EPCOR Careers

Highlights of the job

EPCOR’s Water Services (EWS) group has a permanent full-time opportunity for a Project Manager to join the Project Management (PM) team working out of the Gold Bar Wastewater Plant site in Edmonton, AB.

We are accepting applications from both current EPCOR employees and External candidates at this time. 

In the Project Manager role you will be accountable for managing the delivery of multiple medium to large size capital projects and programs of predominantly complex levels, from inception through execution and handover to Operations, applying sound engineering and project management principles and practices, leadership and interpersonal skills and by acquiring external and internal resources. This includes ensuring accurate and timely delivery of project plans, liaising with impacted stakeholders, managing the quality of works implemented, obtaining accurate cost estimates, adhering to approved budgets, managing safety and environmental aspects, scheduling of all design and construction project activities and achieving the required outcomes with typical time spans of two (or more) years.

What you’d be responsible for

You are accountable to the Senior Manager Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Projects and will have the following key accountabilities (but are not limited to these):

Planning 

• Participating in the development of Project Management Operational plan and the identification of objectives and priorities for the upcoming year.
• Identifying the necessary budget, resources and staff required to deliver the annual Project Management Operational plan for the delivery of quality capital projects safely, on time, on scope and on budget.
• Providing inputs for long term planning, PBR submission planning, asset management planning, engineering assessments and annual budgeting.

Execution

• Executing the objectives and priorities of the annual Project Management Operational plan.
• Removing roadblocks and addressing issues related to ensure annual targets can be met.
• Being flexible and adapting to shifts in priorities if/when they arise.
• Ensuring work is completed safely and efficiently.

Relationships

• Collaborating cross functionally to resolve issues.
• Consulting with customers and stakeholders to create understanding and resolve issues or concerns.

Collaboration

• Collaborating with colleagues to resolve issues or concerns.
• Providing and gathering insights and expertise to support decision-making.

Delivery Strategy

• Ensuring an appropriate understanding of the Water Services strategy throughout the Project Management team.
• Ensuring deliverables of direct report positions are aligned and integrated with the Project Management strategy, stratum appropriate and include performance goals.
• Ensuring appropriate relationships between Project Management and the rest of Water Services and EPCOR as well as external stakeholders. 
• Developing the procurement strategy for the delivery of projects that is aligned with the Water Services’ strategic plan.
• Ensuring the delivery strategy considers risk, stakeholders and the broader business and regulatory environment.

Delivery

• Using best practices in project management and project execution strategies to manage the delivery of capital projects for EPCOR infrastructure.
• Safely delivering projects and programs on time, on scope and on budget with set quality standard. 
• Considering operational and public impacts, risks, integration opportunities with other projects and aligning with established priorities developed in the business unit and across EPCOR.
• Managing a diverse project team to achieve project objectives. The project team may include external (consultants, construction contractors) and internal (design engineers & technologists, construction managers, surveyors, inspectors and construction supervisors) resources.
• Monitoring and controlling the delivery of capital projects against appropriate performance metrics. Regularly monitoring, measuring and reporting metrics. Making timely adjustments using sound project management principles to ensure overall targets are achieved or exceeded. Responsible to effectively setup and manage multiple projects from inception to completion.
• Working with SCM stakeholders to implement procurement strategy and perform procurement activities in alignment with EPCORs policies, procedures and values. These include preparing request for proposal / qualification documents, preparing construction tenders / contract documents, evaluating proposals and bids and recommending award.
• Identifying the necessary budget requirements for implementation of projects including engineering design and construction.
• Assisting with the development, implementation and reviewing of project management processes and improvements to ensure compliance to policies, standards and regulatory requirements, mitigation of risks and continuous improvement.
• Executing project activities. These include administering contract for consultants and contractors, providing and coordinating input for design and construction from stakeholders, assessing and processing progress claims, chairing project meetings and completing project close outs. Ensuring safety and environmental aspects are integrated in design and construction. Conducting periodic site visits and performing site safety audits / inspections / observations, resolving issues and developing key decisions by applying technical knowledge, negotiating skills and project management principles; reviewing and accepting project deliverables and ensuring that risks are addressed from an overall corporate perspective.
• Collaborating with Project Management Office for capital portfolio (Estimating, Forecasting, Scheduling, Risk Management, processes and procedures, etc.).
• Evaluating and assessing contractor’s ability to assume Prime Contractor responsibilities for a project and assigning Prime and release Prime if necessary. Ensuring all Prime Contractor responsibilities are met if EPCOR is to retain Prime.
• Ensuring EPCOR contractor management and HSE policies and procedures are communicated, monitored, executed and supported through the planning and execution of work.
• Assisting with development and execution of communication plans as required to manage relationships with customers and other stakeholders. This can include newsletters to neighbours, assisting at open houses, attending community workshops and meetings and participating in engagement activities with community groups, members of the public, institutions, government bodies and Indigenous communities.

Risk Management

• Adhering to Integrated Management Systems where applicable and assisting with necessary audits and other improvements as required.
• Engaging key stakeholders, which include other areas of Water Services (including Planning, Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, PCA, Project Management Office, Public and Government Affairs (P&GA) and Supply Chain), other Business Units, contractors, consultants, suppliers, vendors, utility companies, regulatory agencies, private sector entities and the public.
• Managing the performance and development of direct reports as required to ensure a high-functioning team.

What’s required to be successful

Qualifications, experience and behaviours you possess are:

• Completion of an Engineering Degree or Diploma in Technology from a recognized post-secondary educational institute.
  • Alternatively Professional Licensee (P.L.) designation with related experience may be considered.
• A Professional Designation:
  • Certified Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with APEGA or,
  • C.E.T. designation with ASET.

Experience that includes:

• 8 years progressively responsible experience in engineering design and construction project management for individuals holding a P.Eng.
• 10 years if you are a C.E.T.
• Managing multiple medium to large sized, complex water and wastewater infrastructure projects with a leadership and decision-making capacity, overseeing project teams with minimal supervision and guidance.

Knowledge and Skills that include:

• Managing and delivering projects.
• Engineering design and construction of water and wastewater treatment, distribution, transmission and collection systems.
• Best practices in project management and delivery processes at all project phases from initiation to close-out.
• Project controls and document management tools and processes.

Proven ability to:

• Analyze complex technical information and make timely, well-rationalized decisions
• Deliver results, plan and organize work and people, develop and meet schedule, develop budgets and meet quality requirements.
• Learn and use software and technology as required, to effectively deliver projects and complete necessary reporting.
• Develop longer term (5 year) plans that are followed by the company through planning of capital projects (e.g. structural integrity and critical asset management).
• Apply strong interpersonal and communication skills, and leverage networks to influence, persuade, negotiate, and facilitate discussions to make decisions, align interests, build relationships and resolve issues.

Additionally, these are valuable assets for the successful candidate to have:

• Project Management Professional (PMP) designation.
• Financial and management-related education.

As our best candidate, the qualifications (skills and behaviours) listed above are supplemented with exceptional planning, communication and organizational skills to manage project delivery, financial and human resources to achieve deliverables. You demonstrate excellent time management and work prioritization skills and know the status of work and budgets making adjustments regularly and as required.

As the successful candidate, you are one who continuously seeks opportunities to enhance personal effectiveness in both the technical and project management functions, operational understanding and keeping up with the progress in the industry and related technology. You are willing to adhere to EPCOR’s standard processes and to contribute to improving them, while demonstrating a strong commitment to safety.

Other important facts about this job

This is a professional level position that typically works Monday to Friday (40 hours per week)

Learn more about Working at EPCOR!

Follow us on LinkedIn, X, Glassdoor or Facebook!

Please note the following information:

• A requirement of working for EPCOR is that you are at least 18 years of age, successfully attained a high school diploma (GED, or equivalent level of secondary education) and legally entitled to work in Canada. (A copy of a valid work permit may be required.)
• If you are considered for the position, clearance on all applicable background checks (which may include criminal, identity, educational, and/or credit) and professional reference checks is required. Some EPCOR positions require an enhanced level of background assessment, which is dictated by law. These positions require advanced criminal record checks that must also be conducted from time to time after commencement of employment.
• A technical/practical assessment may be administered during the selection process and this exercise will be used as a part of the selection criterion.
• To meet the physical demands required of some positions, candidates must be in good physical condition and willing to work in all weather conditions. Clearance on pre-placement medical and drug and alcohol testing may be required.
• Prior infractions for unsafe driving behaviours will be evaluated and considered for non-selection regardless of current demerits on file.