Director, Climate Change, Environment & Waste Management

Summary of Duties:

Reporting to the Deputy City Manager, Environment and Infrastructure, the Director, Climate Change, Environment and Waste Management is responsible for many important services including leading and/or collaborating on the corporate and community response to climate change, transportation demand management and watershed protection. The Director is also responsible for waste management, including waste collection and landfilling, waste diversion through programs like the Blue Box, EnviroDepots, Hazardous and Special Products, the Green Bin program, and the long-term resource recovery plan as part of the circular economy.

Collaborative and focused on emerging technologies and trends, the Director provides leadership and direction to the management team, guiding business process improvements, upholding customer service standards, focusing on community and business outreach, and driving the modernization of existing practices.  The Director is an insightful and effective people leader, adept at leading the transformation of Divisional culture aligned with the Council’s strategic priorities.

Work Performed:

• Direct the planning, management, and administration for the Climate Change, Environment and Waste Management Division; develop and maintain comprehensive policies, programs, procedures and protocols.
• Develop and implement various work plans and direction for the Climate Change, Environment and Waste Management Division to meet the organization’s strategic plan and effectively deliver the business responsibilities of the unit.
• Provide advice to the Deputy City Manager, Environment and Infrastructure on strategic priorities with responsibility to operationalize those goals and strategies.
• Provide professional opinion and information to the Senior Leadership Team, Committees and Council on policies, programs and services as required.
• Identify and develop internal controls in the form of policies, procedures, practices in relation to the general and specific risks of the Corporation.  Ensure internal controls are implemented and adhered to within the Division.
• Oversee a team of experienced Managers; delegate authority and accountability for the execution and delivery of services and programs including, but not limited to:
  • Approvals and compliance management for issues affecting solid waste and waste diversion facilities, with a focus on future planning and specialized programs to reduce the impact on the environment. 
  • Provision of solid waste services to meet residential and business sector needs and management of related contracted services.  
  • Management of a centre of expertise in climate change and related environmental matters to address energy conservation, watershed management, and specific programs related to transportation demand management. 
  • Management and delivery of engagement and outreach related to climate change, waste management, transportation demand management, watershed protection and related environmental matters with other levels of government, institutions, businesses and the community at large.
  • Oversight of a customer service program to manage public inquiries and related service issues and provide effective resolution, with an emphasis on continuous service improvement through the use of customer relationship management technologies.
  • Development and implementation of performance reporting policies, systems, and procedures; ensures same are understood and administered by Division staff.
  • Oversight of the Division’s administrative and financial planning, operating budget, and annual capital program.

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• Lead and encourage Divisional employee participation and commitment to organizational objectives. 
• Actively mentor, provide development opportunities and build team performance with direct report leaders; ensure managers within the Division are providing the same among their direct reports.
• In consultation with Human Resources, develop a Divisional succession planning program and other related programs.
• Direct the Climate Change, Environment and Waste Management team, including hiring, administration and performance aspects of reporting staff. Respond to sensitive and confidential human resource issues as required.
• Liaise with respective unions on issues that affect bargaining unit members. Promote and foster constructive working relationships with employees and bargaining units and monitor collective agreement compliance.
• Administer provisions of various Collective Agreements to promote resolution of grievances and provide representation at mediation and arbitration proceedings.
• Build and encourage employee commitment to strive for consistently high levels of performance in all areas of service delivery.
• Create and maintain a culture of enterprise-wide collaboration.  Seek opportunities to work across Divisions and Service Areas in support of the strategic initiatives.
• Demonstrate commitment to supporting diversity, equity, inclusion and Human Rights through interactions with community partners, employees and individuals and ensure that policies, programs and protocols reflect this commitment.
• Champion commitment and adherence to Health and Safety legislation and programs; demonstrate commitment to the Corporation’s culture of safety.

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• Provide effective liaison with Provincial and Federal Ministries responsible for Environment, Energy, Climate Change, Transportation, Labour, associated regulatory agencies and Federal Ministries responsible for Environment, Climate Change, Natural Resources
• Prepare or delegate the preparation of written reports and correspondence as required to advise Council and Committee; seek direction from Council and Committee on related issues as required.
• Implement proactive progressive change in redesign and implementation of business processes; support organizational change-management projects, communications, and transition plans.
• Provide direction, guidance, processes and tools needed to increase efficiencies and improve the effectiveness of services provided by the Division.
• Build capacity across the Division for evidence-based decisions supported through strong analytics and community engagement.
• Adhere to the Procurement of Goods and Services Policy; includes the responsibility of delegation of procurement initiation approval authority and delegation of approval authority for professional consulting services as per policy amounts.
• Establish, administer, forecast and monitor the annual capital and operation budget for the Division. 
• Review specifications, give assistance in calling for tenders and proposals, and review recommendations for services, materials, equipment and construction contracts.
• Represent the Service Area as required during emergency training exercises and during emergency activation of the Emergency Operations Centre.
• Represent the Service Area at Standing Committees and Council meetings as required.
• Represent the City of London and Service Area in legal proceedings.
• Ensure that the expenditures are controlled and maintained within approved budget; manage and promote stewardship of financial and organizational resources.
• Perform public relations functions and address media to influence community acceptance and understanding of programs.
• Represent the Division on the various boards and committees of external organizations and government partners to promote the City of London as a leader, share best practices, build relationships, and recommend solutions.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge, experience and policy development in engineering and scientific design and operations for waste management facilities including all applicable legislation and regulations.  Knowledge of regulatory and policy framework for climate action specifically as it relates to local government. 
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with applicable policies, procedures, collective agreements, and related legislation (e.g., Environmental Assessment Act, Environmental Protection Act, Climate Change Mitigation and Low-Carbon Economy Act, Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act), contract law, and regulations and guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to co-create a vision for the Division aligned with strategic priorities, build common purpose and direction, and deliver outcomes to strengthen overall organizational performance.
• Highly developed analytical and business planning skills with a proven track record for long-term visioning and big-picture thinking.
• Demonstrated successful experience in a management role; positive and proactive leadership capabilities, adept at leading a diverse group of employees, contracted services and consultants; demonstrated commitment to developing high performance teams.
• Ability to be a trusted advisor and/or advocate in sensitive and/or emotionally charged situations.
• Demonstrated ability to inspire the people they lead through productive and honest dialogue, with personal integrity and actions.
• Ability to clearly communicate complex issues clearly to a wide and varied audience including facilitation, negotiation and conflict resolution skills; political acumen to identify and manage issues.
• Proven ability to establish purposeful relationships and work effectively with senior leaders, elected officials, representatives of other levels of government, bargaining units, management, peers, employees, business community and the general public.

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• Strong financial management skills and accountability for operating and capital budgeting.
• Proven commitment to the safety of employees with knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and applicable regulations as it relates to the position.
• Ability to provide a high level of attention to detail, make sense of data and solve problems.
• Ability to understand the vital importance of internally and externally focused service delivery and develop and implement initiatives that support customers in a timely and effective way.
• Computer literacy in Microsoft Office, and related software and database applications, including Customer Relation Management (CRM) software, JD Edwards, Kronos, and asset management systems.
• Demonstrated successful experience in leading continuous improvement and change management initiatives and projects that shape culture and enhance service delivery.
• Ability to travel to various locations.

Qualifications:

• An Honours degree in Engineering, Environmental Science or a comparable field, with a Master’s degree a preferable qualification.  Registration as a P.Eng. with the Professional Engineers of Ontario is an asset.
• Ten years of progressively responsible experience managing and delivering waste management services including a similar number of years focusing on projects and programs that reduce greenhouse gas generation as part of action on climate change.  Several years of progressively responsible experience supervising staff.

Compensation & Other Information:

$148,687 - $195,760

This posting is for 1 permanent, full-time position.

Current hours of Work: Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Work Arrangement: On Site. 

These hours of work and work arrangements are subject to change in accordance with business requirements.

Police Record Check

The successful candidate will be required to complete a Criminal Record Check.