Lead Environmental Planner

[[id]] - [[filter4]] Hiring salary range: [[salaryMin]] - 5,508.40 / Bi-weekly Hydro One is proud to be the largest electricity transmission and distribution provider in Ontario, serving nearly 1.5 million customers. We have a long history in the industry with our roots dating back over 110 years to 1906. Since then, we have worked to grow and evolve to meet the changing needs of our customers and communities across Ontario. Today, we’re focused on providing exceptional customer service and ensuring we are building safe communities where we live, work and play. It’s an exciting time to join the team at Hydro One! The role will be reporting out of either Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, or Toronto Reporting to the Manager, Environmental Services (Strategic Projects – North), this environmental planner role will provide environmental services for major transmission infrastructure projects, with primary responsibility for managing Class Environmental Assessment (EA) requirements for Strategic Projects in Northeastern Ontario. Successful candidates must demonstrate a knowledge and experience in successfully leading the delivery of large/complex environmental assessments for infrastructure projects, including undertaking environmental studies, tendering and monitoring environmental consultant contracts and budgets, coordinating approvals, permits and agreements with external parties and collaborating with internal/external teams to ensure continued regulatory compliance and delivery of project commitments. Candidates must have a four-year university degree or equivalent in environmental studies, biology, planning or a related field. Job Function: Administer the provision of environmental services related to the development of new or the upgrade of existing transmission/distribution lines or stations and miscellaneous projects. Prepare plans, drawings and specifications, etc, to carry out related work programs. Prepare and monitor the project budgets and related activities. Direct contract administration. Liaise and negotiate with government agencies, public groups and property owners to acquire agreements and approvals. Liaise with other internal groups to ensure acceptable products and commitments. Job Description: 1.Direct the preparation of plans, estimates, drawings andspecifications to assist project development, including right-of-way development plans, environmental work, access route layout, the design of mitigation to address complaints, updating of plans to reflect field conditions, etc, from the initial planning phase of projects until the project is commissioned and all restoration is complete. Prepare estimates for all environmental work associated with transmission or distribution line planning, construction or upgrading projects, and new or upgrading of existing transmission or distribution stations, for inclusion in the project. Ensure related expenditures are monitored and reviews of variance or change notices are prepared as required. Direct the development and review of project schedules to ensure the proper sequence of activities necessary to meet deadlines. 2. Prepare an annual unit staffing plan for inclusion in the section and departmental business plan and budget. Monitor projects and work programs on a monthly basis to achieve budget objectives. Prepare estimates related to environment activities within the unit. 3. Initiate and direct the administration of contracts for materials and services for environmental work programs. Prepare or direct the preparation of contract documents. Initiate and direct tender invitation, contractor meetings, evaluation of tenders and preparation of recommendations for award. Ensure work is carried out according to corporate policies and that contracts are managed in accordance with corporate purchasing policies. Maintain lists of qualified contractors and consultants for particular activities and functions. Encourage and direct the training and development of contractors in right-of-way development programs. Initiate, direct and monitor the work of contractors, taking corrective action where substandard performance arises. Ensure work is appropriately administered and assessed as to compliance with safety, schedules, specifications and in accordance with pertinent legislation. Where union labour is involved, ensure that work is done to the extent of the Company's responsibilities in accordance with the collective agreement between the Electrical Power System Construction Association (EPSCA) and the Allied Trades Council. 4. Liaise with government agencies, public groups and individual property owners to gather information, review plans and practices, gain approvals and make commitments as necessary. Participate in negotiations to resolve conflicts and make commitments on behalf of the Company involving forestry and environmental practices and issues. Develop alternative approaches to resolve problems. Liaise with other LoB staff as required to achieve work programs, provide services, gather information, review commitments and practices, etc. related to forestry and environmental issues. Direct an environmental monitoring program for internal and external review. Conduct site tours or inspections with government agency staff, as required. 5. Direct special studies and research projects related to environmental issues such as natural environment assessments, visual assessments, agricultural capability, soils compaction, heritage resources, Environmental Site Assessments, inventory and assessment of wells, etc. Ensure that staff cooperate and participate in related research projects. Prepare estimates for studies, monitor costs and progress. 6.Be responsible for work programs including the preparation of appropriate specifications and contract documents, monitoring systems, property owners and government agency contacts, statistics, inspections, etc. for various projects such as: direct the implementation of selective clearing programs and the preparation of specifications and contract documents; direct the implementation of environmental monitoring programs during the construction phase of any project; provide guidance in the development of solutions and preventative work measures, and mitigation to address technical problems encountered; direct the preparation and implementation of landscaping and screening programs as required for HV rights-of-way; direct the evaluation of wood products on rights-of-way to provide information to real estate staff for property settlements. Direct the calculation of business losses for forestry related business such as maple sugar production. Direct the calculation of compensation for such items as loss of shade for cattle, crown dues, evaluation of residential landscaping, plantations, etc; direct the implementation of revegetation programs and the preparation of specifications and contract documents. Direct the preparation of annual statistics on revegetation and planting programs; direct the implementation of grubbing programs, the preparation of specifications and contract documents; direct the preparation of specifications for restoration of project sites to ensure that commitments are met and to identify outstanding deficiencies; direct the commissioning inspection of vegetation clearances, landscape and final restoration to certify that specifications have been met and to ensure a smooth transition of activities from construction to maintenance stages. Participate as a member of the project commissioning team; direct the compilation of information and the preparation of documents. This includes the Environmental Study Report, stormwater management plans, documentation of environmental commitments made during construction and as a basis for future maintenance and