Main Purpose & Function
The Senior Sustainability Specialist – Green Infrastructure provides leadership and technical expertise to support planning and implementation of the Rain City Strategy and its goals. The Rain City Strategy reimagines and transforms how we manage rainwater with the goals of improving water quality, resilience, and livability through creating healthy urban ecosystems. Reporting to the Assistant Director of Sustainability and with the support of a Planning Assistant III, the Planner II will co-lead an ambitious workplan with strategies to implement rainwater harvest and re-use, green roofs, on site infiltration, bio-retention and detention systems in the private realm.
Specific Duties & Responsibilities
Assembles and oversees project teams and secures internal or external resources to successfully deliver the assigned projects.
Manages Rain City projects for the private realm, of medium to high complexity, including development and implementation of new policy and regulations.
Responsible for policy, technical, business case, or behavioral research and analysis; stakeholder engagement; consultant contracts; communications strategies; development of processes and/or compliance tools; and operational sustainment planning.
Builds and sustains key internal and external partner relationships ensuring their requirements are identified and addressed or negotiating compromises as required.
Consults and works closely with staff in Planning, Urban Design and Sustainability, as well as the Chief Building Official’s Office, Engineering, Supply Chain Management, building and development associations, and others to advance project objectives while addressing these key partners’ requirements. The incumbent works closely with building designers, suppliers, contractors, and consultants to understand challenges and develop solutions
Supports the Sustainability Assistant Director in optimizing Rain City program performance and development; may assume temporary team leadership when the Assistant Director is away; organizes and conducts lessons-learned sessions at project completion.
Leads and interprets results of public consultation with a wide range of industry and internal stakeholders when developing regulations.
Presents policy and regulations to industry stakeholders, interdepartmental staff and at times Council.
Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.
Development and implementation of Rain City Private Realm Work Plan:
Scope and develop a Rainwater Management Work Plan in the private realm (from analyses and regulatory requirements) that achieves the goals and objectives of the Rain City Strategy.
Implement rainwater management tactical programs and regulatory actions, in partnership with a senior staff in Development, Buildings and Licensing (DBL).
Monitors rainwater management plans submitted as part of development applications to identify industry trends and the need for research, training, or policy changes to improve the effectiveness of the City’s regulatory approaches.
Researches emerging industry trends from other leading cities to support the development of effective regulatory approaches to lot development and building design.
Leads the development of policy, by-laws, and regulations which results in Council recommendations for new and amended regulations.
Anticipates and recommends to the Director areas for further research.
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
University degree recognized by the Canadian Institute of Planners, with a post-graduate degree in Planning, Architecture, Engineering, Environmental Science, or related field, or an equivalent combination of post-secondary education and experience preferred.
Membership or eligibility for membership in the Planning Institute of British Columbia is desirable.
A minimum of 5 years preferred of progressively responsible experience in the application and implementation of: Rainwater management or green infrastructure on development sites, including detention, infiltration, bio-retention, rainwater harvesting, and green roof systems.
Knowledge of the City’s zoning and development by-laws or other equivalent by-laws or policies with other local governments.
Experience leading complex projects that require and drive change involving multiple stakeholders and staff would be considered an asset.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Considerable knowledge of rainwater management, hydraulics and hydrology.
Knowledge of current Zoning and Development By-law requirements and referenced standards.
Knowledge of current methodologies and practices of rainwater management through green infrastructure practices
Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment.
Ability to work well under pressure, handle multiple tasks and changing priorities within tight timeframes and with limited supervision and direction.
Ability to reconcile differing perspectives, develop consensus, and secure support from a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Ability to prepare clear, well written reports, and records that support technical decision making as well as policy and regulation development work.
Ability to represent the Director in committees, boards, public forums and in Council.
Ability to influence, negotiate and build relationships.
Business Unit/Department: Planning, Urban Design & Sustainability (1275)
Affiliation: CUPE 15 Non Pks
Employment Type: Regular Full Time
Position Start Date: September, 2019
Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-031: $48.78 to $57.7 per hour
Application Close: July 26, 2019
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