Project Coordinator, Infrastructure Renewal (Water and Wastewater)

The Role

Coordinates capital infrastructure projects for the Water & Wastewater Services Division.  Retains engineering consultants and contractors to complete assessments, engineering designs, construction work, and commissioning activities.  Coordinates the review and completion of work with operational teams and other internal and external stakeholders. Projects are typically valued between $25,000 - $3,000,000.
    

Duties/Responsibilities

• Controls and administers water and wastewater projects, including project planning phases, technical studies and assessments, conceptual level designs, preliminary and final designs, and implementation. Prepares and coordinates design schedules, engineering and legal surveys, geotechnical investigations, easement acquisitions, and land purchases. Coordinates feasibility and technical analysis of water and wastewater projects, and prepares detailed project cost estimates. Incorporates requirements of departments, area municipalities, utility companies, Ministries, and regulating agencies.  
• Coordinates with Asset Management to incorporate inventory, condition, and capital planning assessments; develop project-planning sheets; and incorporate asset inventories into assigned projects. Communicates engineering recommendations from technical studies and assessments including scope and high-level budget for project planning to support the capital program. 
• Leads project teams to establish project scope, budgets, and schedules for construction projects. Makes presentations to explain the scope of projects and obtain input from stakeholders.
• Prepares and reviews terms of reference for consultant selection. Receives and reviews scope of work, evaluates submissions, shortlists candidates, and conducts interviews. Reviews and negotiates work plans and budgets. Monitors signing, sealing, and provision of insurance certificates for legal consulting service agreements. Prepares recommendations for Planning & Works Committee (PWC) and Council. 

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Determines and obtains approvals for construction from stakeholders. Reviews technical specifications and drawings for inclusion in quote and tender documents. Prepares quote and tender schedules and public tender advertisements for construction. Responds to inquiries from prospective bidders and tenderers and offers written addenda for tender clarification. 
• Participates in public tender openings. Ensures mathematical accuracy, and legal and technical compliance for quotes and tenders. Ensures signing, sealing, and provision of insurance certificates and bonding for construction contracts. Summarizes quotes and tenders and recommends quote awards.
• Chairs pre-construction and site meetings with contractors. Reviews schedules, work plans, and other contractor submittals. Communicates construction impacts to residents, area municipalities, utilities, government agencies, and other stakeholders. Arranges for construction inspection and surveying, and material and equipment testing inspections. Reviews and provides comment on construction/shop drawings with other staff, area municipalities, consultants, and contractors. Aligns project activities with other ongoing projects to minimize impacts to water and wastewater operations.
• Monitors project progress and authorizes design changes and extra work. Negotiates claims, disputes, and payments with contractors. Prepares monthly payment applications and ensures holdbacks per legislation. Reviews and monitors schedules and budgets. Provides project updates to management, water and wastewater operations staff, and other stakeholders. Uses budget, scheduling, and project status reporting tools.
• Visits construction sites to assess work quality and progress. Establishes list of deficiencies, releases holdbacks, conducts final inspections, and issues completion certificates. Ensures work is completed per quote/contract documents and health and safety legislation (e.g., factory acceptance testing). Reviews and approves project record drawings and operation and maintenance manuals. Accepts completed work on behalf of the Region.
• Prepares applications for new/amended water and wastewater licenses and approvals (e.g., Ministry of the Environment, Conservation & Parks (MECP), Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA)). 
• Coordinates equipment training for operations staff. Provides technical support to water and wastewater operations groups. Monitors warranty periods for projects and actions required to correct deficiencies.
• Has signing authority for invoices and purchase requisitions up to a maximum designated by the Commissioner, and holds a P-card.  
• Provides performance evaluations and corrective feedback to consulting engineers and contractors in respect to their project performance.
• Refers complex issues and problems with corporate and political impact to management.
• Attends and participates in conferences and seminars.  
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge and skills are acquired through a 3-year degree/diploma in Engineering or related field, and a minimum of 3 years related experience.
• Must hold or be eligible for certification as a Technologist by the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technologists and Technicians (OACETT). 
• Knowledge and experience in engineering methods and administration, water and wastewater treatment, water distribution and wastewater collection, municipal water and wastewater systems, and budget preparation and monitoring.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, contract law, and related legislation and standards, including but not limited to: health and safety, Construction Lien Act, Ontario Water Resources Act, Environmental Protection Act, Ontario Electrical Safety Code, Environmental Assessment Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, O. Reg 165/04, Ontario Provincial Standards, Canadian Standards, MECP guidelines and standards, National Fire Protection Agency Standards, American Water Works Association Standards, Ontario Building Code.  
• Communication skills to instruct and train contractors, consultants, and other staff in work methods and procedures; present at public information centres, open houses, formal public meetings, and council meetings; and participate as an effective team member. 
• Ability to manage time and schedules, identify potential difficulties and their causes, generate workable solutions, and prioritize work to meet deadlines and achieve results.
• Ability to adapt to changing demands and conditions.
• Ability to read and understand manuals, design specifications, contracts, reports, legal documents, and memos.
• Ability to write clear, concise correspondence, reports, contracts, agreements, and project definition reports. 
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office, SCADA applications, and AutoCAD.
• Ability to adjust schedule to respond to call-outs on construction sites, perform plant trials and studies, avoid project delays, provide technical support, and attend inspections, open houses, and public meetings.
• Ability to travel within Waterloo Region.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.