Environmental Protection Technician

**Requisition ID**:43404

**Organization**

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

**Main Purpose and Function**

The Environmental Protection Technician position provides a wide range of environmental technical services in support of the City’s environmental protection program, including those pertaining to receiving water and discharge water quality protection. Activities include developing and implementing environmental assessments, maintaining database systems, and analyzing results. This position also conducts environmental compliance work, including undertaking environmental inspections, reviewing environmental reports and investigating routine bylaw infractions. Serving as a member of the City’s Environmental Emergency Response Team, the Environmental Protection Technician responds to spills and other environmental incidents, taking action to reduce and mitigate environmental impacts and support the City in meeting environmental legislative requirements. This position also responds to environmental inquiries from the public and contributes to the overall environmental protection and improvement efforts of the broader Environmental Services team. With mínimal supervision when in the field, the Environmental Protection Technician must exercise independent judgment and discretion when enforcing routine by-law infractions and conducting other services, ensuring that safe working practices are always followed and adhered to.

**Specific Duties/Responsibilities**
- Develops and delivers environmental assessments and monitoring programs to meet specified objectives, including undertaking evaluations of wastewater, sanitary and combined sewers outflows, storm sewer flows, and receiving environments.
- Delivers the City’s auditing program for permitted industrial/commercial wastewater and groundwater discharges, including conducting inspections, maintaining records of sampling activities, entering data into databases, identifying, and alerting of violations of applicable requirements, and preparing reports.
- Performs routine inspections, including of commercial operations) and erosion and sediment control practices at construction sites, maintains records of inspection activities, prepares reports, and conducts corrective action as needed.
- Conducts and supports environmental investigations, including undertaking research and examining potential pollution sources, conducting sampling, maintaining, and analyzing data, developing recommendations, and preparing reports.
- Responds to public inquiries and routine by-law infraction complaints, including issuing verbal warnings as required and support Environmental Protection Officers to address more serious bylaw infractions.
- Supports environmental permitting activities, including completing routine reviews of environmental compliance reports.
- Participates on the Environmental Emergency Response team and responds to environmental spills, taking action to mitigate impacts and ensure compliance with governing environmental legislation including but not limited to the Environmental Management Act.
- Supports environmental policy, program development and planning work, including conducting research and best practices reviews to prevent environmental impacts and improve ecological health.
- Provides environmental technical guidance to the public, City departments and external agencies.
- Determines and adheres to safe and efficient work procedures in accordance with established standards.
- Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

**Minimum Qualification Requirements**

Education and Experience:

- Graduate of a recognized College or Institute of Technology diploma program in environmental science, planning or related discipline plus some experience in the environmental industry performing data collection and analysis, environmental sampling and monitoring and reporting or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

- Knowledge of environmental issues and challenges, as well as best practices, particularly with respect to the health of aquatic receiving environments.
- Working knowledge of existing sewer systems within the City.
- Considerable knowledge of environmental sampling practices, techniques, and procedures.
- Ability to develop an