EPCOR Careers

Highlights of the job

EPCOR Water Services (EWS) has a permanent full-time opportunity for a Senior Advisor, Environment (Biologist) to join the Wastewater Collection Operations team working out of the Aurum site in Edmonton, AB.

We are accepting applications from both current EPCOR employees and External candidates at this time. EPCOR Employees please ensure you are using your “@epcor.com” email address.

In the Senior Advisor, Environment role you will be accountable for providing operational and project planning guidance and support, including incident reporting and management, leading incident investigations, wildlife sweeps and other environmental assessments and recommending mitigations, regulatory permit applications and providing compliance and other regulatory support for emergent issues in EPCOR Water Services. The Environmental Senior Advisor is also responsible for delivering on accountabilities related to management of and in alignment with the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System and achieving the required outcomes with time spans of up to two (2) years.

What you’d be responsible for

You are accountable to Manager, Operational Environmental Support and will have the following key accountabilities (but are not limited to these):

• Providing environmental management support to EWS, including, building and maintaining relationships with varied stakeholders at various operational areas and business groups including Operations, Planning, Construction Services and Project Management.
  • There is significant environmental risk associated with the BU activities and this resource is required to collaborate with the large employee base to manage a complicated environmental risk profile.
• Managing environment and public health incidents.
  • This includes validating incidents (classification, risk ranking), working with incident owners to include all necessary information, reviewing regulatory follow up letters, monthly reporting, coordinating monthly reviews, reporting stats to corporate and operational excellence, and participating in audits.
• Leading or participating in environmental incident investigations.
  • This includes confidential interviews of union, non-union, and management staff, documentation of evidence, writing a summary report of the incident, and possible presentation to management.
• Reviewing and communicating changes to regulations, industry best practices and EPCOR's performance for the continual improvement of EPCOR's policy, programs and systems. Recommending, revising and implementing any changes to EPCOR's environmental policies, procedures and processes as required.
• Providing environmental and regulatory review, guidance and support including regulatory permit applications to various projects teams within EWS.
• Ensuring capital and operations projects have considered environmental compliance obligations, aspects and impacts during project delivery and operations.
  • Supporting projects with development or review of Erosion Sedimentation Control Plans, wildlife sweeps and inspections, wetland assessments, Environmental Monitoring Programs, site audits, etc.
• Subject Matter Expert with corresponding input in procedure development, monitoring and measurement and feedback to projects with environmental impact.
  • This includes pre-construction, construction and post-construction activities related to contractor management for construction projects and operational activity. Stakeholder focus with prioritization of value addition to areas and teams within the business unit, external teams and customers.
• Engaging with external interested parties (e.g. Alberta Environment, City of Edmonton, Environment Canada), following Public & Government Affair guidelines, with the goal of establishing strong business relationships while achieving requirements and initiatives. 
• Electronic record maintenance within EPCOR’s SharePoint resources.
• Contractor management for environmental projects – operational and capital – including performance management measurement, accounting functions, developing selection criteria, in-field inspection, review of deliverables and other project management functions.

What’s required to be successful

Qualifications, experience and behaviours you possess are:

• Completion of Degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Management (or related) from a recognized post-secondary educational institute.
  • B.Sc.. B.A. Sc. or equivalent
• Membership with a regulated professional body such as; P. Biol, P.Ag.,P.T.Ag.
• Experience that includes:
  • Five (5) or more years with a focus on:
    • Biophysical assessment and surveys such as, wildlife, wetland, watercourse, vegetation.
    • Environmental construction monitoring.
    • Environmental planning and project execution.
  • Wildlife surveys and monitoring (i.e. nest and wildlife sweeps, amphibian surveys and salvage, wildlife handling, etc.); wetland and watercourse assessment (i.e., classification and delineation); biophysical assessment and surveys (e.g. vegetation, rare plants), etc.
  • Environmental planning, permitting, approvals and regulatory notifications for various levels of government (i.e. wetland assessment and impact report writing, code of practice notification submission, Fisheries and Oceans Canada request for review).
• Experience in or in-depth understanding of wastewater collection system operations, with demonstrated understanding of regulatory requirements, monitoring techniques, and guidelines for discharges to water courses in a Canadian jurisdiction.
• Comprehensive understanding of applicable municipal, provincial and federal environmental legislation, regulations, codes, bylaws and guidance documents, specifically: Wildlife Act, Migratory Birds Convention Act, Water Act, Alberta Wetland Policy, City of Edmonton River Valley Bylaw, City of Edmonton Public Tree Bylaw, etc.
• Proven ability to anticipate, assess and readily adapt to changing priorities, maintain resilience in times of uncertainty and effectively work and lead in a changing environment. This includes an ability to prioritize tasks, properly manage time and possession of strong organizational skills.
• Demonstrated understanding of best practices including tree protection, water management, erosion and sediment control, soil handling, etc., through your experience in environmental construction monitoring.
• Sound knowledge of environmental management principles including environmental releases, field monitoring, data interpretation, environmental aspects/impacts assessment.
• Ability to anticipate, assess and readily adapt to changing priorities, maintain resilience in times of uncertainty and effectively work and lead in a changing environment. This includes an ability to prioritize tasks, properly manage time and possession of strong organizational skills.

• Valid Class 5 Alberta Motor Vehicle Operators License.
  • Ability to qualify for and maintain an EPCOR driver's permit
  • A Driver Abstract (5yr. Commercial type) may be required
  • Limited to 6 demerits or less.

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

• Previous construction experience.
• Knowledge of or ISO 14001.
• Project and change management experience.

As our best candidate, the qualifications (skills and behaviours) listed above are supplemented with your demonstrated understanding of best practices including tree protection, water management, erosion and sediment control, soil handling, etc., that you have gained through your experience in environmental construction monitoring. You have exemplary interpersonal skills (written and verbal) in dealing with customers, senior management, regulatory agencies, technical/professional staff and other stakeholders.

Health and safety are integral to EPCOR’s work and we strive to maintain a zero-injury organizational culture. As such, all candidates must possess a high level of safety awareness and demonstrate safe work practices at all times. Candidates will also be required to actively participate in safety and other job-related training.

Other important facts about this job

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

The successful candidate must provide their own vehicles with appropriate insurance in accordance with EPCOR’s Employee Mileage Reimbursement Policy. You will be reimbursed in accordance with EPCOR’s Employee Mileage Reimbursement Policy.

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.