DescriptionThe Opportunity:
WSP’s Environmental Impact Assessment Team in Ontario is seeking a Senior Environmental Planner or Environmental Impact Assessment Specialist that is looking to advance the growth of their professional career by leading a terrific team of experienced environmental planning and approvals specialists.
The team is part of our broader Environmental Planning business unit and works alongside a diverse group of environmental planning and permitting consultants and other technical specialists (e.g., ecologists, hydrogeologists, archaeologists, etc.) from across the province.
The role involves leading a team whose services include studying the interactions between proposed infrastructure or development projects and the social, natural and physical environments that may be affected by them. This can include a variety of project types and sectors, ranging from municipal and provincial infrastructure (e.g., roads, highways, and rail) to energy and resource projects (e.g., mining, nuclear and transmission projects). It also involves engaging with a wide range of client, government, public and Indigenous organizations.
As the Team Lead, you could be located at any of our Ontario offices.
Reporting to the Director of Environmental Impact Assessment and Social Science for Ontario, you will be responsible for leading and growing a team of environmental planning specialists in a hybrid work environment.
What you can expect to do here :
Team Lead Responsibilities
You will apply approximately 40% of your work time to the Team Lead role, as described below.
- You will supervise entry to senior level employees, providing day-to-day direction on business and operational matters.
- You will ensure adherence by all team members to corporate policies and procedures, and build team commitment to technical excellence.
- You will demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills with good leadership and management abilities, and communicate effectively with both direct reports and senior management.
- You will identify opportunities for process improvements and implement strategies to enhance operational efficiency.
- You will support the team’s workload, resource and succession planning by monitoring recruitment needs to meet project demands and targets for growth, hiring new staff, and managing the team’s structure.
- You will be responsible for the management of human resources, monitor non-billable hours, and provide approval and oversight of timesheets, expense reports and overtime.
- You will manage and support the achievement of relevant Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for your team, e.g., staff chargeability and revenue targets.
- You will mentor staff and support career development plans; identifying career goals and development opportunities for your team, and for yourself.
- You will foster an atmosphere of continuous improvement through on-the-job coaching and guidance, and proactively create and maintain a positive work climate.
- You will conduct regular check-ins and performance management reviews, ensuring that staff have a clear understanding of expectations and accountabilities, and receive positive and constructive feedback.
- You will contribute to business development, including marketing of the team’s services to both internal and external clients.
- You will accept tactical direction, feedback, and guidance to meet established goals and operational priorities.
- You will provide input to the Director for annual budgeting and business planning.
- You will ensure health and safety policies are followed, and be a role model for ethics and WSP's guiding principles.
- You will work a hybrid model, being in a workplace at least three days per week.
- You may travel for short duration trips and events.
Technical Consulting Responsibilities
- You will apply approximately 60% of your work time in a consulting role, active on project delivery of technical work and client deliverables in your area of specialization.
- You will guide the preparation of baseline research, environmental impact assessments, and environmental effects monitoring and management.
- You will oversee reporting for environmental assessment baseline, qualitative data analysis, interpretation, and related deliverables for multi-disciplinary projects.
- You will lead the assessment of project impacts on the environment, considering aspects such as currently accepted and innovative methodologies and best practices.
- You will manage and guide junior and intermediate staff in secondary research and primary qualitative and quantitative data collection.
- You will prepare and support technical and financial proposals for both internal and external clients, and be accountable for client management for specific projects.
- You will undertake quality reviews of project deliverables, including proposals and technical documents.
- You will offer technical leadership to project teams, providing strategic advice and oversight of deliverables.
- You will use strong project management skills to manage and direct projects, maintaining control of scope, schedule, costs, and quality of products and services.
- You will contribute to the growth of the team by developing and maintaining strong working relationships with key clients (internal and external) and identifying new project opportunities.
- You will collaborate with other WSP disciplines for multi-faceted/multi-disciplinary projects.
- You will lead interactions with external clients, regulators, members of the general public, Indigenous communities and other project stakeholders in relation to development projects.
What you’ll bring to WSP :
- Graduate degree in environmental sciences, environmental studies, or planning. Applicants with undergraduate degrees will be considered with appropriate commensurate experience.
- At least 12 years of relevant technical experience, e.g., conducting environmental research and analysis related to environmental impact assessment, or related environmental planning.
- At least 5 years as a professional environmental consultant.
- Experience managing or leading a team (e.g., as a people manager or manager of a multi-disciplinary project team), with proven ability to mentor, develop and motivate teams, and demonstrating strong leadership, communication, collaboration, decision making and problem-solving skills.
- Extensive knowledge of the requirements of the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act, federal Impact Assessment Act, and related legislation.
- Strong analytical skills and a solid understanding of environmental assessment methodology.
- Experience consulting with Indigenous groups in Ontario to meet regulatory or good governance requirements.
- Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills in English. Such skills in French are an asset.
