Lead Environmental Planner

Hydro One Networks Inc•To Be Determined, ON

5d•CA$106,652 - CA$143,218•Hybrid

About The Position

Hydro One is seeking a Lead Environmental Planner to provide environmental services for major transmission infrastructure projects. This role will primarily manage Class Environmental Assessment (EA) requirements for Strategic Projects in Northeastern Ontario. The successful candidate will lead the delivery of complex environmental assessments, including undertaking studies, managing consultant contracts and budgets, coordinating approvals and permits, and ensuring regulatory compliance. The role reports to the Manager, Environmental Services (Strategic Projects – North) and can be based out of Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, or Toronto.

Requirements

A four-year university degree or equivalent in environmental studies, biology, planning or a related field.
Knowledge of forestry, botany, ecology, soils, Arch GIS heritage/archaeology, hydrology forest mensuration and land-use planning theory as they relate to design and construction engineering.
Knowledge of economics to evaluate tenders, award and oversee contracts and prepare budgets.
Knowledge of English, both oral and written, to prepare comprehensive reports, specifications, tendering documents, standards to make presentations to senior management and public groups; and to communicate with staff, government agency personnel and members of the public.
Experience with vegetation management, reforestation, land management, soils management, erosion control methods, cover crops, landscaping, screening, grubbing, right-of-way development activities, construction and restoration techniques, etc.
An understanding of the organization and working relationships among internal LoBs, government agencies and various public groups to carry out negotiations and achieve mutually acceptable solutions.
Experience in the application of practices and legislation to provide direction to staff and contractors, and to contribute to the development of procedures and practices.
Experience with the aspects of property dealings, estimating, purchasing, safety, budgeting, public relations and related administrative processes.
Experience in initiating, preparing and administering contracts.
Experience in the public hearings process, preparing evidence and giving testimony.
Experience in the administration of contracts.
Experience in the supervisory aspects of the job.
Over 6 years and up to and including 8 years of experience.

Nice To Haves

Successfully leading the delivery of large/complex environmental assessments for infrastructure projects.

Responsibilities

Administer the provision of environmental services related to the development of new or the upgrade of existing transmission/distribution lines or stations and miscellaneous projects.
Prepare plans, drawings and specifications, etc, to carry out related work programs.
Prepare and monitor the project budgets and related activities.
Direct contract administration.
Liaise and negotiate with government agencies, public groups and property owners to acquire agreements and approvals.
Liaise with other internal groups to ensure acceptable products and commitments.
Direct the preparation of plans, estimates, drawings and specifications to assist project development, including right-of-way development plans, environmental work, access route layout, the design of mitigation to address complaints, updating of plans to reflect field conditions, etc, from the initial planning phase of projects until the project is commissioned and all restoration is complete.
Prepare estimates for all environmental work associated with transmission or distribution line planning, construction or upgrading projects, and new or upgrading of existing transmission or distribution stations, for inclusion in the project.
Ensure related expenditures are monitored and reviews of variance or change notices are prepared as required.
Direct the development and review of project schedules to ensure the proper sequence of activities necessary to meet deadlines.
Prepare an annual unit staffing plan for inclusion in the section and departmental business plan and budget.
Monitor projects and work programs on a monthly basis to achieve budget objectives.
Prepare estimates related to environment activities within the unit.
Initiate and direct the administration of contracts for materials and services for environmental work programs.
Prepare or direct the preparation of contract documents.
Initiate and direct tender invitation, contractor meetings, evaluation of tenders and preparation of recommendations for award.
Ensure work is carried out according to corporate policies and that contracts are managed in accordance with corporate purchasing policies.
Maintain lists of qualified contractors and consultants for particular activities and functions.
Encourage and direct the training and development of contractors in right-of-way development programs.
Initiate, direct and monitor the work of contractors, taking corrective action where substandard performance arises.
Ensure work is appropriately administered and assessed as to compliance with safety, schedules, specifications and in accordance with pertinent legislation.
Where union labour is involved, ensure that work is done to the extent of the Company's responsibilities in accordance with the collective agreement between the Electrical Power System Construction Association (EPSCA) and the Allied Trades Council.
Liaise with government agencies, public groups and individual property owners to gather information, review plans and practices, gain approvals and make commitments as necessary.
Participate in negotiations to resolve conflicts and make commitments on behalf of the Company involving forestry and environmental practices and issues.
Develop alternative approaches to resolve problems.
Liaise with other LoB staff as required to achieve work programs, provide services, gather information, review commitments and practices, etc. related to forestry and environmental issues.
Direct an environmental monitoring program for internal and external review.
Conduct site tours or inspections with government agency staff, as required.
Direct special studies and research projects related to environmental issues such as natural environment assessments, visual assessments, agricultural capability, soils compaction, heritage resources, Environmental Site Assessments, inventory and assessment of wells, etc.
Ensure that staff cooperate and participate in related research projects.
Prepare estimates for studies, monitor costs and progress.
Be responsible for work programs including the preparation of appropriate specifications and contract documents, monitoring systems, property owners and government agency contacts, statistics, inspections, etc. for various projects.
Direct the implementation of selective clearing programs and the preparation of specifications and contract documents.
Direct the implementation of environmental monitoring programs during the construction phase of any project.
Provide guidance in the development of solutions and preventative work measures, and mitigation to address technical problems encountered.
Direct the preparation and implementation of landscaping and screening programs as required for HV rights-of-way.
Direct the evaluation of wood products on rights-of-way to provide information to real estate staff for property settlements.
Direct the calculation of business losses for forestry related business such as maple sugar production.
Direct the calculation of compensation for such items as loss of shade for cattle, crown dues, evaluation of residential landscaping, plantations, etc.
Direct the implementation of revegetation programs and the preparation of specifications and contract documents.
Direct the preparation of annual statistics on revegetation and planting programs.
Direct the implementation of grubbing programs, the preparation of specifications and contract documents.
Direct the preparation of specifications for restoration of project sites to ensure that commitments are met and to identify outstanding deficiencies.
Direct the commissioning inspection of vegetation clearances, landscape and final restoration to certify that specifications have been met and to ensure a smooth transition of activities from construction to maintenance stages.
Participate as a member of the project commissioning team.
Direct the compilation of information and the preparation of documents. This includes the Environmental Study Report, stormwater management plans, documentation of environmental commitments made during construction and as a basis for future maintenance and land management, and the Environmental Specification to ensure that all project work is performed to minimum environmental standards.
Ensure documents are filed with the appropriate government or public agencies.
Provide a service during route and site selection activities regarding landscape, forestry and environmental concerns.
Ensure all pertinent documentation is reviewed.
Direct the application of suitable cover crops and planting of other vegetation as required to disturbed areas.
Act as a technical resource to other organizations and the public on environment issues.
Establish and chair project teams and work with staff of other LoBs to ensure that projects comply with schedules, costs, legislation, conditions of approval, corporate policies, planning, environmental, and landscape requirements.
Advise, assist and provide a service to commissioning teams and committees on forestry and environmental issues, constraints, legislation, etc, during all phases of project implementation, including transmission line development and tower layout.
Participate in the development of policy and work methods.
Prepare and present technical papers and representations on section activities to senior management and external groups as required.
Prepare evidence on environment and forestry related issues and activities to assist legal and real estate function staff at various hearings and in handling property issues.
Provide information and evidence at hearings, or appear as an Company witness at hearings, such as the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB), Expropriation Act or Consolidated Board, on environmental issues.
Participate in and document various hearings and dispute settlements regarding labour, safety, property and other issues related to environmental activities.
Appear, or direct staff to appear, as representatives or witnesses and provide full cooperation and information or testimony on pertinent issues.
Respond to enquiries or investigations from the Ombudsmen's Office, the Ministry of the Environment and other government agency.
Respond to concerns expressed by property owners, tenants or their legal counsel.
Be prepared to address contentious items and make decisions where existing policy requires interpretation.
Participate in meetings and information centres for new rights-of-way or facilities involving citizen or interest groups and various government agencies to manage concerns on landscape, forestry and environmental topics.
Provide input and assistance in the development of corporate policies related to environmental items.
Maintain an awareness of advances and new techniques in the environmental management field.
Participate in the development of training courses for staff and ensure that staff maintain appropriate licenses, registration, professional memberships and certification, as required.
Investigate new methods and encourage fellow staff to keep abreast of new materials, equipment and concepts related to unit activities.
Ensure all staff remain up-to-date on all issues within their profession.
Actively promote safety with fellow employees, contractors and consultants, ensuring adequate training and the use of safe work practices.
Direct staff to conduct pre-job safety meetings with all contractors and consultants so as to ensure safety requirements, legislation and potential hazards to the extent of the Company responsibility.
Direct staff to ensure that all accidents are appropriately documented and measures are taken to prevent recurrences.
Promote and supervise vehicle safety and driver awareness programs for staff.
Provide limited supervision by organizing, scheduling and checking the work of employees delegated to assist in specific work programs.
Perform other duties as required.