Engineering Technologist (Corridor Management)

The Role

Conducts engineering reviews and approvals, including preparation of conditions for applications for utilities, municipal services (watermains, sanitary sewers), local works (sidewalks, bicycle paths), and/or private works on or adjacent to Regional road allowances or other Regional facilities. Provides related technical guidance and expertise to utility companies, communications companies, contractors, consultants, project managers, and staff. Plans, designs, and coordinates annual street lighting programs. Issues road work permits.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Reviews and approves applications from utilities and telecommunications agencies to install equipment within road allowances. Approves regional and area municipal applications to install municipal services within road allowances. Chairs predesign consultation meetings to determine and negotiate best locations for new services/equipment, per policy and engineering standards, and in consideration of public safety, property-owner concerns, traffic movement, construction methods and costs, and stakeholders. Administers municipal consents prior to road occupancy; negotiates cost-sharing for relocation of utility equipment per legislation, franchise agreements, and policy.  Participates in the development of utility cross-sections for new and reconstructed road projects.
• With Design & Construction, area municipalities, and consulting firms, monitors construction in the utility corridor to ensure efficient use road allowances. Coordinates and undertakes field inspections of installations, private work, and area municipal work on road allowances to ensure compliance with approved plans and specifications. Issues orders of compliance to correct issues.
• Represents the Region on committees (planning, utility, and engineering staff from area municipalities, public commissions, utility companies). Collaborates to resolve servicing of existing and proposed developments and capital programs, coordinate construction on road allowances, and develop policies and practices related to roadway use. Exchanges construction forecast information and advises other staff as appropriate.
• Issues road work permits. Reviews applications to ensure conformity with policy, and determines conditions to be imposed through on-site inspections, meetings with contractors, consultants, regional and area municipal staff, developers, and the public to ensure concerns are addressed.  Verifies validity of permits issued by area municipal staff on behalf of the Region and notifies of required corrections.
• Coordinates the approval and installation of traffic signal network duct with utility agencies.
• Conducts engineering reviews and approvals of on-street facilities (e.g., bus shelters, benches). Works with transportation operations staff to approve landscaping, retaining walls within roadways, and remove visibility obstructions, including property title searches.
• Coordinates engineering reviews and transportation approvals for cleanup of contaminated sites within or adjacent to the road network.
• Coordinates annual street lighting programs with local electric power commissions. Receives and reviews program proposals. Incorporates requests from the public, as appropriate, and ensures regional interests and priorities are met. Specifies street lighting design requirements on projects and for road construction projects.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Investigates public concerns and complaints (e.g., improper utility restoration, utility location, service connections, lack of illumination) through engineering studies. On approval, coordinates and monitors resolution, and prepares written replies to the public.
• Provides technical guidance and assistance to staff in Engineering, Planning, Legal, area municipalities, Ministry of Transportation, consultants, and the public. Reviews and provides technical expertise on road capital projects, ensuring projects comply with design standards and policies. Participates on technical teams as required.
• Develops illumination standards, non-development-related storm water management standards, conditions of utility franchise agreements, roadway restoration, and related road allowance matters.
• Prepares budget estimates for street lighting components of capital programs.  
• Operates, stores, and maintains equipment used for locating property bars and measuring distances in good working condition. Coordinates routine maintenance and repair of equipment used by students.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough practical knowledge of civil engineering technology, utility application process, road design and construction, sewers, water main and storm sewer management design, illumination design, and construction, construction procedures and costs, drafting, transportation planning, mathematics, reading and writing skills, and legal interpretation of survey plans, normally acquired through a college diploma in Civil Engineering or related field, plus 3 years of related experience.
• Must have or be eligible for membership in Ontario Association of Certified Technicians and Technologists (OACETT), at the technologist level.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, regulations and legislation (e.g., Highway Traffic Act, Ontario Traffic Manuals, health and safety, standard specification and drawing manuals, Ministry guidelines, design and corridor control manuals, utility design standards, illumination manuals).
• Organizational and problem solving skills to work with minimal direct oversight, make independent decisions, prioritize work, and coordinate projects/programs.  
• Ability to read and understand legislation, technical journals, manuals, work orders, design drawings, by laws, correspondence, reports, and supplier information. Ability to write memos, reports, technical specifications, and letters regarding engineering approvals, operations, and concerns to engineering committee, the public, utilities, and other municipalities.  
• Human relations and communication skills to resolve issues with and respond to public inquiries; communicate with contractors, consultants, and staff; discuss specifications with contractors, utility and communication companies; present to and instruct others in work methods and procedure; and to participate as an effective team member.
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office, Acrobat Reader, Lotus Notes, AutoCAD, and ArcGIS.
• Ability to alter schedule to work evenings and may be requested to work weekend hours to meet with construction/site personnel, respond to site emergencies, and inspect work.
• Ability to travel within Waterloo Region.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.