, design, construction, maintenance and the interaction between environmental and transportation disciplines to compile and evaluate all environmental data in relation to planning and design alternatives, identify environmental constraints and impacts to design and construction, develop/assess environmental design elements and mitigating factors and obtain formal environmental approvals and permits. Job requires knowledge of project management techniques to conduct/oversee/participate in transportation projects and manage or assist in the acquisition, supervision and monitoring of environmental consultants, as part of project team, including reviewing output for correctness and adherence to policies, processes and legislation. Job requires knowledge of and proficiency in computer operation and software applications (e.g. word processing, data management, presentation) to collect, organize and document data and prepare correspondence, reports and training/presentation materials.

Skills :

Job requires analytical, evaluative and interpretive skills to ensure that environmental information is compiled through internal/external contacts, secondary sources and field investigations, the significance is interpreted, potential impacts are assessed and environmental protection measures (e.g. avoidance, design, mitigation, compensation, enhancement) are developed for transportation planning, design, construction and maintenance projects, including participation in the development and evaluation of alternatives at each project phase. Job requires research and data gathering skills to research literature sources, ensure that all “proponent” environmental responsibilities and processes are met, recommend the most cost effective mitigation measures (e.g. recommend alternative solutions given available engineering designs) and research/review and comment on proposed environmental policies and guidelines. Job requires problem solving and negotiating skills to resolve project issues, respond to environmental problems in planning, design, construction, operations and maintenance (e.g. challenges from the public to ministry projects, complaints about water contamination) and complaints against consultants and contractors, develop environmental solutions to serious construction failures, avoid delays/statutory violations and meet federal, provincial and ministry transportation and environmental objectives. Job requires planning, organizational and project management skills to complete assignments to deadlines, conduct/participate in concurrent projects and consultation processes, monitor progress and provide input to consultant appraisal reports. Job requires written communication skills to prepare correspondence, reports, training/presentation materials and Minister's correspondence. Job requires oral communication skills to provide training, advice, direction and interpretation on requirements of environmental statutes and policies to ministry managers, staff, consultants and contractors and consult with external agencies and groups on environmental matters and issues. Job requires interpersonal skills to provide advice to stakeholders, act as ministry representative at internal/external meetings, public information centres and other information dissemination functions. Ability to work independently within procedural controls of legislation, policy and practices

Freedom of Action :

Job requires working independently in accordance with applicable provincial and federal legislation and ministry engineering policies, guidelines, legislation, practices and procedural controls. Job requires making decisions by: establishing terms of reference and work plans for projects; making recommendations that influence cost and schedule of planning and design projects; negotiating/determining solutions that achieve consensus among stakeholders (e.g. federal/provincial agencies, property owners, public interest groups) and environmental agreements and approvals leading to project completion; determining the application of environmental legislation, policies and procedures to specific project situations; auditing of construction projects and recommending approaches on construction sites for prevention/correction of potential environmental damage; and making commitments on behalf of the ministry for environmental issues with other regulatory agencies and/or the public and at public consultation meetings. Work is regarded as technically and legally accurate and is reviewed by the Head/senior environmental planner for soundness and technical accuracy of analysis and recommendations, adherence to ministry policy, procedures, project timelines and acceptability of proposals. Job requires referring complex/controversial and/or precedent setting situations to the Head/senior environmental planner, such as policy/resource implications, concerns of public/interest groups and situations that deviate radically from established procedures/practices.