Manager, Design and Construction - Wastewater

JOB SUMMARY

The City of Ottawa operates a single, critical wastewater treatment facility, the Robert O. Pickard Environmental Centre, which has served the community for more than 60 years and has expanded alongside the city’s growth. As a cornerstone of public health and environmental protection, the facility now requires significant renewal investment as major systems reach the end of their service life. 

Over the next decade, the City is planning approximately $1 billion in wastewater investments, representing a substantial portion of the overall infrastructure capital program. To support this level of activity, the department is focused on modernizing project delivery, strengthening coordination across service areas, and fostering a highly collaborative, forward-looking organizational culture. 

To help lead this transformation during a period of intense capital delivery, the City is seeking a temporary Manager who will play a key role in advancing integrated planning, improving delivery practices, and supporting teams through change at one of the City’s most essential facilities. 

The Manager will lead a temporary project team responsible for research, capacity building, process optimization, and cultural change initiatives specific to capital delivery at the Robert O. Pickard Environmental Centre (ROPEC). The role will introduce clear definitions of project success, embed quality assurance and continuous improvement practices, and support agile delivery models that respond to ROPEC’s evolving needs. A key focus will be fostering trust and building strong communication across teams through effective change management.  

This position is distinct from the existing Design and Construction Manager for water facilities. The current Manager focuses on capital design and construction delivery and compliance, while the new temporary Manager will lead business transformation and unified project delivery improvements specific to ROPEC infrastructure investment strategy over the next decade.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Completion of 4 year university degree in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Engineering or other related field.

Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in managing the delivery of design and construction services, including a minimum of 5 years in the management of human resources and external contract resources, and management of operating and capital budgets, preferably in a municipal setting.

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENCES

KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge in the provision of architecture, engineering and landscape architecture for the design and construction of buildings, parks and other municipal initiatives, including standards/practices, legislation, policies and related procedures
• The City of Ottawa and its policies and procedures
• Legislation, policies, regulations and guidelines relevant to the operational area
• Development and implementation of long range and short term strategies 
• Trends and developments in the buildings and parks environment
• Current architectural, engineering, landscape architectural and related technical procedures
• Management principles, planning, budgeting and supervision techniques and practices
• Economic and statistical analysis and research techniques
• Policy and program analysis, development, implementation and evaluation techniques
• Performance measurement and management practices
• Financial and other related business practices
• Contract document preparation, the tendering process and supervision of field services
• Working knowledge of corporate human resource policies, practices and collective agreements related to managing in a unionized environment, including hiring, dismissal, performance management and the grievance procedure
• Methods used to deal with the media in a professional manner
• Computer applications, including MS Office, AutoCAD, MicroStation, Project Management Tools
• Must be familiar with applicable health and safety legislation, have knowledge of any potential or actual danger to health or safety in the work place, and have knowledge of appropriate actions to be taken in order to ensure the health and safety of staff in accordance with applicable legislation and City policies and procedures.

COMPETENCIES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Core Behaviours
Core behaviours define the City's expectations of the behaviours employees should demonstrate in performing their work.  They are reflective of the City's culture and values and guide all our present and future activities.  Every employee is encouraged to learn, embody, and demonstrate these core behaviours.

Review the Core Behaviours.

Leadership Competencies
The City has defined key competencies that leaders are expected to embody and demonstrate to successfully move the organization towards achieving its strategic objectives and create an organizational culture that supports and empowers employees to excel, grow and reach their full potential. These leadership competencies and associated behaviours are expected to be demonstrated by leaders at all levels of the organization. 

Review the Leadership Competencies.