Senior Engineer - Water Capital Program, Grand River Conservation Authority (en anglais)

Senior Engineer - Water Capital Program

Internal/External Job Posting

Regular Full Time Non Union Position

The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) has an international reputation for excellence in managing the natural resources of the largest inland river system in southern Ontario. Encompassing approximately 6,800 square kilometers, the Grand River watershed has a population of almost one million people in 39 municipalities and two First Nations. Designated as a Canadian Heritage River, the Grand River and its major tributaries boast many outstanding human heritage features and excellent recreational opportunities. The GRCA is committed to environmental protection by delivering services that ensure the well-being of the environment and its inhabitants. The Grand River Conservation Authority is responsible for issuing flood warnings to municipalities and operating a flood forecasting and warning system. Extensive water control infrastructure including dams, dikes and monitoring gauges is used to reduce flooding and manage water throughout the year to achieve strategic goals of reducing flood damages and improving the health of the watershed.

The Grand River Conservation Authority is recruiting a Senior Engineer to join the team that implements Capital Projects on the Water Control Infrastructure. This is a unique opportunity that includes training from GRCA experts in the area of flood forecasting and warning, dam operations and dam infrastructure management. As well there may be an opportunity to develop and progress into future leadership roles.

The position may be filled at a lower level, should the most suitable candidate not have all of the requisite experience.

General Accountabilities

Reporting to the Director of Engineering, the Senior Engineer - Water Capital Program, works with the Senior Engineer - Water Control Infrastructure to plan and lead, implement and coordinate construction and maintenance projects related to dams, dikes and the gauge monitoring network owned and operated by GRCA. This position assists with the delivery of the public safety and emergency preparedness plans for GRCA dams and dikes and takes a lead role in securing approvals for assigned dam and dike projects. The Water Resources Project Coordinator is supervised by this position. Assumes responsibility for supervising Water Control Infrastructure staff in the absence of the Senior Engineer – Water Control Infrastructure.

Specific Accountabilities

1. Coordinate capital infrastructure and water management projects related to dam and dike safety and the gauge monitoring network, including preparation of requests for quotations, requests for proposals and tenders as required.

2. Manage construction projects, including contract administration and the coordination of consultants and contractors; ensuring the project scope is aligned with GRCA needs and budget.

3. Ensures contractors perform work safely following contracts and specifications.

4. Assist with ensuring compliance of GRCA dams with Provincial and Canadian Dam Association technical guidelines. Maintain dam operation and maintenance manuals, including procedural guidelines, detailed instructions for specific tasks and health and safety procedures.

5. Assist with preparing and maintaining the Five Year Capital & Maintenance Plan for dams, dikes and surface water quantity monitoring network infrastructure. Assist with preparing provincial and federal funding requests.

6. Assist with preparing annual departmental budgets, ensure budgetary control of expenses within assigned areas of responsibility and provide forecast updates to the Finance Department as required.

7. Responsible for developing an Asset Management Plan for GRCA water management infrastructure.

8. Participate in annual inspections of GRCA dams, dikes and gauge stations.

9. Act as a Senior Operator in the flood forecasting and warning program, including participation in the on-call rotation. Assist with the water management and flood control program including emergency and day-to-day operations. This responsibility would be enacted subject to an appropriate period of training and experience.

10. Prepare technical reports, including infrastructure management plans, dam safety incident reports and board reports, as required.

11. Supervise assigned staff and provide general direction for their related program areas. Follow established procedures to hire, train, mentor/coach and discipline employees in a unionized environment.

12. Ensure employees comply with all applicable policies, procedures and legislation with special emphasis on health and safety and hazard mitigation measures.

Technical Accountabilities

1. University degree in Civil Engineering with a specialization in, or experience with, water resources engineering and water management.

2. Eligible for License to practice Engineering in Ontario

3. A minimum of ten years related working experience, in a construction related environment with a minimum of two (2) years of supervisory experience.

4. Strong project management skills with demonstrated experience with procurement, including preparation of requests for quotations, requests for proposals, tenders and agreements.

5. Knowledge of and experience with infrastructure construction and maintenance programs.

6. Knowledge and experience with civil/structural engineering and design codes, standards and practices to perform complex projects on both concrete and steel construction. Experience in dam repair and rehabilitation is desirable.

7. Excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills to work effectively with consultants, contractors and multi-disciplinary team.

8. Effective organizational and problem-solving skills, including the ability to independently make decisions, prioritize work and manage competing deadlines.

9. Working knowledge of relevant legislation and standards including, but not limited to, The Conservation Authorities Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act and related Regulations, Construction Lien Act, Environmental Protection Act, Environmental Assessment Act, Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act and Provincial/Federal Dam Safety Guidelines.

10. Excellent written communication skills with demonstrated ability to prepare correspondence, technical reports, financial analyses, board reports and other documents. Demonstrated analytical and research skills are also required.

11. Computer proficiency in Word, Excel and PowerPoint is required experience with a functional knowledge of GPS survey technology and GIS applications.

12. Valid driver’s license and the ability to travel throughout the watershed.

Competencies and Abilities

Professional Judgement: Demonstrated ability in the area of critical thinking, analysis and assessment of implications, making connections of underlying issues and the ownership of the outcome. Sound judgement resulting in fair, efficient and effective decision making, bringing clarity and resolution to complex and ambiguous situations.

Integrity/Ethics: The willingness to hold oneself and others accountable for acting in ways that are consistent with stated values, principles and professional standards. Maintaining impartiality, objectivity and fairness when dealing with employees, consultants, and contractors. Treat all employees, stakeholders in a respectful manner and sets the expectations for the same between all parties. Admit mistakes and is perceived as a truthful individual, maintaining confidences.

Teamwork: Interacts with people effectively. Able and willing to share and receive information. Proven ability to communicate information clearly and professionally to both internal and external groups. The ability to gather facts and pertinent information to gain an understanding before drawing conclusions or taking action. Demonstrated ability to build partnerships and alliances with peers, partners and staff. Can find common ground and gain cooperation when dealing with disputes.

Goal /Action Oriented: The ability to work in a team or independently with limited supervision and maintain a high level of self-direction, work productivity, quality, and professionalism. Effective problem solving and collaboration skills. Seizes opportunities; takes initiative and is self-motivated. Organizes work, plans activities and sets priorities in a manner that meets competing needs and timely resolution of matters. Demonstrated experience in Project Management with the ability to work under pressure and handle multiple tasks simultaneously with changing priorities. Achieving high standards of performance from others is important. Excellent organizational skills with respect to project management, project planning, contract management and time management.

Customer Focus: Dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers. Develops and maintains effective relationships and ensures good communications with stakeholders.

Leadership: A high level of personal and professional excellence including the ability to align personal and organizational values. Demonstrated ability to be innovative, flexible and entrepreneurial. Maintains a calm and professional attitude in the face of change, stressful situations and challenges. Creates a climate in which people want to do their best. Effectively manage employees, developing a team atmosphere, providing information to employees and having strong interpersonal skills being able to know about employee’s concerns and questions.

The salary range for this position is Job Level K - $102,316 to $124,483

Approximate Start Date: May 31, 2021

To Apply: Please send a resume and covering letter to careers@grandriver.ca in MS Word or PDF format and quote “Senior Engineer - Capital Program” in the subject line.

Deadline for Applications: 4:00pm Friday, April 16, 2021

We thank you for your interest, however only candidates under consideration will be contacted.

Accessibility accommodations are available for all parts of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.

Personal information collected in relation to the recruitment process is collected under the authority outlined in the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and used solely to determine eligibility for employment with the Grand River Conservation Authority