Senior Environmental Officer (Water Services)

The Role

Performs sampling for the Region’s regulated drinking water monitoring program in accordance with provincial drinking water legislation, the laboratory testing license, and the quality management system. Performs wastewater sampling at industrial, commercial, and institutional facilities to assess compliance with the Region’s sewer use by-law. Conducts field investigations and oversees compliance-based enforcement activities.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Samples regional water supply and distribution sites per strict legislative requirements. Collects operational and compliance water samples for bacteriological, inorganic, and organic parameters, per sampling protocols at private and public premises (e.g., regional well supply sites, businesses, public facilities, private homes, active construction sites during new/temporary water main commissioning). 
• Uses instruments and chemical test kits for on-site analyses and documents results (e.g., pH, dissolved oxygen, chlorine residuals, turbidity, hardness, temperature, gas testing). Follows sample collection, handling, documentation, and submission requirements.
• Immediately reports adverse and abnormal drinking water results (e.g. chlorine residuals) per strict protocol, and legislative requirements. Resamples locations where adverse results are detected.
• Maintains detailed field notes (e.g., conditions, circumstances). Enters analytical and field data to the laboratory information management system.
• Schedules and inspects industrial, commercial, and institutional facilities in relation to wastewater discharge into sanitary and storm sewer systems to assess sewer use by-law compliance. Determines sampling locations, schedules, and analysis. Maintains related records. 
• Sends notices of non-compliance to businesses and follows up on corrective actions.
• Assesses, creates, and issues compliance permits to businesses exceeding by-law limits. Provides recommendations to management if violations are not resolved. Calculates quarterly surcharge invoices and assists Finance to track down overdue payments.
• Assesses, creates, and issues general permits and temporary discharge permits to businesses to discharge to the sanitary sewer.
• Coordinates/obtains samples as evidence for legal action against companies contravening the sewer use by-law. Issues Part I and Part III offences and provides court testimony, when required.
• Investigates abnormal influent that is adversely impacting regional wastewater treatment plants.
• Responds to, investigates, and follows up on environmental spills. Responds to odour complaints, and incidents related to abnormal influent to wastewater treatment plants as required. Notifies stakeholders (e.g., other staff and management, Ministries, local municipalities, industry representatives, emergency services, the public, private service providers).
• Exchanges technical information with other divisional staff/management. Has contact with water and wastewater operations staff to discuss sampling sites, program requirements, and exchange information related to treatment plant problems, and special investigations. 
• Has contact with the public when entering private and public premises for sampling. Responds to general inquiries or forwards for response.
• Operates and maintains corporate vehicles and sampling/monitoring equipment used for own work. 
• Acts as a backup and carries out the duties of the Drinking Water Compliance Officer, as required. 
• Performs related duties as assigned.
   

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge and skills are acquired through a 3-year degree/diploma in Chemistry or related environmental science field, plus 2 years of related practical experience, or an equivalent combination of higher education and less experience.
• Knowledge and skill in water chemistry, sample collection and preservation methods, water and wastewater treatment, environmental legislation, monitoring equipment, industrial/manufacturing processes, data analysis, technical writing, environmental spills investigation, enforcement investigations and compliance related matters.
• Must be certified (or be eligible for certification) as a Water Quality Analyst or licensed as a Water Treatment Operator or Water Distribution Operator, per regulation.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with legislation, policies, procedures, by-laws, health and safety protocols, and rules of evidence and court procedures. 
• Skill using, maintaining, troubleshooting, calibrating, and performing minor technical servicing of field equipment (e.g., pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, turbidity meter).  
• Knowledge of quality control procedures associated with sampling, analytical parameter measurements, and field equipment operation; quality system audits; Standard Council of Canada; and ISO 17025.
• Knowledge of contaminated site assessment and remediation practices, spills assessments, and clean up.  
• Organization, problem solving, and time management skills to work independently, meet deadlines and program requirements, resolve problems/coordinate own activities in the field, and adapt to changes. 

Communication and human relations skills to:
•    facilitate discussions and resolve conflict between stakeholders
•    exchange technical information
•    respond to public inquiries and complaints regarding water quality and   environmental spills
•    notify and update stakeholders regarding environmental spills
•    provide detailed explanations and advice regarding sampling and field analysis techniques
•    conduct meetings
•    gather information and evidence to be able to testify in court
•    and participate as an effective team member.

• Ability to use specialized technical terminology to create and maintain written and computerized records, detailed correspondence, industrial inspection and investigation documentation, environmental incident reports, field notes, information summaries, and procedures.
• Computer skills with ability to use program databases, Microsoft Office and Access, GIS, and a laboratory information management system.
• Must have a valid G driver's licence (or G2 and 3 years of driving experience) and acceptable driving record to operate corporate vehicles. 
• Ability to participate in a stand-by rotation for weekend and after-hours work for spills response and emergency water sampling requests.
• Ability to adjust schedule to work evening hours to support program activities. May be requested to work weekend hours for same.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.