Position Summary
The Technical Advisor is QM Environmental’s national technical authority for the Emergency Response division. This role exists to develop the skills, capabilities, and readiness of QM’s emergency response teams across Canada - ensuring operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and client confidence on every engagement.
The Technical Advisor leads on-site responses for the most complex and high-hazard incidents, provides remote and field-based technical guidance to Operations Supervisors and Team Leads, Technicians, drives the development and delivery of national training programs, and serves as a key point of contact for clients, regulatory bodies, and government stakeholders. This is a senior individual contributor role requiring mastery of emergency response tactics, dangerous goods management, ERAP implementation, and multi-disciplinary team leadership
Duties
- Emergency Response - Incident Leadership
- Respond at a moment’s notice to complex, high-hazard emergency incidents, providing on-site technical leadership and mentorship to Team Leads and Operations Supervisors.
- Execute and oversee all phases of emergency response: site assessment and control, containment and confinement, mitigation, clean-up, decontamination, waste management, and remediation.
- Respond to Emergency Response Assistance Plans (ERAPs) by providing compliant ER services to clients and Transport Canada as required.
- Fulfill Incident Command roles including Section Chief (Operations, Planning, and Logistics) as required.
- Source, interpret, and communicate technical information - including chemical compatibility, toxicological data, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and TDG Regulations - to QM staff, clients, and public/government stakeholders as approved by the Director.
- Provide technical advice on loading and unloading procedures, including tools, valves, piping, hoses, and fittings for applicable means of containment.
- Ensure understanding and application of regulations and standards governing the design, maintenance, inspection, repair, and use of means of containment at all incidents.
- Support and direct the mobilization of QM and subcontracted staff and equipment for emergency and non-emergency projects.
- Secure contract and billing information to support accurate cost recovery on emergency responses.
- Visit emergency response incidents as requested to provide knowledge transfer to Team Leads, Operations Supervisors, and field personnel.
Technical Advisory - Dangerous Goods & ERAP
As a designated Technical Advisor under Transport Canada’s ERAP framework, this role maintains the knowledge and certifications required to provide compliant technical guidance at all times, including:
- Chemical compatibility of dangerous goods involved in incidents.
- Handling precautions, safety guidelines, and best practices specific to the dangerous goods.
- Toxicological properties of dangerous goods and exposure risk assessment.
- Compatibility, use, selection, and field testing of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Understanding and interpreting Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and other technical publications concerning dangerous goods.
- Referencing and interpreting chemical inventory data to assess compatibility, hazard classification, and appropriate response measures.
- Implementation of ERAPs in accordance with Transport Canada requirements.
- Applicable sections of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Regulations, including Part 6 requirements for ERAP response.
- Regulations, standards, and requirements governing the design, maintenance, inspection, repair, and use of means of containment, including tank cars, tank trucks, and fixed facility tanks.
- Working under an Incident Command System (ICS) structure in a multi-agency or multi-discipline environment.
National Training, Outreach & Competency Development
- Work with divisional leadership to identify, design, and implement national internal training and competency programs for the Emergency Response division.
- Facilitate and lead internal training exercises, live events, and scenario-based simulations to ensure readiness and continuous improvement across all regions.
- Ensure all internal training exercises are completed to meet annual ERAP certification requirements and contractual obligations.
- Develop and deliver client-facing training programs as required, building QM’s external reputation as a technical leader.
- Provide information and training to first responders, public agencies, and industry partners through QM’s participation in community outreach programs such as TRANSCAER (Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response), reinforcing QM’s role as a trusted national resource.
- Maintain positive relationships with regulators, public agencies, clients, and industry partners; meet with key stakeholders proactively to discuss dangerous goods safety and emergency response preparedness.
- Support workforce and succession planning by identifying and developing high-potential personnel within the division.
- Ensure all required occupational certifications for field personnel are current and documented across all regions.
- Keep current with industry trends, emerging response tactics, evolving dangerous goods regulations, and advances in PPE and containment technology.
- Attend trade shows, conventions, and seminars as directed to maintain and expand technical expertise.
Health and Safety
- Serve as a role model and technical authority for health and safety practices across the Emergency Response division.
- Ensure all Corporate Health and Safety Programs, Policies, and Procedures are followed and assessed for effectiveness at all incidents and exercises.
- Support and participate in health and safety initiatives, investigations, and continuous improvement programs to meet corporate goals and targets.
- Ensure health and safety is considered in all operational planning and execution activities.
- Ensure HSE compliance with applicable Federal, Provincial Acts, Codes, and Regulations.
Leadership & Technical Direction
- Support and oversee the work of Operations Supervisors and Team Leads from a technical standpoint, providing guidance and direction during emergency events and on complex operational questions.
- Assist in resolving safety, regulatory, and technical conflicts that arise within divisional operations.
- Support the development and implementation of performance targets that contribute to organizational effectiveness and profitability.
- Professionally represent QM Environmental’s technical capabilities to clients, regulatory bodies, and the public; manage the flow of technical information as authorized by the Director.
- Support and maintain key relationships with business partners, industry associations, and supply chain partners.
- Build awareness and support for QM’s full range of services during client engagements.
Regulatory Compliance & Contractor Oversight
- Function as a subject matter expert (SME) and liaison to federal, provincial, and local regulatory agencies on dangerous goods and emergency response matters.
- Participate in and support integrated safety audits across QM’s operating regions.
- Execute compliance audits, site inspections, and efficiency reviews to ensure adherence to TDG Regulations, ERAP requirements, and applicable federal and provincial legislation.
- Audit third-party emergency response contractors to assess their response capabilities, capacity, equipment readiness, and regulatory compliance, supporting QM’s quality assurance obligations.
- Inspect and maintain QM emergency response equipment inventories; ensure field equipment is operationally ready and properly deployed.
- Ensure the division complies with all government regulations applicable in each operating region.
- Maintain quality of service by establishing and enforcing operational standards consistent with QM’s policies and applicable regulatory requirements.
Operational & Strategic Oversight
- Support and contribute to corporate strategic planning and the implementation of divisional goals and objectives.
- Review workflows, processes, staffing, and procurement requirements to improve efficiency, productivity, quality control, and profitability.
- Continuously identify regional opportunities for expansion, capability growth, and service development.
- Consider and minimize environmental impacts in all operational decisions and planning activities, reinforcing QM’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
Financial Management
- Support the preparation of scope development, cost estimates for emergency responses, on an as needed basis
Client Development
- Meet with clients to maintain, improve, and build new relationships in support of divisional growth objectives.
- Support the resolution of significant client complaints and service concerns with technical expertise and professionalism.
- Engage in pre-incident site visits and client consultations, gathering technical information to support project planning and ERAP preparedness.
Education
- Post-secondary education in a related discipline (science, environmental engineering, chemistry, or emergency management) or an equivalent combination of training, education, and experience.
Occupational Certifications
- NFPA 472 Hazardous Materials Technician (required)
- NFPA 470: Specialist Employee B or A, or Operations Level or above (required for ERAP Technical Advisor designation)
- ICS I-200 or above (required); ICS 300 strongly preferred
- TDG Regulations — Part 6 compliance and working knowledge (required)
- NFPA 1081 or higher Brigade Leader (required)
- Advanced Tank Car Specialist (required)
- Training in Incident Command and industrial firefighting (required)
- Training in flammable liquids firefighting and foam trailer use (required)
- NIMS 300 and 400 (asset)
- NFPA 1001 Level 2 or 3 (asset)
- CHLOREP Team Training (asset)
- Highway Transportation Specialist (asset)
- Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Fire Science, or associated field (asset)
Experience
- 10+ years of field experience dealing with complex, large-scale emergency response incidents.
- 10+ years of experience working with and implementing Emergency Response Assistance Plans (ERAPs).
- Demonstrated experience leading multi-disciplinary incident response teams in the field under ICS structure.
- Experience in business development and maintaining client relationships in an emergency response or environmental services context.
- Project management experience with direct responsibility for resource allocation, subcontract administration, and project estimating.
- Experience evaluating response tactics with respect to technical, environmental, budgetary, regulatory, and safety constraints.
- Strong working knowledge of TDG Regulations, ERAP requirements, and associated Transport Canada frameworks.
- Experience interpreting Safety Data Sheets (SDS), chemical compatibility data, and dangerous goods technical publications.
- Knowledge of Incident Command System structure and related site management documentation requirements.
- Familiarity with waste classification, waste stream management, and applicable Provincial and Federal disposal regulations.
Knowledge
- Recognized technical expert in emergency response, dangerous goods, and ERAP implementation.
- Deep understanding of Federal and Provincial regulations governing emergency response, hazardous materials, and environmental remediation in Canada, including TDG Regulations and TP14877 (Emergency Response Assistance Plan requirements).
- Thorough knowledge of hazmat chemical and physical properties, toxicology, PPE selection, and SDS interpretation as applied to dangerous goods incidents.
- Knowledge of air monitoring techniques, liquid transfers, compressed gas transfers, and explosives handling as they relate to hazmat emergency response.
- Knowledge of flammable liquids firefighting principles and foam application systems, including foam trailer deployment.
- Understanding of means of containment design standards and loading/unloading procedures for rail, road, and fixed facility applications, including tank cars, tank trucks, and fixed facility tanks.
- Familiarity with territory hazmat response capabilities - knowledge of regional emergency response companies, mutual aid partners, and available equipment resources.
- Awareness of emerging industry trends, technologies, and regulatory developments in the emergency response sector.
- Understanding of environmental legislation and guidelines including Provincial Contaminated Sites Regulations and CCME frameworks.
Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process as well as part of employment with QM Environmental.
This position is being posted to meet a current operational requirement.
Please note that this hiring process does not use artificial intelligence (AI) in any stage of screening, assessing, or selecting applicants. All applications are reviewed and evaluated by qualified HR and hiring professionals.
Pay: $100,000.00-$145,000.00 per year
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Vancouver, BC
