Environmental Protection Technician

Requisition ID: 43404 

Organization

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

Main Purpose and Function

The Environmental Protection Technician position provides a wide range of environmental technical services in support of the City’s environmental protection program, including those pertaining to receiving water and discharge water quality protection. Activities include developing and implementing environmental assessments, maintaining database systems, and analyzing results. This position also conducts environmental compliance work, including undertaking environmental inspections, reviewing environmental reports and investigating routine bylaw infractions. Serving as a member of the City’s Environmental Emergency Response Team, the Environmental Protection Technician responds to spills and other environmental incidents, taking action to reduce and mitigate environmental impacts and support the City in meeting environmental legislative requirements. This position also responds to environmental inquiries from the public and contributes to the overall environmental protection and improvement efforts of the broader Environmental Services team. With minimal supervision when in the field, the Environmental Protection Technician must exercise independent judgment and discretion when enforcing routine by-law infractions and conducting other services, ensuring that safe working practices are always followed and adhered to.

Specific Duties/Responsibilities

• Develops and delivers environmental assessments and monitoring programs to meet specified objectives, including undertaking evaluations of wastewater, sanitary and combined sewers outflows, storm sewer flows, and receiving environments.
• Delivers the City’s auditing program for permitted industrial/commercial wastewater and groundwater discharges, including conducting inspections, maintaining records of sampling activities, entering data into databases, identifying, and alerting of violations of applicable requirements, and preparing reports.
• Performs routine inspections, including of commercial operations) and erosion and sediment control practices at construction sites, maintains records of inspection activities, prepares reports, and conducts corrective action as needed.
• Conducts and supports environmental investigations, including undertaking research and examining potential pollution sources, conducting sampling, maintaining, and analyzing data, developing recommendations, and preparing reports.
• Responds to public inquiries and routine by-law infraction complaints, including issuing verbal warnings as required and support Environmental Protection Officers to address more serious bylaw infractions.
• Supports environmental permitting activities, including completing routine reviews of environmental compliance reports.
• Participates on the Environmental Emergency Response team and responds to environmental spills, taking action to mitigate impacts and ensure compliance with governing environmental legislation including but not limited to the Environmental Management Act.
• Supports environmental policy, program development and planning work, including conducting research and best practices reviews to prevent environmental impacts and improve ecological health.
• Provides environmental technical guidance to the public, City departments and external agencies.
• Determines and adheres to safe and efficient work procedures in accordance with established standards.
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Education and Experience:

• Graduate of a recognized College or Institute of Technology diploma program in environmental science, planning or related discipline plus some experience in the environmental industry performing data collection and analysis, environmental sampling and monitoring and reporting or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Good knowledge of environmental legislation (federal, provincial, regional, and municipal), including working knowledge of the BC Environmental Management Act and related regulations and guidelines/objectives that apply to work performed.
• Knowledge of environmental issues and challenges, as well as best practices, particularly with respect to the health of aquatic receiving environments.
• Working knowledge of existing sewer systems within the City.
• Considerable knowledge of environmental sampling practices, techniques, and procedures.
• Ability to develop and implement environmental monitoring and auditing programs, including developing sampling regimes, analyzing, and maintaining data, presenting results and developing recommended actions.
• Ability to identify potential pollutant sources and risks, and to design and conduct investigative studies.
• Ability to serve on the City’s environmental emergency response team and respond effectively to pollution incidents.
• Ability to respond to environmental concerns and enforce City environmental requirements in an effective manner.
• Ability to respond to public inquiries in an effective and diplomatic manner.
• Ability to work independently and conduct fieldwork in safe and efficient manner.
• Ability to work in a collaborative, fast-paced, team environment.
• Proficient use of computer applications related to the work, including WORD, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Knowledge and experience in the use of POSSE, and VanDocs is an asset.
• Proficient verbal and written communication and presentation skills, including the ability to translate information into material that can be easily understood by a non-technical audience.
• Driver's license for the Province of British Columbia. The license must not include any restrictions that would affect the ability to carry out job responsibilities legally and safely. Transportation arrangements must meet the operational requirements of the department.

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work remotely 1 – 4 days a week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite.  At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

Business Unit/Department: RealEstate Env & Fac Mgmt (1100) 

Affiliation: CUPE 15 Non Pks 

Employment Type: Regular Full Time 

Position Start Date: April, 2025  

Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-021: $37.2 to $43.78 per hour

Application Close: March 16, 2025

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion. 

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In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx. 5-10 minutes. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a summary of skills and experience related to the position.