Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To identify, evaluate, and advise ministry, industrial and other stakeholders pertaining to the development of provincial standards, policies, strategies and innovative technologies related to air pollution. To provide engineering expertise in the development and implementation of the air pollution control plans and air standards and participate in negotiations and consultations on air pollution control air standards issues with affected stakeholders.

Duties / Responsibilities :

In the Technology Standards Section, whose clients include the Integrated Environmental Planning and Operations Divisions, staff provide engineering/ technical expertise for a wide spectrum of industrial/ commercial processes and pollution control technologies including advice for policies/ standards on air, water, land and ecosystems; support the development and implementation long-term strategic programs with other Ministry Divisions, and external stakeholders to facilitate the implementation of air standards; manage multi-faceted air related projects, provide technical and program advice and interpretation of Ministry policies and procedures and participate and/ or lead internal and external working groups and committees and facilitate technology transfer within MOE and to external clients.
1. As a ministry expert, provides technical information, guidance and advice to ministry staff, industrial and other stakeholder organizations, on aspects of air emissions from industrial processes, on air pollution control technologies, and on engineering aspects of legislation, regulations and guidelines pertaining to air emissions control in Ontario.
2. Provides detailed technical information on industrial processes, air emissions and air pollution control technologies, to assist in the development of policy, regulations, codes of practice, protocols and guidelines.
3. Critically reviews and assesses existing air standards, identifying need for new/revised standards/ policies; reviews, evaluates and advises on technical/engineering reports and proposals including engineering designs, specifications and design/specification options submitted to the ministry by industry, and external consultants re: air emissions reductions and Ozone issues; provides engineering analysis on complex, innovative and/or unconventional air pollution control processes.
4. Coordinates and/or project manages consultant studies on projects directly related to industrial processes, industrial emissions and air pollution control initiatives.
5. Coordinates the RFP process for selection of experts in industry, air, and air pollution including preparing terms of reference; analyses consultant submissions and recommends selection to Manager.
6. Maintains up-to-date authoritative knowledge of industrial processes, air emissions, air pollution control technology, control technology costs and air pollution control legislation, regulations, and guidelines of the US EPA and other jurisdictions. Researches, assesses, evaluates engineering processes, materials, controls, new technologies and designs in other jurisdictions for possible economically viable solutions in Ontario and makes recommendations accordingly.
7. Work with industry and industrial associations to develop partnerships and other innovative approaches for developing cost-effective and less resource intensive methods for effecting reductions in air emissions.
8. Represents the ministry, in formal and informal consultations and negotiations with industries and NGOs including maintaining current knowledge of activity of international (particularly US) federal and provincial agencies/ministries on the development of Ozone precursor standards.
9. Participates in the development of the components of Cabinet submissions, decision/house and briefing materials related to technical/engineering aspects of air emissions reductions for ozone precursors.

Knowledge :

The position requires full membership in Professional Engineers of Ontario and a university degree in environmental/ chemical/process engineering, and extensive experience in the field of air pollution; advanced knowledge of the theory, principles and practices of engineering, applied chemistry, industrial processes and power generation technologies, as they relate to air emissions, and pollution control technologies. Knowledge and engineering experience in environmental science and technical assessment of metals, dioxins and furans, N0x, S0x, VOCs, suspended particulates, green house gases and CO2 is required to act as an expert in the field of air emissions for development of the Air Standards. Knowledge and engineering experience in fate/ behaviours of chemical substances in the environment and technologies related to industrial/commercial emissions, risk management/ assessment methodologies and ability to apply knowledge to complex technical analysis to lead air standards development to assess and evaluate risks of failure to meet standards, to manage implications of more refined dispersion models, to provide recommendations, options and technical expertise to senior management regarding leading edge air standards and policies, to analyze and evaluate stakeholder input, to liaise with toxicologists and to understand implications of implementing new or revised models/standards when negotiating implementation with industry. Knowledge of and experience in the methodologies and equipment used for stationary sources emission testing and continuous emission monitoring of air contaminants. Broad knowledge and experience in the application of theory to industrial practice, with recognition of socio-economic impacts. Familiarity with the ministry and branch legislation, regulations, standards, programs and goals; proficiency in using computers and commonly used software programs; and effective oral and written communications.

Judgement :

A high level of judgement is required in developing, evaluating and recommending policies, regulations, guidelines and protocols related to air emissions and emissions control; Sound technical judgement is required in critical assessments, developing alternatives for unique and/or complex air emissions control issues, evaluating implementation constraints, estimating capital and operating cost data and negotiate implementation with industry representatives. Sound judgement is required in initiating, planning, scheduling, coordinating and completing multi-faceted projects; judgement is required in independently applying engineering principles to develop technical policy input for policy, regulatory and standard setting initiatives. Work is assigned in terms of project and program packages within a matrix of legislation, ministry objectives, priorities and resources budgets. Projects are organized, controlled and undertaken independently. Manager provides overall guidance on content and consistency with policies and program objectives.

Accountability - Programs :

Reporting to the Manager, Technology Standards Section, the incumbent is accountable for the accurate technical content and timely delivery of work related to: the development of policies, regulations and emission source guidelines, technical bulletins on air pollution control technologies and emission monitoring; preparation of reports for public release; providing engineering and technical guidance and/or opinions and recommendations on projects and programs; and representing branch/ministry interests internally and externally on matters related to air emissions and air pollution control for example the Ontarios Industrial Emissions Reduction Plan.

Contact - Internal :

Regular contact with technical specialists and engineers in the Ministry to exchange information, review and assess existing guidelines and standards and discuss/resolve technical issues and advise on regulations, policies, guidelines, standards. Regular contact with policy staff to provide technical/ engineering input into policy. Regular contact with other Ministry and regional staff to provide expert advice on air emissions and control technologies and interpretation on engineering aspects of policies and regulations.

Contact - External :

Regularly with external consultants, industry representatives, professional engineers, other government agencies, academics, to review information, advise on air emissions, air pollution control technology, regulations, policies, guidelines and to exchange information and ideas. Occasionally with the media as designated/ delegated by Communications Branch to provide information on air pollution control issues such as the Industrial Emissions Reduction Plan.