Program Manager, Wastewater Services

Job Status: Permanent Full-Time

Union: Non-Union

Number of Positions: 1

Hours of Work: 35

Location: Chatham McGeorge Building

Reason for Vacancy: New

Closing Date: November 13, 11:59pm EST. Applications received after this deadline will not be accepted.

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has an opening for a permanent full-time Program Manager, Wastewater Services with the Public Utilities Commission.

Job description

Reporting to the Manager of Public Engagement & Connection Services, the Program Manager – Wastewater Systems is responsible for developing, implementing, and continuously improving programs that enhance the efficiency, accountability, reliability, compliance, and sustainability of CK PUC wastewater collection systems.

The position leads programs related to regulatory compliance, pollution prevention and control, inflow and infiltration reduction, collection system overflow monitoring and reporting, sewer flow and rainfall monitoring, sewer separation, and collection system performance. Using operational data, technology, performance measurement, and industry best practices to identify opportunities to reduce extraneous flows and overflows, recover collection system capacity, improve system efficiency, and support sound infrastructure and operational decisions. These areas also align closely with requirements established through CK PUC's Consolidated Linear Infrastructure Environmental Compliance Approval, including overflow monitoring and reporting, Pollution Prevention Control Program implementation, and wastewater collection system performance assessment.

Working collaboratively with internal departments, Entegrus, consultants, contractors, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders, the position provides technical expertise, program oversight, policy development, budget monitoring, and recommendations to management and Commission. The position also supports public education and communication to improve understanding of CK PUC wastewater systems and encourage actions that reduce unnecessary flows, protect infrastructure, and improve collection system performance

Essential responsibilities

• Demonstrate Chatham-Kent’s core values and competencies
• Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive wastewater collection system programs that support regulatory compliance, system performance, reliability, environmental protection, and continuous improvement, including requirements of the Consolidated Linear Infrastructure Environmental Compliance Approval (CLI ECA) and other applicable regulatory requirements.
• Develop and oversee the Pollution Prevention Control Program, inflow and infiltration (I&I), sewer separation, and related programs to reduce extraneous flows, combined and sanitary sewer overflows, recover collection system capacity, and reduce unnecessary hydraulic loading on wastewater infrastructure.
• Develop and oversee programs addressing public and private sources of I&I, including improper downspout, sump pump, foundation drain, cross-connection, and other stormwater connections, and initiatives to appropriately redirect stormwater away from the sanitary collection system.
• Develop and maintain benchmarks, key performance indicators, dashboards, and reporting tools to measure I&I, wet-weather response, sewer flows, collection system overflows, regulatory compliance, capacity recovery, and overall program and system performance.
• Analyze operational, infrastructure, rainfall, flow, overflow, condition, and financial data to identify trends and improvement opportunities and prepare reports, business cases, recommendations, and presentations for management, Commissioners, senior leadership, and regulatory agencies.
• Lead the implementation, administration, and optimization of technologies and software supporting wastewater collection system performance, including sewer flow and rainfall monitoring, overflow and level monitoring, GIS, SCADA, sewer modelling, remote monitoring, data analytics, and related systems.
• Research and evaluate emerging technologies, industry practices, and process improvements that enhance collection system capacity, operational efficiency, environmental performance, asset performance, and regulatory compliance, including flow management, real-time monitoring and control, storage, and stormwater management solutions.
• Support asset management, sewer condition assessment, lifecycle planning, sewer modelling, master planning, rehabilitation planning, and infrastructure prioritization by incorporating flow, rainfall, I&I, overflow, condition, and operational performance data into decision-making.
• Assist with operating and capital budget development, procurement, business cases, consultant assignments, grant opportunities, equipment acquisition, and long-term program planning; monitoring programs, equipment, and related expenditures against approved budgets.
• Develop and maintain policies, procedures, standards, service levels, and quality assurance practices supporting wastewater collection system compliance, I&I reduction, sewer separation, private-property connections, overflow management, monitoring programs, and collection system performance.
• Lead the review and integration of applicable wastewater regulatory requirements, Environmental Compliance Approvals, industry standards, and best management practices into collection system programs, risk management, performance measures, policies, regulatory reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Coordinate CK PUC's collection system overflow management and reporting responsibilities, including monitoring, investigation, documentation, assessment, and regulatory reporting of combined sewer overflows (CSOs), sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs), and other reportable events, and support initiatives to reduce their frequency, duration, volume, and environmental impact.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal departments, consultants, contractors, regulatory agencies, industry partners, property owners, and other stakeholders and lead cross-functional initiatives related to wastewater collection system performance, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as the primary liaison with Entegrus field personnel for wastewater program activities, including monitoring equipment, field investigations, inspections, equipment purchases and deployment, program delivery, contractor performance, and monitoring associated operating and capital expenditures.
• Support public education and communications related to CK PUC wastewater collection systems, I&I reduction, sewer separation, pollution prevention, collection system overflows, appropriate stormwater connections, and system initiatives through the CK PUC website, social media, and other communication channels.

Essential qualifications

• Three-year post-secondary diploma or university degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering, Engineering Technology, Applied Science, Water Resources, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of related education and experience
• Four (4) to six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in municipal wastewater collection, water/wastewater utilities, infrastructure management, engineering, asset management, water resources, environmental compliance, or a related field
• Demonstrated knowledge of municipal wastewater collection systems, with experience in one or more of the following: inflow and infiltration reduction, sewer flow monitoring, collection system overflow monitoring, wastewater regulatory compliance, pollution prevention and control, sewer condition assessment, asset management, sewer separation, wastewater system modelling, or municipal program management.
• Experience with program development, project coordination, performance measurement, data analysis, budget monitoring, and preparation of technical reports, policies, procedures, and recommendations.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, communication, project management, and stakeholder relationship skills.
• Strong computer skills with experience using data management, mapping, analytics, reporting, or wastewater utility software applications.

Other qualifications

The following would be considered assets:

• Ontario Wastewater Collection and or Treatment Operator Licence.
• Certified Engineering Technologist (CET), Professional Engineer (P.Eng.), Project Management Professional (PMP), or related professional designation.
• Experience with ArcGIS, Velocity, SCADA, sewer/hydraulic modelling, flow monitoring equipment, rainfall monitoring, level/overflow monitoring technologies, CCTV inspection data, and Power BI.
• Experience with municipal wastewater compliance, Environmental Compliance Approvals, CLI ECA requirements, Pollution Prevention Control Programs, or regulatory reporting.
• Experience developing or implementing inflow and infiltration reduction programs, flow-monitoring programs, sewer separation programs, overflow-monitoring programs, or private-property I&I initiatives.
• Experience in a municipal government or public utility environment.
• Experience developing policies, procedures, service levels, performance frameworks, business cases, funding applications, or procurement documents.

Certifications, memberships, licenses

• Membership and registration with the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists as a CET or with Professional Engineers Ontario as a P.Eng., or another relevant professional organization is preferred.

Work environment/hours of work

• This position works both indoors and outdoors
• This position is required to work weekday hours, with occasional evening hours

Driver’s licence/vehicle requirements

This position requires the successful candidate to have a valid class G Ontario driver’s licence; a driver’s abstract will be conducted by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. An acceptable driver’s abstract will: be an original document and current (within the previous thirty (30) days); have no more than four (4) demerit points; have no more than two (2) convictions for the same offence; have no criminal code convictions; have no ‘non-medical or administrative’ license suspension in the preceding three (3) years. Because this position may be required to drive their own vehicle, a reliable vehicle is also required.

Essential physical and/or safety requirements

• Walking: frequent walking to/from printers, meetings etc. Sometimes visiting treatment plants
• Sitting: frequent sitting in primary office, meeting locations etc.
• Hands: frequent fine finger dexterity (movement), mousing (keyboarding, mousing, data management, preparing reports, reviewing operational data)

Benefits

This permanent full-time position has an annual salary of $100,043 to $113,119 and will receive benefits including: participation in the OMERS pension plan (mandatory) as well as sick and vacation entitlements. Following successful completion of a 3-month waiting period, candidates will also be entitled to a comprehensive group benefits package.

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The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fair and accessible employment practices that attract and retain talented employees in a workplace that is inclusive, supportive, and reflective of the diverse community we serve.

The Municipality does not use artificial intelligence or automated decision‑making tools in its recruitment or selection processes; all hiring decisions are made by people.

Should you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources & Organizational Development (HROD) at 519-360-1998. Applicant information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Privacy legislation and will be used strictly for the purpose of candidate selection.