Project Manager I

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 and environmentally sustainable cities. 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, reconciliation, 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 Project Manager – Environmental Protection (EP Project Manager) is a senior professional position involving strategic decision-making, negotiations with third-parties, problem-solving, customer service and team operational support. This position is responsible for leading environmental reviews of complex development projects, environmental source control and pollution prevention programs, and managing a portfolio of other concurrent projects that vary in range from small to complex to support Environmental Services. The EP Project Manager is involved in managing overall systems to support project delivery and in all phases of specific projects including environmental policy, standards, program and tools development, project management, and delivery of business results and improvements, to support the on-going development of Environmental Services. The EP Project Manager also provides strategic direction and oversight to the City’s environmental emergency response program.

The EP Project Manager is responsible for the timely delivery of projects and initiatives to a high level of quality to meet the City’s environmental regulatory obligations and greenest City goals.

Specific Duties/Responsibilities

• Provides strategic advice on how to meet environmental requirements in context of City-wide goals and objectives.
• Provides environmental expertise and developing proactive strategies to support informed City decision-making pertaining to community planning and major development proposals, including providing strategic advice, proactively negotiating re-zonings and managing complex development applications, and working with other City departments to arrive at optimum solutions to meet City requirements and manage project environmental issues and risks.
• Implements rezoning and development conditions through coordinating the department’s review, providing instructions to Legal Services, reviewing draft agreements, and preparing memos and reports.
• Represents Environmental Services in multi-disciplinary project technical teams that process large and/or complex developments.
• Identifies environmental risks and business improvement opportunities, conducting strategic problem solving and preparing business case descriptions, and implementing approved initiatives.
• Manages all aspects of small to complex projects and initiatives to support the City’s Environmental Services programs, including performing project management activities including defining project scope, objectives, management strategy and approach, report updates, deliverables, and quality measurements to meet business needs.
• Reviews and updates environmental standards and requirements, including creating and updating technical guidelines.
• Actively manages project teams to successfully deliver projects by specifying deliverables, timelines and quality expectations, making effective recommendations and providing regular project status updates.
• Focuses on ensuring consistency and quality in project delivery across Environmental Services, including refining and updating project management policies, procedures and tools.
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science, Planning or related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in the environmental industry in a leadership capacity managing complex environmental projects and initiatives, including experience in environmental consulting or environmental management within other municipal or government organizations, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Industry experience in environmental management, including risk assessment, regulatory compliance, environmental investigations, and environmental planning and policy development.
• Experience negotiating development projects and familiarity with municipal development approval processes is an asset.
• Registered or eligible to be registered as a professional in good standing with one or more of Engineers and Geoscientists of BC (P. Eng., or P. Geo.), British Columbia Institute of Agrologists (P.Ag.), College of Applied Biology (R.P.Bio.), or ECO Canada (EP) is an asset.
• A Master’s degree is an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge and experience in environmental best practices and of federal and provincial environmental legislation and laws and their relationship with municipal services, with particular knowledge and understanding of the Environmental Management Act, including applicable regulations and its applicability to the City of Vancouver.
• Considerable knowledge of Vancouver’s environmental, economic and social context.
• Considerable knowledge of the complexities of local government.
• Ability to effectively negotiate complex issues with developers in the best interest of the City and advance a wide range of environmental projects, including strategies, plans, policies, bylaws and implementation programs.
• Ability to build relationships and influence others while respecting the sensitive and political challenges that impact decisions.
• Ability to focus on details, while maintaining a balanced high-level view of a project or initiative.
• Ability to work in a collaborative, fast paced, team environment.
• Strong project management skills, including demonstrated ability to lead and participate on diverse teams (e.g., involving multi-disciplinary professionals, unionized staff, etc.), manage multiple projects and processes with competing schedules and resources, and deliver complex array of services and projects.
• Strategic thinking and creative problem solving, with demonstrated ability to effectively navigate complex situations and accomplish goals.
• Skilled in conflict resolution with the ability to identify and avoid (or mitigate) potential pitfalls and problems areas and resolve conflicts arising within project teams or in interactions with external parties in the most advantageous manner to all parties involved while meeting City interests.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and advanced presentation skills, including demonstrated ability to translate technical information into material that can be easily understood by a broad audience.
• Ability to meet transportation requirements.

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work a hybrid work 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.

Affiliation: Exempt

Employment Type: Regular Full Time

Position Start Date: May, 2025

Salary Information: Pay Grade RNG-080: $97032 to $121294 per annum

Application Close: April 25, 2025

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.