Permitting & Enforcement Officer

Metro Vancouver; Burnaby; On-site; CAD 89,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Metro Vancouver seeks a Permitting & Enforcement Officer to ensure compliance with its air and wastewater regulations, inspect facilities, collect evidence, and draft permit amendments. You’ll explain regulatory authority to businesses and the public while investigating complaints and coordinating enforcement actions.

You are a science technologist with attention to detail and the ability to defuse tension, passionate about the environment, and eager to improve air quality in the region.

Qualifications

• Completion of a diploma from a recognized Institute of Technology with emphasis on Chemistry and pollution control; sound related experience or equivalent.
• Membership or eligibility for membership as an Applied Science Technologist with the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of B.C.
• Thorough knowledge of legislation and regulations governing the work.
• Considerable knowledge of the pollution potential of industrial plants in a large urban area.
• Knowledge of air pollution and sewer discharge control methods and solid waste management.
• Ability to obtain cooperation of industries and the public through education and persuasion to resolve pollution complaints.
• Ability to research available pollution literature, conduct investigations and establish contaminant levels and permits.
• Ability to inspect a wide variety of industrial plants and sites and enforce compliance.
• Ability to provide support to the stack testing program and data entry.
• Ability to drive a vehicle in an assigned area.

Responsibilities

• Review permits and applications to locate potential emissions and research air quality literature.
• Draft permits for air emission control and related reports for review.
• Explain Metro Vancouver’s regulatory role to businesses and the public.
• Investigate liquid waste discharges and set effluent limits.
• Inspect plants for compliance with air, wastewater and solid waste bylaws.
• Monitor territory for emissions and record observations.
• Evaluate installation applications and set emission levels and procedures.
• Enforce permit compliance and issue violation notices.
• Respond to pollution complaints and coordinate resolutions.
• Educate industries and public on emission controls and prevention.
• Support Sampling Technician during emission tests.
• Prepare files and maintain air emission, liquid waste and solid waste databases.
• Participate in special projects and literature reviews.

Skills

Attention to detail

Interpersonal skills

Environmental interest

Communication skills

Research capability

Data entry

Education

Diploma in Tech (Chemistry & pollution control)

Applied Science Technologist (ASTTBC) membership/eligibility

Job description

Position Status: Full-Time Temporary (This position to last not later than December 31, 2027)
Department: Environmental Regulation & Enforcement
Employee Group: Teamsters Local 31
Location: 4515 Central Boulevard, Burnaby
Salary Range/ Wage Rate: PG T25 $3,434.33 - $4,054.93 bi-weekly

Our Environmental Regulation & Enforcement Department is seeking a Permitting & Enforcement Officer who will ensure compliance with Metro Vancouver’s Non-Road Diesel Emission Regulation, assigned air quality permits, liquid waste permits, and emission regulations; inspect non-road diesel powered equipment at construction and industrial sites; respond to air quality complaints by analyzing air quality and meteorological data, inspecting facilities, conducting odour surveys, and collecting evidence; draft memoranda recommending permit amendments, acceptance of plans or reports, and ticket issuance; explain Metro Vancouver’s role and regulatory authority to businesses and members of the public.

You are: A science technologist with an eye for detail, the ability to defuse interpersonal tension, a keen interest in the environment, and a desire to improve the quality of air we breathe.

This role:

• Reviews building permits, business licenses, and permit applications to locate and check on potential air emissions and researches available air quality literature; recommends contaminant permit levels and compliance criteria based upon legislative intent and guidelines, industry standards, control technology and the particular circumstances of the permitted industry; drafts new and amended permits for air emission control and writes related reports for a superior's review; obtains permittee's understanding of restriction rationale and negotiates permit specifications; prepares draft approvals for short term discharges.
• Investigates direct and indirect industrial liquid waste discharges to sewer systems; prepares reports and drafts permits establishing maximum limits and criteria for a wide variety of effluent parameters; investigates and reports industrial causes for unusual sewage treatment plant upsets or events; inspects, assesses and determines acceptability to sewage treatment plants of liquid waste to be discharged from commercial and industrial septic and holding tanks; establishes and obtains specific industry agreement for the upgrading of effluent treatment systems; determines need for and collects representative waste water samples for analysis by laboratory.
• Inspects industrial plants and sites, both permitted and unpermitted, for compliance with air, waste water and solid waste bylaws; assesses contaminants generated, determines plant emission and discharge points, processes and performance levels, and assesses compliance with permit restrictions or need for a new or amended permit to be issued; records aesthetic and opacity observations, and writes site inspection reports.
• Monitors assigned territory to identify new potential industrial air, waste water or solid waste problems and to verify compliance of permitted sources; surveys assigned territory periodically for smoke, odour or particulate violations and performs and records opacity measurements and aesthetic observations of permitted sources to assess compliance.
• Evaluates installation applications for control equipment, prepares installation and operating permits and examines final construction for compliance with relevant by-laws and regulations; inspects existing control equipment, sets maximum emission levels, criteria and operating procedures; advises operators of recommended operating procedures and drafts letters of repair, replacement or shutdown.
• Enforces permit compliance by determining violation occurrence; discusses violations and compliance requirements with perpetrator; drafts letters and notices of violation to secure control of unauthorized sources; and gathers evidence to prosecute under the applicable legislation.
• Answers pollution complaints from the public, determines nature and extent of problem and amount of investigation required; investigates and collects information; ensures corrective action is taken where appropriate and communicates problem and its resolution to inquirer’s satisfaction; may draft reply letters for a superior's review.
• Discusses, educates, informs and provides technical assistance to obtain cooperation of industries and the public on air emission control and prevention measures to bring a satisfactory conclusion to air quality problems and exceedances.
• Provides support and assistance to the Sampling Technician during emission compliance tests by assembling equipment, observing plant operation during the tests and ensuring tests are conducted under typical plant operating conditions.
• Prepares and maintains related files, reports and documentation; prepares site plans and maintains air emission, liquid waste and solid waste databases using a micro-computer; and utilizes a computer terminal to enter and retrieve complaint data.
• Performs assigned special projects such as conducting reference library searches or participating as member of special committees; reviews literature in air quality management field; attends related meetings, seminars and conferences to maintain awareness of current developments.

To be successful, you have:

• Completion of a diploma from a recognized Institute of Technology with emphasis on Chemistry and pollution control. Sound related experience OR an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Membership or eligibility for membership as an Applied Science Technologist with the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of B.C.
• Thorough knowledge of legislation and regulations governing the work.
• Considerable knowledge of the pollution potential of industrial plants, commercial operations and government installations in a large urban area.
• Considerable knowledge of the chemical and physical reasons for the pollution by products of a variety of plant processes.
• Considerable knowledge of current air pollution and sewer discharge control and prevention methods and equipment, and of solid waste management methods.
• Ability to obtain the cooperation of industries and the public through education, discussion, guidance and persuasion and to answer, investigate and resolve pollution complaints from the public.
• Ability to research available pollution literature, conduct investigations and collect evidence, establish contaminant levels and compliance criteria, and prepare air pollution permits, solid waste licenses, and liquid waste permits.
• Ability to inspect a wide variety of industrial plants and sites, to patrol and survey an assigned area to monitor emissions and to enforce legislative and permit compliance.
• Ability to provide support and assistance to the stack testing program, to prepare and maintain related records and use a computer terminal for data entry and retrieval, to perform special projects, and to maintain awareness of current developments in pollution control fields.
• Ability to use a micro-computer to prepare site plans and other documents and to maintain databases related to the work.
• Ability to conduct inspections and assist the Sampling Technician in a variety of test situations and weather conditions and to drive a vehicle in an assigned area with all kinds of traffic, route and weather variables.
• Skill in setting up and using air pollution control devices, detecting pollutants, and gathering samples.
• Valid Driver's Licence for B.C.

Our Vision

Metro Vancouver embraces collaboration and innovation in providing sustainable regional services that contribute to a livable and resilient region and a healthy natural environment for current and future generations.

Metro Vancouver employees proudly serve the region and demonstrate the behaviours and attributes of six leadership competencies: Accountability, Adaptability, Building and Nurturing Relationships, Communication, Continuous Learning, and Strategic Thinking and Action.

At Metro Vancouver, we are committed to cultivating a diverse, safe, equitable, and inclusive work environment for all. We strive to attract and retain a talented, diverse workforce that is reflective of the region we serve. If an accommodation is required during the recruitment and selection process, please contact [e-mail] for support. Learn more about our commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion here .