Who are we?
Credit Valley Conservation is one of Ontario’s 36 conservation authorities dedicated to protecting, restoring and enhancing our local natural environment. We care for the Credit River, its streams and tributaries from the headwaters in Orangeville to the shores of Lake Ontario in Mississauga. We are scientists, engineers, researchers, educators, environmentalists, stewards, planners, foresters, recreation experts and much more. We create connections between people and nature, knowledge and action. We inspire appreciation for the role of nature in keeping people connected, healthy and happy. We’re leaders and explorers. We are professional and we’re inspired. We know our stuff, and we work every day to make a difference.
Who are you?
You want to be part of an organization with an environmental goal. You get up every day and go to work with purpose. You accept that you may not change the world, but you’ll try to make an impact in your corner. You like to partner with skilled people across many professions. It’s as natural for you think about the outdoors as it is to think out of the box. You’re passionate, responsible and approachable. You do what’s right, not just what’s easy. You care, and it shows.
Why work for us?
We offer competitive public sector pay. We have a good employee benefits program. We’re members of the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) pension fund. We have flexible work hours for many positions. We find time to have fun and celebrate successes. You’ll have free access to our parks and discounts on recreational equipment rentals. You’ll know your co-workers by name and will make fast friends. You’ll like being at work.
Summary of Functions
The Engineer is responsible for providing technical leadership in the research and development of watershed and climate risk science, guidance, support, and tools. Provide technical direction and supervision to a team of professional staff, to ensure the effective and efficient development and delivery of CVC’s programs, policies and services relating to numerical modelling, climate change vulnerability and risk assessment. Further, this position is responsible for the knowledge transfer of research to our partners to ensure the successful implementation of on-the-ground action, advances in decision making and policy changes. The Engineer will work in collaboration with other departments and external partners, securing program funding and assisting with achieving the goals of CVC’s Strategic Plan.
Eligibility Requirements
Education
- Degree in engineering in water management or water resources
- Member of Professional Engineers of Ontario (P.Eng)
Experience
- Minimum 5-7 years’ experience directly related to the identified tasks and responsibilities
Knowledge, Skills and Ability
- Demonstrated ability to plan and carry out projects, including working in teams, managing staff and fiscal resources, directing field programs, analyzing data and preparing reports and presentations
- Intermediate working knowledge in the use and application of hydrologic and hydraulic computer models and associated database management systems for the protection and management of surface waters at small catchment and watershed scales
- Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
- Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Intermediate technical skills in engineering software including HEC-RAS, EPA SWMM5, Visual OTTHYMO, QGIS, ArcGIS and InfoWorks.
- Must be proficient in Microsoft Suite software including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Summary of Major Tasks
Watershed Risk and Climate Change Technical Research Services
- Lead technical review and decisions in the development and use of numerical models (related to climate change and risk sciences).
- Deliver technical review and decisions related to the development of innovative numerical modelling tools to advance watershed science and support Planning, Watershed Management and Watershed Transformation programs
- Develop technical development of guidance associated with integrated watershed, climate change and risk management
- Run and update analytical numerical models (hydraulic, hydrology, water quality) and visualize data (ArcGIS, QGIS) mapping developed by models/risk assessment tools to identify threats to vulnerable populations, municipal services (emergency management services, critical infrastructure, and public health) in light of climate change.
- Prepare, maintain, review, and update models, vulnerability mapping and climate change related databases and tools; including developing and updating existing flood vulnerable sites and climate change projections.
- Knowledge transfer of climate change and risk sciences internally and within the CVC jurisdiction.
- Participate in Emergency Management forensic audits post extreme events to identify vulnerabilities to inform research initiatives to support Water Management flood team.
- Contribute to development of tools to assess municipal risk, providing municipal partners with damage costs assessments to inform municipal management decisions and inform by-laws.
Project Manage Climate ChangeRisk Assessment Projects
- Lead flood vulnerability risk assessments, and climate change components of watershed and subwatershed studies.
- Prepare project terms of reference and manage consultant studies.
- Provide project management, including project design, work plan development, budget preparation and cost accounting.
- Supervise internal staff, providing work planning, mentorship, coaching and problem solving support to ensure projects remain on-time and within budget
- Provide climate change risk expertise, including preparing/presenting scientific reports identifying and providing information on changing legislation and policy requirements
- In collaboration with municipal partners develop, review design and monitoring of mitigation and adaptation measures to reduce watershed risks due to urbanization and climate change
Liaise with Clients, Partners, and Funders
- Liaise with community leaders, businesses, institutions, agencies and organizations to foster partnerships, build relationships, and create new revenue streams.
- Proactively support and seek collaboration and partnership with teams and programs within CVC and with outside organizations, agencies, municipalities.
- Prepare and deliver reports, presentations, communication and information to external groups and stakeholders as well as internal staff.
- Support Chief specialist seek new strategic and collaborative partnerships, and funding opportunities; including but not limited to workplan, budget and application writing.
Water Resources Management Policy Support
- Assist CVC in developing and maintaining policies, guidelines, and strategies related to water management and climate change objectives with a focus on protection of life and property from flooding and development of mitigation and adaptation measures to address impacts of climate change.
- Provide support to planning staff in the use and interpretation of climate change models/assumptions/risks used to support/inform the review of the development applications.
- Represent CVC as an expert witness related to Authority interests on climate change sciences as it relates to water resources. Other duties and projects as appropriate to the position.
Additional Information
- 35 hours per week