Environmental Specialist - Longueuil, QC, Canada - Innergex

Description

Why should you join our team?

Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. is an independent renewable energy producer with an extensive and growing portfolio of assets in Canada, the United States, France and Chile. The Corporation develops, acquires, owns and operates hydroelectric facilities, wind farms, solar farms and energy storage facilities.

For more than 30 years, Innergex has believed in a world where abundant renewable energy promotes healthier communities and creates shared prosperity. We are convinced that generating power from renewable sources will lead the way to a better world. We remain committed to responsible growth that balances people, our planet, and prosperity. We believe in offering an engaging, inclusive and supportive work environment where each team member can thrive.

Your contribution

Reporting to the Senior Director - Environment, the Specialist Environment manages environmental activities for the companys renewable energy projects in development, construction, and operation, located mainly in Eastern Canada. In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring that our renewable energy projects are environmentally sustainable and compliant with all relevant regulations and standards.

Your day-to-day

Working closely with development, construction and operation managers, Innergexs in-house technical departments, and other stakeholders, you will ensure that our projects meet our sustainability goals while maintaining high levels of efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

With an advanced/demonstrated understanding of environmental permitting and approvals, agency standards, and technical elements required to meet critical regulatory obligations, your main tasks will include the following:

• Research and analyze local, provincial, and federal environmental acts, land use regulations, policies, and zoning laws, staying up to date on emerging trends and best management practices, and leverage the teams experience and knowledge to support decision making related to environmental sustainability and renewable energy projects.
• Manage specialist environmental consultants to undertake studies and permitting processes to ensure they are completed on schedule and within budget constraints.
• Critically review reports to ensure they meet objectives and provide report summaries and highlight issues / develop solutions in a timely manner; and prepare and implement strategic permitting plans and negotiations with agencies.
• Responsible for direct relationships with key representatives of local, provincial, and federal regulatory agencies pertinent to Innergexs projects in development, construction, and operations, and manage these relationships strategically with a view for long-term trust and health.
• Prepare, submit, and secure environmental impact assessment and major permit applications, with support of specialist consultants, to regulatory agencies, including local, provincial, and federal agencies, and ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
• Though not a primary responsibility, the Specialist will, from time to time, work with Indigenous groups and local communities associated with Innergex projects, regarding support for permit applications, field studies, tours or site visits, and public open houses to address environmental concerns and build community support for renewable energy projects.
• Manage onsite environmental compliance and monitoring of construction and operating projects in Eastern Canada as dictated in key permits, approvals and documentation, including:

--- Responding to and reporting on incidents and non-compliance events;

--- Executing pre-construction surveys and operational monitoring programs (e.g. acoustic, aquatic, avian, terrestrial, vegetation);

--- Ongoing management of our habitat enhancement/compensation programs;

--- Liaising with civil contractors on environmental matters and reviewing their work plans to ensure environmental mitigation measures/ commitments are achieved;

--- Providing ongoing support for Operations staff (plant-level and managers) for questions/strategic advice regarding general environmental compliance;

--- Brainstorming to identify opportunities to improve approach or methods then action the appropriate deliverable (e.g. permit amendment or develop a standard or mitigation plan);

--- Leading the preparation of documentation to be submitted to regulatory agencies, including data review and analysis, work plans, mitigation plans, compliance reports, permit applications, and monitoring studies; and

--- Tracking and closing out permit and approval commitments using INNSite & INNVision (Innergex's commitment tracking tool and database).

• Manage the development, improvement, and implementation of the environmental aspects of Innergexs Environmental Manual and ESG/Sustainability Initiatives including assistance with the development of internal environmental policies, procedures and standards, and staff training materials.
• Deliver environmental training to internal and external parties for projects in construction and operations.
• Actively participate in industry association technical working groups to stay informed and assess risk factors of new developments in renewable energy technologies, land use regulations, and environmental standards, and integrate this knowledge into project planning and implementation.
• Mentoring and supporting, formally and informally, of in-house environmental professionals in the development, construction and operation of projects.
• Participate in or manage other tasks and special projects to support sound environmental management of Innergexs portfolio of renewable energy projects as required.

Your skills, our requirements

• Undergraduate or Masters degree, preferably in environmental studies, science or related natural resource management program (experience with field work valuable + eligible for professional designation an asset).
• 5-7 years of relevant work experience with environmental, permitting and discipline management in the resource sector required (renewable energy an asset).
• A drivers license in good standing is required as well as experience with driving 4-wheel-drive vehicles is an asset.
• Strong knowledge of environmental and land use act, rules, and regulations relevant to renewable energy projects / natural resource sector.
• Strong research, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify and mitigate potential environmental impacts of renewable energy projects.
• Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team, with a strong commitment to collaboration, openly shares key information with others and contribute to decisions.
• Project management experience, including managing specialist consultants, budgets, timelines, and resources.
• Bilingualism (French and English, both spoken and written) is required to ensure collaboration with various stakeholders outside Quebec on a recurring basis.
• Experience working with and managing specialist consultants is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate environmental impact assessment and major discretionary permit approval processes.
• Experience developing and implementing environmental management plans and mitigation measures.

Additional considerations

• The position will be based in the company's Longueuil (Quebec) headquarters.
• This position is a P3 level.

Our benefits

• Competitive salary and annual bonus;
• Three weeks vacation to start and paid vacations during the holiday season;
• 100% Innergex-funded medical insurance from day one of employment, including primary care services through dialogue (or telemedicine) for permanent positions;
• Group retirement and stock purchase plans with employer participation;
• Electric vehicle (E-VIP) incentive program;
• Hybrid work model;
• Career development opportunities;
• Offices accessible by public transportation.

Innergex is an equal opportunity employer that values each persons unique background, diversity, experiences, perspectives and talents. Innergex is committed to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment and bases all employment decisions on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications. The key to our success as a global company is to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.

Please note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted