Civil Engineer II (Senior Hydraulic Modeller)

Requisition ID: 38853 

Organization
Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable cities and is working towards being the greenest city in the world. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, decolonization, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

Main Purpose and Function
The Senior Hydraulic Modeller is responsible for undertaking modelling analysis in support of the development of the Healthy Waters Plan, which will adapt and integrate sewage and rainwater management for Vancouver. Utilizing a holistic “One Water” approach, the Healthy Waters Plan will provide a road map for strategic investments, policies and bylaws to address pollution from combined sewer overflows and urban runoff, while adapting to climate change, population growth and renewing aging infrastructure. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to contribute to a planning initiative that is both innovative in its approach as well as critical for the community and environment at large.

The Healthy Waters Plan is being developed in close coordination with Metro Vancouver, and much of the modelling work in support of the plan will be utilizing Metro Vancouver’s Mike Urban model of major infrastructure components of the Vancouver Sewerage Area (VSA), along with discrete models to be developed by the City for representative watersheds within Vancouver. Given this high level of collaboration and use of Metro Vancouver’s VSA model, this position will be working closely with Metro Vancouver staff and will be dedicating a portion of time working out of Metro Vancouver’s office (either in-person or virtually) and will facilitate information sharing and collaboration between City and Metro Vancouver staff to support coordinated planning across both organization’s collection systems. The Senior Hydraulic Modeller will also be working closely with colleagues within the Urban Watersheds, Sewers and Drainage division of the City of Vancouver’s Engineering Department.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Participate as a key team member in Healthy Waters Plan planning activities including workshops to define baseline forecasts, scenario development, pathways development and evaluation and final adaptive plan development.
• Understand the VSA system as represented within the Mike Urban VSA model (i.e. assumptions, criteria, boundary conditions, calibration levels and corresponding levels of confidence etc.).
• Work with Metro Vancouver to identify areas of the VSA system at the trunk level that are under-utilized and those that are overtaxed during storm events, and help to establish a common understanding of system performance between the City and Metro Vancouver
• Understand the contribution of different urban drainage areas and their compounding impact on CSOs, SSOs and capacity issues across the system.
• Use the VSA model outputs, monitoring and field data to estimate contaminant loadings to the receiving environment associated with model runs.
• Use the VSA model outputs and the Healthy Waters Plan urban watershed analysis (i.e. issues and opportunities) to prioritize watersheds for implementing green infrastructure and other source controls that will alleviate greater system bottlenecks and mitigate sewer overflows.
• Develop and run scenarios as part of the Healthy Waters Plan development process. 
• Develop discrete models of representative Vancouver watersheds using InfoWorks ICM to evaluate the effectiveness of different infrastructure and policy tools.
• Assist in delivery of technical reports related to the hydraulic modelling tasks including preparation of graphs, sketches and figures and hydraulic plans & profiles
• Recommend potential monitoring locations and data inputs required for additional model calibration and validation.
• Undertake other forms of engineering planning analysis.
• Engaging with staff from Metro Vancouver, City of Vancouver, and the City of Vancouver’s consultant as needed to undertake analysis and facilitate shared learning as part of the Healthy Waters Plan development process.
• Act as a conduit for information flow and coordination between City of Vancouver and Metro Vancouver staff to support strong collaboration between the two organizations in the development of the Healthy Waters Plan.
• Assist Metro Vancouver efforts to investigate challenges and uncertainties in system understanding discovered during regular use and calibration of the Regional model. This is anticipated to include coordination between City of Vancouver and Metro Vancouver operations and utility planning staff.
• Manage the work of and support junior staff as required.
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications
Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with a Professional Engineer designation and considerable related experience in hydrology, hydraulics, utility modelling, utility planning, project management specifically related to combined sewer, sanitary and drainage networks or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience
• Registration or eligibility to register as a Professional Engineer in British Columbia
• Experience in urban sewer flow, rainfall, and Inflow and infiltration analysis

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Sound technical knowledge and understanding of engineering principles related to hydrology, hydraulics, and planning, design or construction of sewer and drainage systems.
• Sound technical knowledge and understanding of hydrologic/hydraulic modelling tools and procedures, and monitoring data analysis procedures including: model build, sewage load allocation, model calibration, scenario development, and system assessment.
• Sound knowledge of sewer infrastructure planning principles including flow and rainfall monitoring, growth and population projection, inflow & infiltration, system evaluation, and capital projects.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent communication (oral and written), interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Ability to write effectively, organize and maintain project documentation, prepare status reports and summaries.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive, productive relationships at all levels in the organization and external partners.
• Proficiency in Mike Urban and familiarity with a variety of hydraulic and hydrologic modeling software such as InfoWorks ICM and PCSWMM.
• Working knowledge of ESRI ArcGIS Pro and relevant data sets tools and analytics.

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work remotely 1 – 4 days a week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite.  At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

The City’s COVID-19 vaccination policy is currently suspended and as a result, vaccination against COVID-19 is not required at this time. However, should circumstances change and the City deem it necessary to re-introduce such policy, you may be required to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be eligible to continue performing your duties.

Business Unit/Department: Engineering Services (1300) 

Affiliation: Exempt 

Employment Type: Regular Full Time 

Position Start Date: September 2023 onwards 

Salary Information: Salary Range 91: $106,345 to $ 132,936 per annum

Application Close: Open until filled

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion. 

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