Senior Engineer (Transportation Planning)

The Role

Develops transportation plans for large scale, high profile/complex/politically sensitive projects focusing on active transportation, as well as road, rail, and transit projects. Develops, implements, and monitors the regional transportation and transit forecasting model. Reviews development-related transportation impact studies and recommends transportation improvements. Represents the Region on provincial government transportation initiatives.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Supervises students, engineers and engineering interns, as assigned.  Administers contracts for engineering consultants, planners, and legal, financial, and environmental specialists.
• Administers transportation demand forecasting model for Regional transportation and transit, including developing and implementing changes.
• Determines needs/justifications for environmental assessment reports for new roads and road widening for projects.
• Project manages high profile/complex transportation planning projects, including master plans (e.g., active transportation, rail, transit). Establishes project scope and requirements. Takes full responsibility for projects from conception to completion. 
• Reviews and analyzes complex/political proposed transportation amendments to Area Municipal Official Plans, Regional Official Policies Plan, and Provincial legislation to assess the impact on Regional transportation policies, for manager review.
• Reviews complex/politically contentious development applications and transportation impact studies, analyzes transportation planning implications, and provides professional recommendations to the Regional position on significant transportation planning issues.
• Represents the Region in highly political dealings (e.g., negotiations, agreements, cost-sharing, approvals, tribunals) with stakeholders including area municipalities, elected officials, utility companies, federal and provincial Ministries, the media, and public.
• Collaborates with Regional staff, including IT, Legal Services, Planning, and Finance to deliver projects and resolve issues.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Chairs/conducts public meetings and consultations as the project lead. Responds to public complaints regarding high profile/complex/politically sensitive projects.
• Assumes professional engineering responsibility for work within professional scope of practice including application of a professional seal and signature, if required.
• Provides broad technical subject matter expertise.
• Determines with manager transportation planning studies for inclusion into the 10-year Transportation Capital Expansion Program.
• Provides input into the development and prioritizing of the annual budget and work program, including the 10 Year Transportation Capital Forecast. 
• Develops contracts and procures goods and services. Manages and negotiates work plans and budgets with consultants. Approves invoices.
• Writes/reviews technical reports.
• Writes Committees and Council reports for supervisor review and presents reports to Committee and Council.
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of transportation engineering, planning, modelling, demand management, active transportation planning and design, transportation impact analysis, and demand forecasting, normally acquired through a university degree in a related field (e.g., Transportation Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering), plus progressively responsible related experience (or an equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Must be licensed and in good standing as a Professional Engineer in the Province of Ontario, or be a member in good standing holding a Limited License in the area of practice(s), issued by the PEO. For those trained outside of Canada, equivalency will be determined by the PEO. Participates in activities to maintain professional license.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with corporate policies and procedures, related legislation (e.g., Occupational Health and Safety Act, Construction Lien Act, Environmental Protection Act, Environmental Assessment Act), Ontario Provincial Standards, Canadian Standards, Ministry guidelines, contract law, and engineering standards.
• Ability to work independently on concurrent projects (consulting with senior staff/supervisor as applicable); review decisions/problems with Regional/political sensitivity with management; explore project alternatives individually/as part of a project team; and make recommendations on improvements to existing contract and engineering standards and procedures.
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office, computer aided design, specialized systems, and computer models.
• Communication and human relation skills to direct and guide consultants and staff; coordinate and negotiate project requirements; prepare and present written and visual materials for public drop-in centres, open houses and formal public meetings according to the EA approval process and Act; conduct presentations to Committees, area municipalities and Councils; hold open houses and formal meetings for the media and public; respond to public inquiries; and participate as an effective team member.
• Ability to write project correspondence, reports, contracts, agreements and project definition reports for consultants, committees, Regional and area municipal councils, staff, media and the public where applicable. Ability to read and interpret policy and procedure manuals, engineering and technical journals, design specifications, contracts, reports, legal documents, and memos.
• Ability to travel within Waterloo Region. 
• Works in a standard office environment. Occasionally conducts field visits, which may include cycling to identify gaps in cycling network, test technology and designs, and document deficiencies. Exercises precautions and uses personal protective equipment to mitigate risks associated with hazardous conditions (e.g., moving traffic). Work is subject to interruptions from staff, the public, and consultants for direction and information. Some contacts are difficult/frustrated regarding the controversial nature of some projects.
• Ability to adjust hours to attend open houses and deal with emergencies.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.