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
Be A part of Cutting-Edge Climate Change Research and Innovation
- Collaborate with and contribute to leading-edge climate tools such as CVC’s Risk and Return on Investment Tool (RROIT- learn more about RROIT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfWKZYaALMI) to advance climate change science and support our municipal and private sector partners reduce damage costs associated with extreme weather events and provide cost-benefit analysis to inform adaptation strategies.
- Develop and enhance the understanding of flood and natural hazard risks with consideration for climate change and socially vulnerable communities.
- Research and support innovative approaches to various CVC watershed programs and provide technical guidance toward the development of new studies to support watershed management.
- Run and update 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.
- Lead flood vulnerability risk assessments, and climate change components of watershed and subwatershed studies.
Work with Partners on Climate Action
- 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.
- Building upon the candidate’s strong science background in order to understand the issues, effectively communicate flood risks and emergency preparedness measures to a broad suite of stakeholders, including but not limited to: the general public, commercial and industrial landowners, various levels of government, and NGOs.
- Actively engage municipal partners to grow flood awareness projects, in order to enhance flood resiliency and emergency preparedness.
- Develop technical and public reports, case studies and/or guidance documents; this includes disseminating products for review to technical advisory committees for comments and incorporating feedback into final products.
Create New Business Ventures
- Support manager’s corporate, departmental and divisional administrative tasks.
- Assist with development of key performance indicators and implementation of flood resiliency and emergency preparedness measures.
- Support department business and corporate strategic plan development.
- Establish and maintain effective partnerships and client relation with: municipal, provincial and federal government staff; other agencies/groups; consultants; academics; and, the general public.
- Assist in identifying and exploring opportunities for new or expanded business development aligned with CVC’s Strategic Plan.
Eligibility Requirements
Education
- Post-secondary education in environmental studies, engineering, technology or related field
- Valid Ontario Driver’s License
Experience
- Minimum five years’ experience related to major tasks.
- Minimum one years’ experience supervising staff and leading others
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.
- Strong working knowledge in 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
- Familiarity with CA and provincial policies, guidelines and procedures for flood forecast and warning, floodplain management, and stormwater control.
- Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
- Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Strong technical skills in engineering softwares including HEC-RAS, EPASWMM, PCSWMM, Visual OTTHYMO, QGIS, ArcGIS and InfoWorks.
- Intermediate Skills in R Programming, RStudio ON and Python will be considered an asset.
- Must be proficient in Microsoft Suite softwares including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Summary of Major Tasks
- This position supports the application of CVC’s Innovative Tools that help municipalities understand where the risks of flooding and erosion are greatest, quantify potential direct and indirect damages in dollars under different climate scenarios and compare the effectiveness of different stormwater management solutions (i.e., natural assets, low impact development, grey infrastructure). Providing our users with financial assessments for each mitigation option to help make cost-effective decisions and reduce risk.
- Supports and leads research on new and emerging knowledge gaps related to climate change science including Greenhouse Gas Emissions for stormwater ponds and low impact development, carbon sequestration of natural assets and social vulnerability too flood hazards.
- Project lead hydrologic and hydraulic modelling for riverine flood risk and erosion risk assessments using innovative tools (such as RROIT).
- Project manage case study applications that utilize innovative tools (such as RROIT) which involves engineering design, modelling, vulnerability mapping, reporting and presentations.
- Project Manage a variety of consultants and academic institutions.
- Liaise with Clients, Partners, and Funders through Presentations
- Provide project updates/ reporting to external and internal partners – including municipal staff.
- Administrative/Financial Reporting (work planning, grant reports, invoicing, supporting forecast and carry over administrative tasks)
Additional Information
- 35 hours per week