Environmental Performance Officer (9471188)

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Internal / External

COMPETITION # 09-221U

ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OFFICER

Sustainable Evnironment Management Office

INFRASTRUCTURE & ASSET MANAGEMENT

SUMMARY

The Environmental Performance Officer, under the direction of the Manager, SEMO, is a senior professional subject matter expert in a broad range of environmental matters. The Environmental Performance Officer (EPO) is accountable for providing expert and professional judgement on matters that could have serious long and short term implications on the environmental sustainability of the Region. In this capacity the EPO is responsible for the study, planning, development, and execution of environmental monitoring and measurement projects related to HRM’s integrated approach to clean air, land, water and energy. The Environmental Performance Officer may also be involved with the coordination of technical and science support staff involved in these activities, including external consultants, experts and others.

The EPO also plays a critical role in building awareness and precipitating action with regard to environmental sustainability matters both within the HRM organization and in the community at large. This includes building and maintaining relationships with: members of the public, HRM staff in other business units, external interest groups, other agencies and levels of government, and Halifax Regional Council. As a member of the SEMO team, the EPO contributes to the efficient, accurate, professional and coordinated delivery of environmental services.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical

* Conducts environmental sampling field work to do with land, air and water within HRM, including equipment maintenance, vehicle operation, sample collection and delivery, liaison with analytical labs, data management and tracking of results, and interpretation of results;

* Undertakes research, investigates and communicates with others on environmental performance of the Municipality and makes effective recommendation to SEMO Manager to assist in formulation of corporate position on environmental issues;

* Maintains complex data bases related to environmental performance measurement

* Initiates, implements, coordinates and administers environmental performance and related measurements and data for the corporate environmental sustainability reporting system and related efforts;

* Undertakes research, investigates and communicates with others on the assessment and quantification of the effectiveness of HRM’s environmental initiatives;

* Liases with other business units and external agencies, developers, consultants, groups and departments in the compiling, conversion and analysis of land, air and water quality or other environmental data from a variety of sources and formats, and maintains data bases and data links to GIS;

* Writes and prepares reports, presentations, and background material for Council or other public forums;

* Formulates departmental positions on environmental issues;

* Contributes to establishing corporate positions on a variety of environmental initiatives originating outside of the organization

Outreach/Education

* Builds positive public and private sector relationships and partnerships;

* Facilitates teams and stakeholder groups to achieve positive outcomes;

* Represents SEMO in various public forums;

* Facilitates public and Council buy-in to SEMO initiatives;

* Facilitates the Corporate Sustainability Transition Team;

* Collects, prepares, writes, organizes public education and awareness information with respect to clean air, land and water and environmental performance measuring and reporting;

* Maintains and updates on-line public sustainable environment information;

* Liases and communicates with environment-related stakeholders and groups, HRM Boards, Community Councils and Regional Council;

* Assists in the preparation of Regional Council Reports and other public documents;

* Assists, provides technical and administrative support in a number of corporate environmental strategies and initiatives such as:

- Regional Municipal Planning Strategy (Regional Plan)

- Integrated Community Sustainability Plans (ICSPs)

- Environmental Sustainability

- Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, etc.

Project work

* Coordinates and administers the activities of consultants, contractors;

* Coordinates with technical support staff, ie. GIS mapping technicians and summer staff;

* Assists with the preparation of proposals, tender documents, reports, price agreements for related clean air, land and water services;

* Liases with other business units and external agencies, groups and departments in the collection, compilation and reporting of data for the sustainability reporting system;

Business Planning

* Provides advice on the long and short term SEMO priorities ;

* Provides strategic direction toward ensuring that environmental services provided by SEMO are aligned with Council Focus Areas, EMT Priorities, and SEMO business plan;

* Identifies and advances opportunities to improve understanding and awareness of environmental issues with other HRM departments, Council and members of the public.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

* Post secondary degree in environmental science, environmental engineering or a suitable combination of training and experience in municipal (or equivalent) operations;

* A minimum of 4 years experience in directly related environmental science and/or environmental engineering;

* Proficient with computers with strong working knowledge of word processing, spread sheets, data bases, Hansen, GIS applications and environmental performance measuring and reporting;

* Financial analysis skills are a plus;

* Must possess a valid Nova Scotia driver’s licence and be prepared to use personal vehicle for HRM business; may be required to possess or obtain a Canadian Pleasure Craft Operator Card. For safety reasons, ability to swim and an adequate level of physical fitness are required for field work with boats.

Knowledge:

* Knowledge of environmental sustainability and environmental performance measuring;

* Knowledge of provincial and federal environmental regulations and acts;

* Knowledge of municipal acts, by-laws, policies and procedures;

* Knowledge of CCME environmental quality guidelines;

* Knowledge of environmental quality sampling methods and equipment, data analysis and interpretation;

* Knowledge of environmental science mitigation, best management practices for environmental protection;

* Knowledge of pollution prevention methods.

Competencies:

Communication, Customer Service, Developing Others, Teamwork and Cooperation, Decision Making, Flexibility, Initiative, Innovation, Valuing Diversity

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