Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineer

Job Status: Permanent Full-Time

Pay & Grade: $103,829 - $129,778 annually, Grade/Band 11 (Under Review)

Hours of Work: 35 hours per week

Initial location: Kitchener Operations Facility

Posting period: March 18 – April 4, 2025

Overview:

Reporting to the Manager, Environmental Compliance and Utility Performance (Sanitary and Stormwater), this position will support and facilitate legislative compliance with the City's emergency spills response, excess soils management, contaminated and brownfield site development, and contaminated sites liabilities.

The Environmental Engineer will be responsible for coordinating interdivisional activities, liaising with governments and municipalities, and working with both internal and external stakeholders, reviewing technical studies and environmental reports, and providing input regarding emergency spills, excess soil management, brownfield, contaminated site developments, and managing City owned contaminated sites and historical landfill sites.

If you are ready to make a difference and be part of a team dedicated to a better future, apply now, and join us

Responsibilities:

Emergency Spills: Support City's response to environmental spills and releases which may include but are not limited to drafting City's emergency response plan, supporting internal City divisions on scoping of work, coordinating soil/groundwater sampling, drafting reports, reviewing reports, liaising with the MECP, GRCA, other regulators, consultants, and contractors.

Excess Soil Management: Lead City's efforts on drafting excess soil strategy to properly manage, reuse and dispose of excess soils generated from City's infrastructure projects (including sediments from Stormwater Management Facility maintenance), support other divisions in scoping excess soils works, review reports, liaise with the MECP, GRCA, other regulators, municipalities, consultants, and contractors.

Brownfield and Contaminated Sites Development:

- Support City's policies for brownfield/contaminated sites development within the City.
- Support City owned contaminated or brownfield sites development right from the initiation phase (scoping of work) to the closure phase (divesture or up to site development phase), procure and manage environmental consultants, including preparing bid documents and evaluating proposals to make recommendations for award of contracts, liaise with the MECP/other regulators, consultants, contractors, and other stakeholders, as required.
- Review and provide comments on Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) reports, Phase II ESA reports, Risk Assessment reports, Remediation reports, Hydrogeological reports, source water protection assessment reports, etc. submitted in support of the site development through development and planning applications.
- Compile and maintain reference files, track all relevant information, reports, and correspondence for City properties, and prepare a summary report, as required.
- Assist with and/or conduct Phase I ESA investigation and reporting. Coordinate soil sampling and interpret laboratory testing results for community gardens.
- Liaise with municipalities, Federal, Provincial, and other External Agencies in matters related to Brownfield and Contaminated sites.

Liability for Contaminated Sites and Property Transaction Support:

- Provide technical support in the development of baseline financial estimates for brownfield or contaminated site remediation and/or risk assessment and generate annual updates to baseline estimates, as needed.
- Review and provide comments on Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) reports, Phase II ESA reports, Risk Assessment reports, Remediation reports, Hydrogeological reports, source water protection assessment reports, etc. submitted in support of land transactions.

Other Duties:

- Coordinate with other City divisions on future capital works programs.
- Provide support in the review and approval of grant applications under the City's Community Improvement Plan (CIP) for the development of City owned brownfield or contaminated sites.
- Prepare written correspondence, reports, and presentations to internal and external clients, including residents, regulatory agencies, City staff and Council, as required.
- Review bylaws and other City policies to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Keep current on new technologies, legislation, policies, and best practices related to soil and groundwater contamination, remediation and risk assessment, Excess Soil Regulation, and other acts and regulations, as needed.
- Track and respond to environmental inquiries. Undertake public or community consultation, as required.
- Establish contacts with stakeholders and community groups to promote community awareness in environmental assessments and reviews.
- Consult and maintain relationships with funding agencies such as the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and apply for funding to supplement City budgets.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements:

- Minimum 4-year post-secondary degree in Civil and/or Environmental Engineering or related field.
- P. Eng. or eligible for registration as a Professional Engineer with the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO).
- Minimum 5 to 7 years' experience in the civil/environmental engineering industry with an in-depth understanding of engineering principles in contaminated sites development, emergency spills response, and excess soil management.
- Valid MTO Class "G" driver's license in good standing with personal vehicle which can be used for City business.
- Strong computer skills with the ability to use software programs such as CityWorks (CMMS), GIS, Microsoft Office and Outlook, Power BI etc.
- Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel or database management software – demonstrated ability to quality assure/quality control (QA/QC) operational data, mine for inconsistencies and resolve to ensure compliance; Intermediate skills in other Microsoft Office Suite tools (i.e., Word, Teams, Power Bi, Power Point and Outlook).
- Excellent negotiation and problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to interface tactfully and effectively with all levels of management, operational and specialist staff, Provincial approval and legislative agencies, consultants and contractors, suppliers, peers, and the public.
- Knowledgeable on applicable Provincial acts, regulations, policies, and procedures of the MECP. Ability to interpret and apply environmental legislation and knowledge of policies, procedures, and guidelines to plan and deliver the compliance systems; and to ensure that regulatory considerations are incorporated into all phases of program development and management.
- Excellent customer service skills with the ability to respond effectively to regulatory and customer issues and with all levels of staff and stakeholders.
- Reliable with a good attitude and employment record.

Department/Division: Infrastructure Services, Sanitary and Stormwater Utilities

Group: CUPE 791

Competition Number: 2025-057

Job Code: 1526

Number of positions: 1

Why work at the City of Kitchener

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