Position Number Community Division/Region

Transcription

1 IDENTIFICATION Department Position Title Infrastructure Environmental Analyst Position Number Community Division/Region Yellowknife Design and Technical Services/HQ PURPOSE OF THE POSITION The Environmental Analyst contributes to the delivery of the Department's mission to provide for the accessible and reliable movement of people and goods to serve the social, economic and political needs of northerners by providing environmental expertise for transportationrelated activities. SCOPE The Environmental Analyst is located in Yellowknife and reports to the Manager, Environmental Affairs. The Analyst represents the interests of the Department where projects, policies, guidelines and agreements are being developed that affect the department including the review of projects or programs related to environmental assessment, regulatory processes and land use planning. The Environmental Analyst ensures that the department's operation and maintenance activities, construction projects, and policy and processes are developed in a manner consistent with federal and territorial legislation, Government of Northwest Territories (GNWT) strategic policy and plans, land use plans, Aboriginal land claims and other Agreements, and broader environmental initiatives such as environmental monitoring programs, environmental remediation and transportation best practices. The position works with other divisions of the Department, territorial and federal government colleagues, the public including communities and third parties. The incumbent exchanges information and expertise, collaborates with others, participates in task teams and supervises the Environmental Analyst Intern and Summer Students. The Analyst is responsible for project management of environmental projects including site remediation and Environmental January 4, 2017 GNWT Job Description Page 1 of 6

2 Site Assessments (ESA) Phase I, II and III, conducts environmental monitoring, facility audit inspections, reviews and writes reports and makes recommendations to other divisions regarding operating procedures, development plans and proposals. These activities ensure that the department meets its regulatory legislative requirements that governs development in the Northwest Territories (NWT) and promotes the development of environmental awareness and principles of environmental stewardship within the Department. Failure to fulfill these duties rigorously could result in political, legal, financial and environmental consequences whose impacts could extend to the senior official level within the department. RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Develop and provide recommendations to the Manager, Environmental Affairs, departmental divisions and third parties on measures to minimize and mitigate environmental impacts of transportation related activities, including transportation development and operating procedures and third party activities that directly impact the Department. Researches, reviews, summarizes and makes available to engineers, project officers, regional staff, and third parties, environmental mitigation strategies and solutions appropriate to the NWT. Assesses current departmental design, construction and operating practices with the view towards environmental protection. Assists divisions to develop environmental design solutions and mitigation measures for development, construction and operating practices. Develops and implements environmental monitoring programs for road construction, winter roads, streams/river crossings and other infrastructure developments. Contributes to the development, management and evaluation of compensation schemes for habitat loss. Coordinates and compiles departmental responses to external land use applications to determine if the proposed land use impacts on the present or future activities or assets of the department. Acts as a facilitator between divisions and regulatory agencies to resolve areas of concern to ensure that the department obtains and complies with necessary land use, water use, and environmental guidelines, permits and approvals. 2. Review and evaluate potential environmental and socio-economic impacts of transportation developments, proposals, operating procedures and practices, and provide environmental scoping for transportation planning. Develops guidelines and best practices or similar instruments for environmental and socio-economic impact prediction and mitigation for transportation related developments under the jurisdiction of the GNWT. Critically reviews development plans, proposals and operating procedures. Designs and conducts or manages selective field studies of environmental impacts. January 4, 2017 GNWT Job Description Page 2 of 6

3 Researches, collects, evaluates and provides environmental data, such as baseline inventories, resource reports, soil and water quality studies, etc. for consideration in planning, pre-design engineering studies, and environmental studies. Conducts environmental screening, preliminary environmental impact studies, community consultations and traditional knowledge studies. Interprets information, writes briefings and reports on environmental issues, and makes recommendations on the management of environmental impacts and potential mitigative measures. Identifies environmental issues affecting renewable resources, resource users, the land and public safety as a result of departmental operating practices and developments; Works with project and operational staff to ensure appropriate attention is paid to the environmental implications of project design and operational activities. Manages the departmental land information system by maintaining inventory of interests held by department, periodically reviews and enhances land information recording methods and takes action on land tenure requests from within the department to meet departmental requirements. 3. Provide expertise in environmental auditing, ESA (Phase I, II and III), site characterization, and site remediation. Develops and provides recommendations for environmental studies, audits, ESA and site remediation plans by researching, reviewing reports and preparing Terms of Reference and appropriate remediation plans. Provides project management for environmental studies, audits, ESA and site remediation plans including contract and consultant management, budgeting, and other stakeholder liaising. Designs, conducts or manages selective field work and monitoring studies such as performing groundwater monitoring and soil sampling to fulfill the department's regulatory requirements for soil and water quality impact monitoring. Prepares and recommends guidelines, procedures, policies and practices to enhance environmental protection. These activities also require supervision of the Environmental Analyst Intern and Summer Students, when applicable. 4. Ensure that the department's regulatory compliance requirements are met with respect to mitigating the environmental impact of transportation-related activities. Researches and interprets information on applicable environmental and land use legislation including territorial, provincial and federal legislation, acts, policies, protocols, and guidelines to advise divisions as required and to provide recommendations to management on potential environmental impacts of operations. Coordinates and/or undertakes activities and procedures for the department's regulatory permitting applications, ensuring the department's activities may proceed in an environmentally responsible manner. Provides advice or direction to requests from divisions on the interpretation of environmental and land use legislation, regulations and policy. January 4, 2017 GNWT Job Description Page 3 of 6

4 Encourages divisions to liaise directly with regulatory agencies and, when necessary, acts as a facilitator between divisions and regulatory agencies to resolve areas of concern or obstacles to improve coordination and communication between various groups to facilitate program delivery. Ensures the department obtains and complies with necessary regulatory permits and approvals, and adheres to constraints specified in other applicable regulatory instruments. These activities also require supervision of the Environmental Analyst Intern and Summer Students, where appropriate. 5. Promote environmental awareness within the department. Develops manuals, workbooks and training sessions to explain the principles and processes of environmental issues and to assist divisions to meet regulatory requirements as required. Develops or coordinates the development of training sessions to be delivered; Promotes and encourages the department to adopt environmentally responsible design, construction, operations and maintenance practices. WORKING CONDITIONS Physical Demands No unusual demands. Moderate physical exertion 1-2 days per month in winter, and approximately 10 days per month in summer when conducting water quality sampling events and facility audit inspections. Environmental Conditions No unusual demands. May occasionally be exposed to inclement weather during sampling and inspection activities. Sensory Demands The incumbent is involved in the gathering information (seeing and hearing) for an annual average of four days per month (during testing and inspections). Mental Demands The position is subject to deadlines. The incumbent will be periodically required to travel to remote sites. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Expert knowledge of environmental science, biology and/or geography, including technical experience with soil and water quality sampling protocols, and ability to assess and analyze quantitative data sources. January 4, 2017 GNWT Job Description Page 4 of 6

5 Skilled in quantitative methods such as Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing is an asset. Sound knowledge of environmental legislation and guidelines related to land use and environmental protection such as the GNWT Environmental Guidelines for Site Remediation, Canadian Environmental Protection Act, Canadian Fisheries Act, and the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) guidelines. Sound knowledge of other applicable federal and territorial legislation and guidelines of environmental legislation and guidelines as they apply to permitting and development in the NWT, such as the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act and Regulations, land regulatory regimes, and Land and Water Board processes. Specialized knowledge of typical environmental and socio-economic impacts including mitigative techniques for development-related activities. Able to research, organize and assess environmental issues, northern environmental issues including land issues and implications with settled and unsettled land claims in the Northwest Territories. Organization, verbal and written communication, and project management skills to exchange information, and liaison with a wide variety of clients within and outside government. Computer software proficiency including word processing, databases, presentation applications and electronic mail. Data entry, data analysis and verification, graphical and statistical analysis abilities. Typically, the above qualifications would be attained by: Graduate Degree in Natural Resource Management, Biology, Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Environmental Chemistry, Geography or similar relevant disciplines; and, two to five years of experience in natural resource management, legislative and policy analysis development, and project management. An equivalent combination of an undergraduate degree in the above fields along with four or more years of professional experience in natural resource management, legislative and policy analysis development, and project management will be considered. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS Must possess a valid Class 5 Driver's License. Position Security No criminal records check required Position of Trust criminal records check required Highly sensitive position requires verification of identity and a criminal records check January 4, 2017 GNWT Job Description Page 5 of 6

6 French language (check one if applicable) French required (must identify required level below) Level required for this Designated Position is: ORAL EXPRESSION AND COMPREHENSION Basic (B) Intermediate (I) Advanced (A) READING COMPREHENSION: Basic (B) Intermediate (I) Advanced (A) WRITING SKILLS: Basic (B) Intermediate (I) Advanced (A) French preferred Aboriginal language: Choose a language Required Preferred January 4, 2017 GNWT Job Description Page 6 of 6