Environmental Engineering Technologist

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Job Summary

The incumbent has the sole responsibility for the operational requirements of the environmental engineering laboratories and other areas that use chemical and biological processes within the Department of Civil Engineering. This includes the undergraduate environmental laboratory courses and overseeing undergraduate students and teaching assistants in an industrial laboratory environment. The incumbent provides leadership and training to all other technologists and researchers working in Chemical/Biological laboratories.

• Requires advanced expertise and organizational skills to ensure that undergraduate laboratories are equipped with instrumentation, special glassware and supplies for the experimental requirements for each course. Ensures that the instrumentation and equipment is maintained and calibrated. Anticipates and provides solutions to equipment problems for minimal interruption of laboratory sessions. The incumbent has direct input on experiment design and facilitates continual improvement for the laboratory component of several courses.
• Requires in-depth knowledge of instrumentation and test equipment to train staff, faculty and students for laboratory coursework and research projects and evaluates students suitability for use of hazardous equipment. Recommends new equipment and performs the installation and commissioning of this equipment.
• Uses broad knowledge and experience to assist faculty members, graduate students and research professionals in design, fabrication and maintenance of specialized research equipment used in the laboratory and in field research projects.
• The incumbent instructs a section of CIVL801 (Departmental Safety in the Laboratory) in collaboration with course instructor, key contributor in the Department's on-line course requirements for graduate students and others, as a requirement to be granted access to chemical/biological laboratories.
• Uses advanced expertise to perform safety hazard risk assessments to mitigate risks due to chemical and biological hazards present. Delivers safety training to incoming graduate students and other personnel. Exercises vigilance over safety in all areas of the Department, and is a member of the safety committee. Provides leadership and professional integrity in responding to emergencies in undergraduate and research laboratories.
• Purchases laboratory and field equipment, instrumentation and supplies for research projects and undergraduate courses. Coordinates the procurement for all chemicals and other hazardous substances through the university HECHMET system. Arranges for disposal of chemical/biological waste through Environmental Health and Safety HECHMET system. Uses qualifications and training to coordinate the transportation of all hazardous sample shipments and deliveries using the appropriate Transportation of Dangerous Goods or Canadian Food Inspection Agency guidelines and protocols. Maintains database inventories for equipment and instrumentation for all environmental laboratories and for HECHMET system.
• Coordinates requests for building and equipment maintenance with Physical Plant Services and external contractors.

The incumbent is expected to manage multiple conflicting priorities using their own judgement. They exercise a high degree of confidentiality and personal integrity when involved with contract research projects and with university tendering procedures. Relied on to evaluate students ability to operate hazardous equipment and reports to manager anyone unable to meet the established criteria.

Job Description

2. To fulfill your duties what knowledge, skills and specialised techniques are required? How would each be normally acquired? How long would it take to become proficient in each of the areas of your work?

This position requires a minimum of an Ontario (3 year) diploma in Chemical or Environmental Engineering Technology and several years of practical experience in the field of environmental engineering or a bachelor's degree from an appropriate discipline in science or engineering.

• Advanced expertise in providing instrumentation needs analysis for a wide range of projects
• In-depth knowledge in environmental testing practices, which includes expertise in preparing test samples and standard solutions for analytical testing, precise measuring and weighing of chemicals and solvents used in lab experiments, developing test methods to be used with analytical instrumentation, including quality control and quality assurance
• Expertise in design, assembly, maintenance and repair of bench and pilot scale equipment used in undergraduate and research laboratories
• Effective skills in troubleshooting related to the repair of equipment and instrumentation.
• In-depth knowledge of the properties of chemicals, chemical mixtures and biological agents for safe use, storage, handling and disposal
• Advanced knowledge of laboratory best practices (safety, technique, housekeeping) for Biological Level 2 regulatory requirements
• Demonstrates highly effective judgement in a role of authority in laboratories
• Broad knowledge of safe work practices to comply with regulations set out under the Occupational Health & Safety Act, the University's purchasing policies and procedures, and government safety regulations related to chemical and biological laboratories and hazardous substance use/control/storage/disposal, as well as the Transportation of Dangerous Goods and Canadian Food Inspection Agency protocols.
• Takes leadership role in handling emergencies
• Strong organizational, time management and interpersonal skills
• Leadership and presentation skills required for training faculty, staff and students in lab best practice and for operation of equipment and instrumentation.

Proficiency should be reached within three years' in the position but continuous on-the-job training, workshops, seminars and self-study are necessary to keep abreast of the latest developments. Must have the ability to stay current with rapidly evolving research and instrumentation developments.

3. Is it necessary in this position to oversee the work of or to instruct other staff! If so, what does this involve?

The incumbent is responsible for training students, faculty and co-workers who work in the undergraduate and research laboratories in the proper testing procedures, operation of various testing equipment and analytical instruments.

• Provides direction and guidance to other technical staff when working in chemical/biological laboratories for collaborative work assignments
• Collaborates with the instructor for CIVL801 (Departmental Safety in the Laboratory and in the Field) and is a presenter for the Department's on-line graduate level safety course. Trains and evaluates students and research staff on equipment and on laboratory best practices.
• Oversees the work of service personnel commissioned to work on analytical instrumentation and other lab facilities. The incumbent may oversee the work of a part­ time lab assistant from time to time.

4. What other people must you deal with in this job and why? (I.e. is there direct contact with students, teaching staff, other department, people outside the university community)

• Daily interactions with undergraduate students, teaching assistants and academic staff on matters pertaining to undergraduate laboratory coursework.
• Interacts with graduate students, faculty members and research associates for collaboration on research projects.
• Builds good working relationships with other groups to resource goods and services from other departments within the university and from external suppliers and contractors.
• Regularly liaises with the Environmental Health and Safety Department in matters related to chemical procurement, storage, waste disposal and on safety plans involving biological or designated substance use.
• Represents the Department when dealing with issues such as the chemical data base (HECHMET), regulated scientific equipment, dangerous goods permits and biohazard permits.
• Interacts with students and faculty from other engineering and science departments for course related service requests or for research purposes (eg. APSC 480).
• The incumbent routinely makes building service requests and oversees Physical Plant staff and outside contractors performing service work.

5. How is your work assigned to you and how closely is your work checked by someone else?

The incumbent works independently and reports to the Department Manager. The incumbent normally receives requests directly from faculty members, research professionals, staff, graduate and undergraduate students.

The incumbent identifies equipment needs and participates in discussions on new equipment purchases and on the improvement of existing apparatus and works directly with the course instructors and faculty researchers on those projects.

6. a) Are the sorts of problems encountered in this job usually covered by established procedures or do you frequently have to develop or invent solutions to problems yourself?

Problems encountered differ widely and solutions are developed according to special circumstances. A significant part of the job is applying well-developed trouble-shooting techniques in the undergraduate and research laboratories. The course instructor or researcher provides general information and performance criteria which the incumbent uses to design, construct and assemble apparatus for experiments. The incumbent continually reviews the experimental processes and recommends changes to the instructor or researcher.

b) Are you involved in establishing standard procedures?

The Environmental Engineering Technologist will, upon completion of a modification to equipment, develop guidelines for safe operation and maintenance. All experimental work is reviewed by the incumbent and regulated hazardous work must have a safety plan that is developed and/or reviewed by the incumbent, the Department Manager and the Principal Investigator. The incumbent establishes the standard procedures for equipment and for the efficient and effective use of laboratory space.

7. a) What is the size of your department (i.e. # of classes for which you are involved with labs., # of students, # of staff you might come in contact with, # of technicians in department)

Number of Undergraduate courses involved = 6 Number of Undergraduate Students = 300 + Number of Graduate Students = 120
Number of Faculty Members = 18 Number of Technical Staff = 7 Number of Research Associates = 10 Number of Administrative Staff = 3 Number of Managerial Staff = 2

b) What kind of equipment or material are you responsible for? Are you solely responsible for it and what is its approximate value?

The incumbent maintains laboratory facilities and equipment valued at $3-million; the undergraduate equipment is valued at $I-million and the research equipment is valued at
$2-million.


8. Give details of any unusual factors affecting this job? I.e. hazards, unusual working conditions, requirement for a high degree of manual dexterity, etc.

There are a variety of unusual factors that affect the job. The Technologist must:

• Deal with conflicting demands on their time, such as multiple simultaneous tasks and frequent interruptions,
• Maintain delicate and expensive lab equipment,
• Occasionally spend considerable time in noisy, distracting, or dirty environments,
• Occasionally move heavy objects (test equipment, cooling baths, etc.),
• Work in areas where hazardous chemicals are used and stored,
• Work with hazardous chemicals and biological agents,
• Work with and/or handle all chemicals and bottled gases (potential explosion),
• Occasionally work in a machine shop environment with its inherent hazards,
• Spend extended periods of time sitting at a keyboard and in front of a video monitor,
• Work in areas where destructive testing equipment is operated and potentially serious consequences are possible,
• Deal with difficult or upset students.

Employment Equity and Accessibility Statement

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen's is strongly committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and encourages applications from Black, racialized persons, Indigenous people, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQI+ persons. In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements, priority will be given to those who are legally eligible to work in Canada.

The University provides support in its recruitment processes to all applicants who require accommodation due to a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code, including those with disabilities.