Division Manager, WWTP

Position Status: Full-Time Regular
Department: Liquid Waste Services
Employee Group: Exempt
Location: 4730 Kingsway, Burnaby


Description:
Our Liquid Waste Services Department is seeking a Division Manager, WWTP who will lead a group of highly skilled staff in the operation of Metro Vancouver’s Regional wastewater treatment system. The Wastewater Treatment system at Metro Vancouver is undergoing many capital expansions in the coming years that bring unprecedented opportunity to the utility and make this position very attractive to an enthusiastic wastewater professional who wants to work in a world class utility/organization.


You are: A motivated leader who enjoys working with a highly skilled multi-disciplined operations team in a dynamic environment. You are results oriented, innovative, enjoy working in positive collaborative environment, and want to join an outstanding operations team that operate the wastewater treatment services for Metro Vancouver’s liquid waste system.

The Division Manager, WWTP reports to the Director, O&M, Liquid Waste Services and falls within our Management/Leadership 4A job family.


This role:

  • Leads division responsible for the operation of Metro Vancouver’s five wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Provides strategic direction for plant operations, centralized automation control, process, engineering and safety management and is responsible for ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the organization’s WWTP facilities on an ongoing basis.
  • Accountable for the Division’s budget preparation and reporting and ensures the appropriate allocation of resources within the approved budget. Monitors and controls spending ensuring the effective and efficient expenditure of allocated funds. Contributes to the preparation of long range financial plans; develops and implements strategic initiatives; and guides staff on cost control.
  • Ensures Metro Vancouver’s WWTPs meet regulatory requirements on an ongoing basis and works collaboratively to optimize plant performance and mitigate potential issues. Identifies practices and technologies and works collaboratively to evaluate suitability and implement strategies to improve operating performance.
  • Reviews and approves operational plans, oversees operations and makes critical decisions for various operating conditions and emergencies. Evaluates unusual circumstances and emergency situations; notifies relevant parties; makes decisions to escalate issues; and seeks additional resources as required.
  • Liaises with regulatory agencies and member municipalities and directs internal and external resources to work on environmental issues. Consults with regulatory agencies, member municipalities and legal counsel and is accountable for managing follow up on regulatory investigations and remedial measures.
  • Represents the division in long-range planning, plant upgrades, opportunity projects and sustainability initiatives. Ensures operational requirements are incorporated in the designs for new facilities and directs commissioning and take-over processes for new systems.
  • Provides updates and information to senior managers and political committees and prepares and presents a range of material for diverse audiences including reports, technical memos and presentations.
  • Hires, supervises, directs and motivates staff and monitors performance towards corporate objectives.
  • Ensures staff adhere to corporate and board policies and work within existing policies and procedures.
  • Develops new systems and procedures for divisional activities and ensures contingencies are in place for the ongoing provision of essential wastewater treatment services.
  • Leads, coaches, mentors and develops staff recognizing the importance of leadership, supervisory and technical training; develops and sustains a flexible workforce encouraging staff to pursue opportunities that complement their skills and experience.
  • Leads the implementation of strategic initiatives and ensures the division’s activities are consistent with the organization’s values and goals. Provides leadership to address various emergency situations; coordinates staff and makes decisions about how to best move forward. Liaises with other divisions, departments and external parties such as Environment Canada, the Ministry of Environment, municipalities, the media and the public on various issues affecting the division’s work. Makes recommendations related to the Integrated Liquid Waste & Resources Management Plan and regulatory matters.
  • Provides advice and guidance on approach and problem situations to others within Metro Vancouver and on behalf of the organization to contacts external to the organization; represents the organization to the media, elected officials, and the public as required.
  • Performs other related duties as required.

To be successful, you have:

  • University degree in engineering or science in a relevant discipline such as biology or the environment and 10 years of recent, related progressive experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
  • Formal professional or technical designation in appropriate area of expertise is an asset.
  • Extensive technical expertise related to the operations, centralized automation control, process, engineering and safety considerations for WWIP facilities such as Metro Vancouver’s. Superior understanding of the regulatory requirements affecting the operation of Metro Vancouver’s WWTP infrastructure such as Provincial and Federal effluent discharge requirements. Demonstrated ability to provide leadership for addressing and resolving unusual operating conditions and emergencies.
  • Excellent budgeting and financial management skills. Demonstrated ability to manage and monitor budgets, meet financial objectives and ensure the effective and efficient expenditure of allocated funds. Excellent contract administration and project management skills including the ability to resolve complex issues.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills including sound report writing and presentation skills.
  • Persuasively communicates complex information to diverse audiences and upholds the reputation of the organization in communications with external agencies, the media, elected officials, and the public.
  • Ability to build and maintain respectful working relationships; skill in dealing openly and tactfully in a variety of situations. Proven ability to use judgment to resolve complex challenges; flexible and able to develop and revise strategies to address problems and changing circumstances. Demonstrates persistence in overcoming obstacles and considers the diverse and long term implications of decisions beyond the work at hand.
  • Contributes to the team with constructive ideas and experiences; effectively deals with disagreements to prevent escalation of conflict; seeks to include team members in decisions that will impact them. Ability to make complex and sometimes controversial decisions and effectively administer work through unforeseen conditions. Strong organizational and time management skills.
  • Ability to lead, supervise, coach and guide others while enhancing individual and team effectiveness. Ability to mentor and foster the development of direct reports and provide leadership to a number of ‘support but does not report’ working relationships. Sound understanding of and ability to apply labour and employee relations principles and practices including applicable collective agreements.
  • Proficiency using Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, Outlook and Project.

 

Our Vision:
Metro Vancouver seeks to achieve what humanity aspires to on a global basis – the highest quality of life embracing cultural vitality, economic prosperity, social justice and compassion, all nurtured in and by a beautiful and healthy natural environment.
Please follow this link http://www.metrovancouver.org/about/careers/ to our Careers page where you can submit your application by May 17, 2019.