Municipal Approvals Engineer

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the EPEA  Team Lead, the Municipal Approvals Engineer is responsible for the technical review responsible for the technical review and preparation of approvals, registrations, and related authorizations under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA) for municipal water, wastewater,storm drainage systems and landfills.

As the Municipal Approvals Engineer, you will be responsible for reviewing and evaluating municipal discharges and disposal of wastewater and solid waste generated from communities and ensuring availability of safe drinking water in adequate quantities. 
These duties are performed within the parameters of the Alberta Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA) and policies of the Department.

Working in partnership with various internal, municipal, and public stakeholders, you will provide information and advice to facilitate the discussion and resolution of environmental issues in order to expedite approval processes and abatement activities. Your knowledge of physical, chemical, and biological processes will be critical to your success in this position, as you are required to provide direction on process operations and control, facility modifications, treatment changes, and chemical usage.

This position requires in-depth technical knowledge and excellent verbal and written communication skills to represent the Region/Department in public forums and interaction with other stakeholders including technical experts, owners/operators of facilities and advise elected officials. It also requires the ability to cope with emergency situations and act as a member of the response team.

Your main areas of focus will be:
•    Approvals drafted by the Municipal Approvals Engineer set out conditions that regulate the treatment of water and wastewater systems and municipal landfills, which has direct impacts on human health and the environment.
•    Approvals impact municipal operations by establishing terms and conditions for the release of substances into the environment.
•    The work can have considerable financial consequences to the municipality due to the capital and operational costs of their water and wastewater treatment systems, and waste management.
•    The work also impacts stakeholders including other departments, environmental/community groups and the public.
•    Work is performed in accordance with the regulations, policies, standards and guidelines under EPEA.
•    The Municipal Approvals Engineer collects and organizes input from a wide range of technical and professional resources to address varying issues.
•    The work involves considerable interaction with municipal officials and engineering consultants by clarifying requirements and providing advice.
•    The Municipal Approvals Engineer has frequent interactions with the department's technical specialists as well as with other government agencies such as Alberta Health Services, Infrastructure and Transportation, and Environment Canada).

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies: https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

As the successful candidate, you are:
•    An exceptional communicator who enjoys dealing with diverse stakeholder groups.
•    Confident in applying engineering principles and knowledge to facilities independently.
•    Capable of managing significant workloads and balancing priorities.
•    Experienced in evaluating the technological and economic viability of proposed projects.

The following key competencies will be critical behavioral characteristics required of successful candidates:

DEVELOP NETWORKS: Your demonstrated experience building trust, confidence and credibility with community and industry officials in order to establish potable water, wastewater and waste systems management strategies, clarify approval requirements and provide advice to improve environmental performance.

CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING: Your ability to research and develop treatment and management strategies and approval standards for potable water, waste water and waste systems for which there are no existing Alberta guidelines in place.

AGILITY: You are able to be reliable, act independently and think beyond tasks in order to accomplish organizational goals. You anticipate and adapt to rapidly changing priorities while effectively working in a variable environment.

DRIVE FOR RESULTS: Knowing what outcomes are important and maximizing resources to achieve results that are aligned with the goals of the organization while maintaining accountability.

SYSTEMS THINKING: Keeps broader impacts in mind and uses technical skills and knowledge to assist in finding strategies  and assessing options and implications to meet environmental outcomes.

Qualifications

Required:   
•    University Degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering.
•    5 years of directly related experience, including:
o    Water and wastewater treatment plant unit processes.
o    Quality assurance/control relating to sampling, testing, and analysis of data.
o    Work related to relevant legislation, standards, and guidelines.
o    Public Health risk assessment.
o    Knowledge of contaminant hydrology principles related to wastewater and landfill design/operation.
•    Eligibility for membership with APEGA as a Professional Engineer.

Equivalencies: Additional related education considered in lieu of experience on a one-for-one basis.

Candidates who do not meet the educational and experience requirements may be considered at lower classification and salary.

Additional assets:
Preference will also be considered for candidates that have:
•    A Master level degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering.
•    Broad knowledge of water, wastewater, air, groundwater and soil quality issues.
•    Knowledge of water treatment technology, wastewater pollution control technology, stormwater management technology, water source protection and their respective principles.
•    Understanding of Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act.
•    Experience interpreting technical information/concepts including standards and requirements to both technical and non-technical individuals.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

• This is a full-time permanent position.
• Location preference is Red Deer, but other locations maybe considered.
• Monday – Friday, 36.25 hours per week.
• Candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at a lower classification and salary.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in. 

Links and information on what the GoA has to offer to prospective employees.
•    Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages- working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
•    Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
•    Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
•    Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
•    Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
•    Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
•    Leadership and mentorship programs.