Environmental Planner - Thunder Bay, Canada - Hydro One Networks Inc

Description

General Accountabilities

As a largely field-based resource providing environmental monitoring/inspection oversight for the Waasigan Transmission Line project , these positions will report to the Manager of Northern Region for Environmental Services - Strategic Projects.

The successful candidate will:

• Treat safety as a top priority.
• Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team supporting environmental management throughout the life-cycle of a project. This will include environmental protection plans, permitting and monitoring on new electrical infrastructure (lines and stations) projects, primarily in northern Ontario.
• D evelop and track environmental work plans, budget estimates and schedules.
• Coordinate environmental studies for infrastructure projects and maintenance programs.
• Develop contract specifications/RFP/scope of work requests, evaluate proposals, award and administer consultant contracts for environmental services, such as EAs, archaeological/heritage services, Species at Risk evaluations, Conservation Authority permits, Phase 1 and 2 Environmental Site Assessments, Designated Substances Surveys, permitting, and monitoring services.
• Identify and compare environmental constraints, alternatives, assess potential environmental effects and mitigation measures.
• Develop plans to mitigate environmental effects with an emphasis on natural heritage (including Species at Risk), groundwater, cultural heritage and soils.
• Engage with regulatory agencies, Indigenous communities, project stakeholders, and public, as well as internal groups on various aspects of environmental assessments, approvals and permitting per Hydro One policies, while contributing to options and resolutions.
• Prepare and review reports, documentation and presentation materials related to environmental assessments, approvals and permitting and monitoring reports.
• Conduct site visits, evaluation of features and issues, assess environmental effects and prepare environmental protection plans for construction.
• Review Contractor Environmental Management Plans
• Monitor environmental aspects of stations and lines capital projects in the field.
• Document, organize and file project information appropriately within existing systems including Borealis consultation software, Commitment Layer of GIS, and in TEAMS/SharePoint.
• Contribute to corrective action processes and other contract administration tasks necessary.
• Provide advice, guidance, and assistance to project and asset managers responsible for new transmission and distribution projects and refurbishment of existing facilities regarding environmental aspects, applicable legislation and guidelines, including corporate policies and procedures.
• Prepare and present technical and organizational information to internal or external groups.
• Perform other duties as required.

Selection Criteria

Essential Knowledge, Experience and Qualifications:

• Four-year university degree in environmental science, engineering, studies, planning, natural sciences or a related field.
• Knowledge and experience in environmental planning, coordinating and conducting environmental
  assessments and field planning and monitoring on linear infrastructure projects.
• Four to six years of relevant work experience in the area(s) of environmental planning (EA), natural heritage, cultural heritage/archaeology, permitting, contract management, and monitoring considered necessary to become familiar with the practical aspects of the work.
• Requires a strong understanding of natural environment features and ecosystems to allow for timely, appropriate, and compliant environmental planning and implementation of environmental mitigation plans for construction.
• Strong understanding of environmental issues and legislative requirements (Ontario Environmental Assessment Act, Ontario Environmental Protection Act, Provincial Policy Statement, Ontario Water Resources Act, Ontario Public Lands Act, municipal environmental development requirements, other environmental legislation).
• Understanding of soil and groundwater assessment, site remediation and assessment / mitigation of Designated Substances.
• Experience undertaking environmental studies in one or more of the following areas: natural heritage (including SAR), hydrology, hydrogeology, socioeconomic, archaeology, heritage, and related fields.
• Experience with environmental permits, licenses, and approvals (provincial, municipal, and federal) and associated guidelines, standards and best practices associated with environmental assessments, permitting and construction effect mitigation.
• Experience working with regulatory agencies, Indigenous communities and members of the public.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in ArcGIS or mapping software.
• Ability to tender and monitor environmental consultant contracts.
• Ability to navigate uneven terrain, walking longer distances and working outside during inclement weather may be required.
• Require overnight absences from home from time to time for site visits and meetings, and may require travel throughout Ontario (anticipated mostly within southern Ontario).
• Ability to independently travel to local or remote sites, communicate with construction or other stakeholders and evaluate situation and develop/implement mitigation plans.
• Valid Ontario driver's license.
• Strong technical writing for preparation of environmental management reports, manuals, specifications and tender documents.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with Windows software (MS Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint).
• Requires a high level of initiative, strong communication skills and interpersonal skills.
• Strong team player and good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work on multiple projects with strong organizational and time management skills.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders and prepare technical reports.
• Demonstrated ability to work under minimal supervision.
• Ability to assimilate new tasks/information quickly and apply the skills to various situations.
• Ability to understand the business implications of decisions and the ability to strive to improve organizational performance.
• Flexibility and adaptability regarding changes to the work.

Home Location and Travel Expectations

Project location will be within Northern Ontario (focus on Thunder Bay to Dryden, Ontario), however support on projects at other locations throughout Ontario may be required. You will be expected to work full-time (7 hours a day), 5 days a week (with the exception of travel required for your projects).

These positions require regular road travel throughout all seasons to project sites, sometimes requiring overnight stays.

Hydro One employees, you can apply online via the Careers module in Success Factors. To access Success Factors, click on the Talent Management link in the Applications drop-down menu on the HydroNet site. Otherwise, if you do not have Hydro One computer access, forward your application to In the event you are experiencing difficulties applying to this job please visit myHR.

Deadline: June 3, 2024

Questions about the posting should be directed to the hiring manager. If you are selected for an interview or further evaluation and require special accommodations please speak with the hiring manager.

NOTE: An Employee who is the successful applicant to a vacancy that results in a move between the Hydro One companies (Hydro One Networks, Hydro One Telecom and Hydro One Remotes) will have his/her EI and CPP deductions restarted. If as a result of the restart of these deductions the employee over contributes to EI and/or CPP, the employee will be eligible for a refund of the over contribution through their personal income tax return. For further details, please contact the HR Support Centre.