Planner

51823 - To Be Determined - Regular

Hiring salary range: $3,610.06 - $5,157.24 / Bi-weekly

Hydro One is proud to be the largest electricity transmission and distribution provider in Ontario, serving nearly 1.5 million customers. We have a long history in the industry with our roots dating back over 110 years to 1906. Since then, we have worked to grow and evolve to meet the changing needs of our customers and communities across Ontario. Today, we’re focused on providing exceptional customer service and ensuring we are building safe communities where we live, work and play.

It’s an exciting time to join the team at Hydro One!

Potential work locations: Barrie, Toronto, Burlington and Kitchener/Waterloo.

The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting Excess Soil Management projects and geo-environmental investigations, including site assessments, soil characterization, regulatory compliance, and technical reporting.

Job Description:

• Perform or assist in environmental and land use analysis studies and development within the department responsible for any of the following: Project Planning Services, Computer Applications, Inventory Methods, Land Use Planning Services, Impact Prediction Studies, Environmental Program Coordination and Study Methods Development.
• Prepare tendering specifications, budget requirementsand participate on committees.
• The Planner can be assigned responsibilities directed to any of the following major departmental activities associated with the approval, design and construction of new and modified bulk transmission facilities or responsibilities associated with reviews of external policies, legislation and planning documents on behalf of Hydro One.
• (a) Project Planning and Services - where responsibilities are directed to the coordination of environmental study projects; the analysis of land use and environmental implications; the preparation of recommendations and reports on or from among route and site alternatives; the analysis of specific environmental situations, the preparation of recommendations to mitigate the environmental effects of constructing bulk transmission/transformation facilities.
• (b) Computer Applications - where responsibilities are directed to studies and the development and maintenance of computer applications as associated with the planning process and automated processing of environmental and land use data, to the provision of specialized training and advice where required.
• (c) Land Use Planning Services - where responsibilities are directed towards the analysis of and coordination of responses by Hydro One Inc. on proposed government land use policy, municipal official plans, zoning bylaws and site plans, and proposed development plans of government ministries and agencies to ensure that Hydro One's interests are considered and protected; to review and comment on property management proposals and plans of subdivision as requested by internal groups; to review and analyze existing land use planning documents for environmental project planning; to prepare and process requests for Orders-in-Council and municipal approvals required for projects.
• (d) Impact Prediction Studies - where responsibilities are directed towards developing better understandings of the kinds of land use and environmental effects which could result from Ontario Hydro facilities and activities; methods by which such knowledge can be used to predict effects and to help identify, compare and select from among transmission route and site alternatives and to mitigate effects of constructing bulk system facilities.
• (e) Inventory Methods - where responsibilities are directed towards improvement of methods for collecting and creating information about the environment and potential impacts, including better sources of information, new technology and media.
• Carry out minor or assist in carrying out major studies and planning for construction projects within the responsibility areas as assigned.
• On occasion, coordinate smaller studies as directed.
• Refer unusual problems and relatively important matters to supervisor for direction.
• Participate in the preparation and presentation of comprehensive responses, reports, recommendations and environmental assessment documents to, and appear before senior management and other interested parties in support of recommendations resulting from assigned projects or studies.
• Carry out investigations, develop evidence and appear at formal hearings including governmental and public participation processes related to land use, environmental planning, site selection Ontario Municipal Board (OMB), Environmental Assessment Board (EAB), joint boards, etc, in an effort to influence the members to change their recommendations in accordance with the interests of Hydro One Inc.
• Follow all Hydro One rules and practices regarding work safety and vehicle operation.
• Contribute to the securing, protecting and advancing of responsible project and corporate objectives for assigned minor projects or components of major projects or activities, by means of studies and negotiations with external personnel and professionals to achieve mutual understanding or agreement, and to persuade them to change their positions or adopt courses of action in keeping with corporate objectives.
• Prepare tendering specifications on departmental purchases or study contracts in accordance with assigned projects. Carry out the evaluation of tenders and the awarding and administering of contracts as directed.
• Prepare information in accordance with budget requirements for designated projects or project components and be accountable for financial control as assigned.
• Represent the department at meetings and on committees and task groups.
• Keep abreast of latest concepts, theories, and development in the field of land use and environmental planning.
• Perform other duties as required.

Education:

• Requires a knowledge of environmental sciences, environmental engineering, urban and regional planning or landscape architecture including such pertinent subjects within those fields as the ecological sciences, land economics, land uses, geography, agriculture, environmental assessment and planning theory, etc, to perform or assist in the conduct of environmental studies and design and construction components of transmission and station projects of Hydro One Inc.
• Requires a knowledge of computer technology and GIS.
• Requires a thorough knowledge of communication skills, both oral and written, for preparation, editing and presentation of standards, procedures and environmental assessments, and in dealing with both professional contacts and the general public.
• This knowledge is considered to be normally acquired either through the successful completion of a four year university education in an appropriate field or by having the equivalent level of education.

Experience:

• Requires experience in urban and regional planning, forestry, agriculture, etc, to become familiar with a range of aspects of land use and environmental planning and mitigation of construction impacts.
• Requires experience to become familiar with environmental problems peculiar to utilities, the preparation and presentation of environmental assessments, and the construction of bulk transmission facilities.
• Requires experience in conducting studies, preparing proposals and coordinating contract administration activities for minor projects of assigned components of major projects.
• Requires experience in public presentation processes to ensure satisfactory communication with external contacts and the general public.
• Requires experience with the organizational interrelationships, standards, procedures and practices.
• Requires following all Hydro One Inc. regulations and practices.
• A period of over 4 years and up to and including 6 years is considered necessary to gain this experience.