Utilities Lead

The Opportunity:

WSP is looking for a Utilities Lead, to join our Rail & Transit team, preferably located in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area). Reporting to the Line Manager, you will be responsible for managing the utilities work on a project or portion of a large project. This position involves extensive contact with third party agencies and project staff. This position requires 10 years of experience, primarily working in roles related to utilities.

As a member of the Rail & Transit team, you will be given opportunities to use your transferable skills to define processes, create execution plans, mentor the junior team members, and be the technical lead for multiple projects/tasks. You will be supported by management to develop work plans and professional skills to become a strong leader in the consulting environment.

Why choose WSP?

• We value and are committed to upholding a culture of inclusion and belonging
• Our Flexible Work Policy – we recognize the importance of balance in our lives and encourage you to prioritize the balance in yours. We will support you on and off the job so you can be fully present in both your work and home lives.
• A Canadian success story - we're proud to wear the red and white of this beautiful country and show the world what Canada has to offer.
• Enhance the world around you - from the environment to the highways, to the buildings and the terrain, WSP is the fabric of Canada.
• Outstanding career opportunities - we're growing and pushing ourselves every day to be greater than yesterday - we're open to your ideas and trying new things.
• A phenomenal collaborative culture and a workforce filled with genuinely good people who are doing humbly important work. Come find out for yourself what it's like to be a part of our journey.

We offer attractive pay, flexible work options, a great corporate culture, comprehensive and employee-focused benefits including virtual healthcare and a wellness platform as well as great savings programs, and a clear vision for the future.

#WeAreWSP

What you can expect to do here:

• Prepare and implement Utilities Plan, which addresses roles and responsibilities, processes and procedures, applicable standards, and guidelines
• Manage a project's utilities work, starting from identifying existing utilities to confirming location and size of utilities to design and construction of utilities relocations all while keeping financial, environmental, and reputational risk to a minimum
• Coordinate the implementation of utility relocations (gas, hydro, water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, communication, cable TV, gas mains, etc.)
• Work with other disciplines within the project team to understand the impacts any planned utilities work will have on the project
• Identify risks associated with utilities conflicts and develop, implement, and monitor risk mitigation strategies
• Ensure that utility relocations or protection of utilities remaining in situ are appropriate from a risk perspective
• Identify and engage with project stakeholders, understand their needs and pursue their buy in for the project and the project works
• Coordinate the development of contractual strategies to facilitate relocations including stand-alone contracts and/or the integration of utility work into the project's comprehensive civil construction contracts
• Prepare presentations, drawings, internal work flows as necessary to complete the works associated with scope
• Review the utility designs prepared by section designers and/or utility authorities for compliance with client design criteria
• Ensuring that utility relocations are planned/executed in accordance with the master program/project schedule

What you'll bring to WSP:

• University degree or college diploma in Engineering (civil preferred) or Architecture
• Minimum 10 years of experience working in Utilities investigation and/or design in large-scale public infrastructure projects
• Knowledge of the project management process, including an understanding of the need to meet cost and schedule requirements is essential
• Demonstrated experience in Utilities work during the construction phase
• Utilities experience working on transit or transportation projects with MTO (Ministry of Transportation Ontario), Metrolinx, TTC (Toronto Transit Commission), and/or Municipalities/Regions
• Experience with or knowledge of utilities principles and stakeholder negotiations
• Knowledge of alternative project delivery methods, including design-build and progressive design build
• Knowledge of the legal framework for implementing civil/utility infrastructure in the Province of Ontario, and a strong knowledge of applicable codes and legislation
• Requires sound judgement; excellent organizational, analytical, problem solving, interpersonal, verbal communication and technical report writing skills

Preferred experience: 

• Project Management Professional Certification (PMP) would be considered an asset.
• Knowledge of the TPAP (Transit Project Assessment Process) Process would be considered an asset
• Experience working in the Utilities sector in telecoms, hydro, or gas directly for the utility owner or a subconsultant to the utility
• Proven leadership and management skills
• Ability to work successfully in multi-disciplinary teams and across different business units in a matrix organization with little to no supervision
• Ability to adapt well to changes in direction and priorities in a project and deadline-oriented environment
• Experience in a Consulting Engineering environment is an asset
• Analytical and problem–solving skills to interpret and apply specifications, contracts, design documents, test plans, and coordinate contracted technical projects.