Manager, Environmental Enforcement & Laboratory Services

The Role

Manages the Environmental Enforcement & Laboratory Services delivery of analytical laboratory services, environmental field monitoring, spills response, and sewer use by-law enforcement, in accordance with Provincial legislation, the Environmental Enforcement and Laboratory Services (EE&LS) laboratory testing license, ISO17025, and the quality management system. 

Duties/Responsibilities

• Supervises a Technical Specialist of Analytical Chemistry; Supervisor of Inorganic Chemistry; Supervisor of Quality & Compliance; Senior Microbiologist; and Supervisors of Environmental Field Services. Indirectly supervises unionized staff.
• Manages laboratory and field operations, including organic, inorganic, biological, spills, drinking water, and industrial enforcement programs in accordance with strict drinking water regulations, wastewater monitoring programs, and the Region’s Sewer use by-law.  
• Manages the laboratory’s quality management system to ensure technical validity of analytical results and compliance with applicable legislation and accreditation requirements. Manages the development and review of all quality system documentation, analytical methods, and operating procedures, and all records required by the Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation (CALA) for the maintenance of EE&LS’ quality systems accreditation. Has overall responsibility for the implementation, organization, and maintenance of a robust QA/QC program that complies with current quality system standards and relevant legislation.
• Manages documentation and records management through the laboratory information management system (LIMS). Ensures system is appropriately used and updated, and that all data, records, and documentation are properly stored and accessible.
• Reviews performance evaluation analytical data to confirm ongoing EE&LS quality system accreditation.
• Ensures that analytical reports leaving EELS are correct, complete, and generated within strict turn- around times to meet client/legislative needs. 
• Manages client billing and administration. Ensures test costs are accurate, competitive, and provide cost recovery. Ensures annual invoices for analysis are accurate, prepared and sent to Finance.
• Participates in audits performed by external accreditation bodies, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and internal auditors. 
• Participates in all Ministry laboratory inspections. Follows up immediately to ensure that any noted deficiencies are addressed. Communicates directly with Ministry inspectors to exchange technical information. 
• Initiates and follows up on non-conformance reports, deviations, corrective action reports, and method audit reports. Performs and documents health and safety work observations monthly.
• Manages sewer use by-law enforcement activities, including acting as a resource for non-compliant wastewater dischargers. Meets with industry representatives to resolve escalated by-law infractions, and escalates to senior management for legal action, as required. Provides court testimony, as required.
• Manages sample receiving and administrative support functions. Acts as a backup for the Supervisor, Quality and Compliance in their absence.
• Reviews technical reports/research papers, consults with external technical experts, and provides technical information regarding water/ wastewater analysis and sewer use enforcement to staff. 
• Exchanges technical information and consults with other divisional management and their staff, and local municipal clients. Responds to internal and external clients regarding field and analytical service concerns and takes appropriate action to document and investigate.
• Exchanges information with public health staff regarding protection and investigation activities related to water sampling and analysis.
• Consults with and provides information to consultants hired by the Region. 
• Manages the environmental spills response program, provides information, and responds to public complaints/concerns.
• Manages resources to ensure regulatory and client-mandated sampling/testing requirements are met. 

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Manages waste handling practices to ensure compliance with applicable legislation (e.g., O. Regulation 347, Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, Human Pathogens and Toxins Act).
• Has contact with wastewater treatment plant staff, other municipalities, and clients to discuss/ clarify analytical results and respond to service concerns. Contacts technical experts (Environment Canada, MECP, Ministry of Health & Long Term Care, universities, Environmental Protection Agency, private laboratories) to exchange information. Contacts consultants and other industries involved in regional projects or spill clean-up. 
• Manages administration of contracts with external laboratory services. Responds to requests for analytical services and makes referrals to other labs.
• Manages operational and long-term planning, and the development and implementation of new programs and services. Develops strategy on achieving objectives, considering impacts to stakeholders, legislative constraints/requirements, and political implications.   
• Prepares and administers an operating budget. Holds a P-card and has signing authority to pre-determined limit. Prepares and administers capital budgets for equipment, software, and building modifications. 
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge and skills are acquired through a Bachelor’s degree in Science, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline, plus progressively responsible related experience.
• Knowledge of theories, principles, and practices of environmental science, laboratory and field analytical methods, industrial and manufacturing processes, wastewater treatment, data analysis, technical writing, environmental spills investigations, enforcement investigations, compliance agreements, and legal matters.
• Knowledge of quality control procedures associated with sampling, analytical parameter measurements, and equipment operation, quality system audits, Standard Council of Canada, and ISO 17025.
• Knowledge of contaminated site assessment and remediation practices, spill response and clean up requirements. Experience providing professional assistance to internal departments related to contamination, spills, and other high profile issues. 
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, Ministry regulations, quality system/standards, and related legislation (e.g., sewer use, drinking water, clean water, environmental protection, waste handling, water resources, health and safety).
• Analytical, problem solving, and continuous improvement skills to plan/develop objectives and determine program goals, including administrative, quality, technical, operational, and financial components; select staff to achieve goals/objectives; and develop solutions, considering technical disciplines including organic/inorganic chemistry, biology, chemical engineering, and wastewater treatment.
• Leadership, communication, and human relations skills to manage, train, develop, motivate, and support staff; address public concerns; exchange information with regulatory bodies; provide direction to industry representatives; provide/present technical reports/issues to coordinating committee and Council; deal with politically sensitive issues/complaints; and participate as an effective team member.
• Ability to review, interpret, and apply scientific and technical information, legislation, reports, sampling and field analysis procedures, health and safety manuals, safety data sheets, and quality system documents. 
• Ability to write technical reports and detailed analytical methods using specialized terminology and legal language.
• Computer skills using software such as Microsoft Office, LIMS, Power BI, and other program specific databases. 
• Ability to participate in an official standby/on-call rotation to respond to legislated or time sensitive demands beyond regularly scheduled work hours.
• Ability to travel within and occasionally outside Waterloo Region.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.