Hydrogeology Field Technologist

The Role

Assists in the implementation of the Region’s Groundwater Monitoring Program (GMP). Assists with the administration of well inspections, surveys, repairs, and abandonment programs. Installs, troubleshoots, and maintains down-hole monitoring equipment inventory. 

Duties/Responsibilities

• Maintains, monitors performance, and schedules repair of down-hole measurement equipment, including data loggers and pressure transducers for water level measurements in wells. Installs and/or coordinates equipment installation by consultants and contractors. Establishes protocols and coordinates use of regional monitoring equipment by municipalities, Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA), consultants, and contractors.  Researches and recommends new technologies and program changes, and orders new equipment as approved. Installs and alters equipment in wells. Monitors security and condition of the Region’s monitoring well network.
• Assists in identifying locations, depths, and number of measurement points for installation of new wells. 
• Coordinates and negotiates easements, access agreements, and/or permit approvals for construction of regional monitoring wells with other departments, local area municipalities, GRCA, and private property owners. Liaises with Legal Services as required.
• Conducts site visits to confirm well location, assess and document well/equipment condition and  construction, and confirm status. Surveys well locations with handheld GPS.  
• Inspects and conducts minor well repairs. Regularly coordinates, oversees, and checks quality of work of licensed well contractors to conduct more elaborate repairs. Confirms compliance with provincial regulations (e.g., O.Reg. 903, as amended).
• Assists with maintaining the hydrogeological database by coordinating, submitting, and/or manually inputting data, implementing data quality assurance programs, and developing and designing GIS display tables and field modules. Prepares and assembles reports on data trending for GMP validation. 
• Searches for and identifies regional, municipal, and private wells that need to be upgraded, repaired, or decommissioned to ensure compliance with provincial regulations through review of capital project reports, historical water utility maps and reports, third-party site investigation reports, Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) inspection reports, and Permit to Take Water applications and/or reports.  Assesses individual wells and makes recommendations to supervisor for upgrades or decommissioning as required. Retains and coordinates with contractors to oversee work.  
• Contacts private well owners and/or consultants to collect status information for wells in source water protection areas, and recommends upgrades and/or decommissioning to meet provincial regulations. Contacts consultants to obtain well status and/or site investigation information required for Environmental Compliance Approvals, Permits to Take Water, and Road Work Permits. 
• Arranges for and oversees consultant access to Region monitoring wells. 
• Establishes communication procedures with other departments and local area municipal staff regarding well drilling construction and testing on regional and area municipal property. Follows up with consultants and contractors to determine well status.
• Provides technical and program support, including information tabulation, statistics, and graphics to regional staff on short and long term projects and Source Protection Programs, and responds to information requests.  
• Participates on project teams, exchanges data, designs and maintains database, and tracks, graphs, and interprets hydrologic and hydrogeologic data.
• Participates in watershed monitoring programs to meet legislated requirements. Coordinates with local area municipalities and GRCA on connecting stormwater, surface water, and groundwater monitoring programs with the Region’s monitoring programs.
• Assists Hydrogeologists and project managers in developing RFPs, and ensuring scheduled project completion.  

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Negotiates with contractors/suppliers for goods and services related to well decommissioning, well and down-hole monitoring equipment programs, and prepares specification documents.  Organizes, hosts, and attends bidder meetings. Determines evaluation criteria independently or with others as appropriate. Monitors and evaluates day-to-day financial, safety, environmental, and operational performance of goods and services contracts, coordinates and undertakes site inspections, and ensures contract requirements are met. Resolves problems with contractors and suppliers, and refers serious problems to supervisor. 
• Researches and liaises with water monitoring, drilling, and source water protection markets.  Monitors technical and other developments in hydrogeology and source water protection for applicability to the Region through journal research, attending seminars and workshops, and liaising with suppliers, municipalities, and conservation authorities. 
• Prepares budget estimates and financial reports for projects and studies, including estimated costs for consultants, testing, inspection, construction contractors, and other services, and submits for supervisor approval and inclusion in program budget. Monitors budgets for projects, studies, consulting, and construction. Arranges purchase orders, checks invoices for completeness, and completes approval process within accounts payable software. Files documentation as appropriate. 
• Administers, maintains, and coordinates with consultants on the use, movement, and availability of down-hole equipment inventory. Maintains GPS equipment. 
• Provides regular direction and guidance to consultants, engineers, hydrogeologists, and contractors, with input into contract awards and terminations. Ensures contract requirements are met, including that work meets regional standards, policies and practices
• Provides regular technical guidance and assistance to Water and Wastewater staff, consultants, contractors, GRCA, and local area municipalities regarding ground and surface water resource monitoring programs and regional standards, policies, and practices. 
• Participates in inter-governmental water protection meetings to stay informed and influence the development of policies, initiatives and trends.
• Occasionally assists in monitoring the work of university students hired to work for the program. 
• Performs related duties as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge and skills are acquired through a 3-year diploma or degree in Civil, Geological, Environmental Engineering technology or equivalent field, plus 3 years of directly related experience.  
• Must have membership or eligibility for membership in the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologist (OACETT) at the technologist level. 
• Knowledge and skills in well construction and monitoring techniques, source water management and protection, hydrogeology, groundwater flow, sources of contamination to surface water and groundwater, and data management.
• Knowledge and skills in basic chemistry, environmental sampling methodologies, laboratory methods, groundwater servicing, municipal water supply operating procedures, and quality standards.  
• Knowledge of government funding, water supply, hydrogeology and source water protection initiatives.
• Knowledge of the consultant selection process with ability to prepare clear, concise terms of reference documentation.  
• Extensive working knowledge of the Ontario Water Resources Act (e.g., O.Reg 903 -Wells, as amended).  
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with procedures, policies, regulations, and legislation including the Clean Water Act, Environmental Protection Act, and Occupational Health & Safety Act. 
• Research, analytical, organization, and problem solving skills to work with minimal supervision, make independent decisions, prioritize work, and coordinate projects/programs; research water monitoring, drilling and source water protection markets; identify and recommend new technologies; and analyze data, prepare graphs, and interpret results.
• Communication, human relations, and negotiation skills to facilitate discussion and resolve conflicts; exchange technical information; organize and coordinate the work of consultants and/or contractors; advise, instruct and train staff in specific work methods and procedures related to monitoring, decommissioning, equipment and databases; and participate as an effective team member. 
• Ability to discuss specifications and interpret and translate data for technical and non-technical audiences including Committee of Council, the public, utilities, other municipalities, consultants, contractors, GRCA, property owners, and staff. 
• Ability to understand legislation, technical journals, manuals, work orders, design drawings, by-laws, correspondence, reports, and supplier information and keep knowledge current.
• Ability to research, review and evaluate applicability of literature and studies to current initiatives. 
• Ability to write clear, concise reports, documents, work plans, contracts, consultant terms of reference, tender specifications, information packages, and correspondence.  
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Word, Access, Excel, databases, data visualization tools, and GIS.
• Must have a valid Class G driver's license (or G2 with 3 years of driving experience) and acceptable
  driving record to operate Region-owned vehicles.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.