Senior Engineer (Water Services)

The Role

Plans, designs, manages, and authorizes the provision of engineering services, operations, and assets in the Division for large scale, high profile/complex/politically sensitive projects, including engineering planning, asset management, environmental assessments, master planning, waste water and water maintenance.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Chairs project teams on high profile/complex projects. Establishes project scope and requirements. Takes full responsibility for project from conception to completion. Work is checked periodically for end result. Resolves new/unusual problems or recommends solutions in consultation with supervisor.  
• Conducts assessments and studies required for large-scale project planning and optimization projects.
• Designs capital projects that are high profile/complex/politically sensitive, involving multi-disciplinary engineering areas/activities.
• Develops and manages schedules and budgets (up to multi-million).
• Identifies need for and manages property transactions access agreements and approvals, involving multiple stakeholders.
• Supervises Engineering & Planning Coordinators (Water), a Water Analyst (Asset Management) engineers and engineering interns, as assigned; provides guidance to same. Directs technical and survey staff on design projects and in preparing final contract drawings. Assigns work to clerical, survey, and drafting staff on in-house projects and provides technical direction to construction inspectors and survey crews. Provides direction, guidance and performance evaluation to consulting engineers, with input into their hiring and dismissal.
• Participates in the training, development and mentoring of engineers and engineering interns.
• Administers contracts. Interprets documents with contractors. Authorizes payments, changes and extra work. Negotiates claims, disputes and payments.
• Develops contracts and procures goods and services. Manages and negotiates work plans and budgets with consultants. Approves invoices.
• Negotiates and obtains approvals (e.g., Municipal, Ministry).
• Visits construction sites to assess quality and progress of work. Ensures work is completed per contract documents and legislation.
• 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.
• Provides input for the ten-year capital program and operating budgets.
• Writes/reviews technical reports.
• Writes and presents reports to Committees and Council.
• Represents the Region in 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.
• Leads studies and research initiatives by partnering with academic institutions or other organizations; liaises with researchers.
• Performs related duties as required.
   

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of municipal engineering, normally acquired through a degree in engineering or applied science, plus progressively responsible related experience in a municipal or project management environment (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, Safe Drinking Water 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 contractors, 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 contractors, 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. 
• Ability to adjust hours to attend open houses and deal with emergencies.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.