Department: Water Services
Employee Group: Exempt
Location: Seymour Capilano Filtration Plant, North Vancouver
Salary Range/ Wage Rate: Professional / Technical, Level P3A ($123,587.51 - $145,395.95 annually) (2024 wage rates)
Our Water Services Department is seeking a *Senior Project Engineer to support the systems operations of Metro Vancouver's drinking water transmission system. As part of a technical team supporting more than 100 frontline operators, you will provide engineering expertise for complex operational initiatives. Using your knowledge of water system hydraulics and operations, you will lead optimization projects, solve technical challenges, assess risks, and develop practical recommendations. Your work will directly contribute to the daily reliable delivery of high-quality drinking water to the region.
You are: a detail-oriented and purposeful engineer with strong technical expertise in water systems, hydraulics, and utility operations. You bring a systems-thinking approach to complex challenges, balancing operational realities, risk, and long-term objectives. You exercise sound engineering judgment and take pride in shaping the daily success of the utility as a trusted advisor and decision maker. You are an excellent communicator who asks thoughtful questions, challenges assumptions, and clearly conveys technical information to a wide range of audiences. Collaborative and solutions-focused, you thrive in a fast-paced operational environment and are motivated by supporting frontline staff and the continuous improvement of critical water infrastructure.
This position is based out of the Seymour Capilano Filtration Plant with some travel to Head Office.
The *Senior Project Engineer reports to the Lead Senior Engineer.
This role:
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Performs complex and varied engineering, project management and utility operations program management work. Applies principles and practices of profession to ensure results are achieved in a sound and practical manner.
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Analyzes and assesses requirements and recommends optimal methods for achieving objectives.
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Responsible for overall project budgets and monitors and controls costs ensuring the effective and efficient expenditure of allocated funds. Participates in short and long range planning.
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Makes decisions and provides recommendations on a variety of issues with broad policies and mandates as guidelines. Uses ingenuity to devise original, practical and economical solutions.
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Prepares and reviews project designs, technical reports and contract specifications for consulting services, equipment and construction. Acts as Metro Vancouver’s appointed representative in assigned matters of project and contract obligations including project initiatives, site inspections, and determination of regulatory requirements. May be required to negotiate significant technical or financial interest on behalf of Metro Vancouver.
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Directs the actions of consultants recommending changes to scope and negotiating new terms as required. Deals with full range of project dimensions that may include legal, property, public contact, and liaising with various levels of government, and other regulatory bodies.
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Explains difficult concepts and persuades others to adopt a point of view, supports position with evidence, research or experience gained in similar situations. Typically acts as a project leader and actively works to encourage teamwork, collaboration and efficiency.
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May supervise professional engineers and/or technical staff engaged in complex technical work. Peer reviews the work of colleagues and provides guidance to consulting engineers and technical staff. Acts as a resource to staff members for advice and guidance on potential approaches and problem situations. May be a resource for presentations and questions to the Metro Vancouver board, committees and municipal councils.
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May work as a technical/specialist resource, collaborating with senior engineers, management and/or government officials in the development of regulatory or government policy initiatives affecting Metro Vancouver.
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Participates in the design, preparation and approval of engineering standards in area of specialty.
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Performs other related duties as required.
To be successful, you have:
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A Bachelor of Applied Science degree in civil or a relevant engineering discipline. Demonstration of competencies and a minimum of 4 years post-registration (P.Eng) experience; or Demonstration of competencies and minimum of 2 years’ post-registration (P.Eng) with a minimum of 8 years total of directly relevant engineering experience is required; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Experience specific to drinking water transmission systems, water system hydraulics or utility operations is an asset.
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Membership or eligibility for immediate membership as a registered Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (EGBC).
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Sound technical knowledge and understanding of engineering principles and their application in relevant discipline. Ability to act as a resource to staff and provide sound and practical guidance for unusual or problem situations.
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Ability to interpret and apply engineering and technical guidelines and principles related to area of specialization such as technical manuals, codes and regulations, contracting policies, safety regulations and corporate and board policies. Ability to adapt or adjust guidelines and procedures for unique or difficult situations.
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Proven contract administration and project management skills. Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize a complex series of project components for large complex projects to meet multiple time based deliverables requiring a high level of detail and accuracy. Ability to resolve problems within established guidelines and procedures; ability to use judgment to determine which methods are applicable in any given situation.
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Excellent written and oral communications skills. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing including letter, report writing and presentation skills. Ability to explain difficult concepts to diverse audiences and persuades others to adopt a point of view or way of doing things.
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Strong systems-thinking approach and ability to balance operational needs, risk management, and long-term utility objectives.
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Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain respectful working relationships with internal and external contacts under circumstances that are considerably complex and time sensitive. Skill in dealing openly, tactfully and sensitively in a variety of situations including dealings with the public, member municipalities, government agencies and contractors. Demonstrated ability to work in a team oriented work environment and deal effectively with disagreements and prevent the escalation of conflict.
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Ability to work under broad direction and use significant independent judgment to problem solve when more than one option is possible. Ability to identify opportunities to address emerging needs. Proven ability to take initiative, work with minimal supervision and effectively manage multiple projects and deadlines. Ability to meet timelines and objectives requiring persistence to overcome obstacles.
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Demonstrates understanding of the organizational culture, processes and mechanisms necessary to attain work objectives; upholds Metro Vancouver’s reputation through positive and forthright dealings with other organizations and members of the public.
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Ability to supervise, coach and guide others while enhancing individual and team effectiveness. Ability to mentor and foster the development junior engineer, technical staff and direct reports as required.
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Proficiency using Microsoft office programs, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Project.
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Valid BC Class 5 Driver’s license.
Candidates with lesser experience may be considered at the Project Engineer or Assistant Project Engineer level, respectively, along with the applicable rate of pay.
