Highlights of the job

We are hiring one (1) FT Permanent Process Development Technologist, working out of the E. L. Smith Water Treatment Plant in Edmonton, AB.

As the Process Development Technologist, you will be accountable for operating and maintaining pilot plant facilities at the E. L. Smith WTP and analyzing water samples to support ongoing research activities. These activities require completing experimental procedures within established timelines and with sufficient precision to fulfill experimental objectives.

What you'd be responsible for

Reporting to the Process Development Manager, the Process Development Technologist will be accountable for, but not limited to:

• Providing input to the Process Development Team (PDT) Manager's plans and directions, and ensuring on-going appropriate relationships with other positions.
• Participating in developing experimental procedures and methods for new projects.
• Demonstrating a high performance, high discipline, safe, accountable, focused, innovative and achievement-oriented, easy-to-do-business-with manner of working.
• Pilot Plant Duties: (~30% of time)
  • Operating, maintaining and troubleshooting equipment and on-line analyzers
  • Identifying pilot equipment needs and supplies to be purchased
  • Providing input to plans for upgrading pilot plant equipment
• Lab Work: (~30% of time)
  • Collecting samples from pilot plant and full-scale plant process locations
  • Performing routine water quality analyses with equipment including a TOC analyzer, zeta potential meter and a UV/VIS spectrophotometer
  • Conducting bench-scale water treatability tests using a jar test apparatus
• Data Processing: (~20% of time)
  • Entering results from laboratory analyses
  • Extracting data from plant SCADA systems
  • Validating data in keeping with established quality assurance criteria
  • Preparing presentation quality graphs to illustrate experimental results or trends in plant processes
  • Contributing to technical reports and in-house presentations
  • Providing preliminary interpretations of water quality data, formulating conclusions, and making recommendations for next steps in terms of additional testing or process changes
• Oversight of Temporary Workers: (~20% of time)
  • Training student workers to perform routine tasks
  • Ensuring students follow safe work practices in the lab, pilot plant and plant process locations.

What's required to be successful

Qualifications, experience and behaviours you possess are:

Education:

• Successful completion of a two year post-secondary diploma in Engineering Technology or related field is required. An undergraduate degree in science or engineering will be considered an asset.
• Certification (or eligibility for certification) as an Engineering Technologist (C.E.T.) with A.S.E.T.

Experience:

• 4+ years of directly related experience
  • Candidates with a minimum of 2 years' experience (and a 2-year Engineering Technologist diploma) may be considered in a developmental role.
• At least one year of hands-on experience operating pilot or full-scale water treatment facilities.
• At least one year of laboratory experience in analyzing water quality parameters.
• Experience and understanding of Public Health, as it relates to drinking water quality as a determinant of health.
• Assets:
  • Troubleshooting and solving process-related problems.
  • Familiarity with pumps and motor operation, basic understanding of plumbing and the ability to use hand tools.
  • Developing standard operating procedures where none exist due to the experimental nature of the work.
  • Conducting flavour profile analysis (FPA) panels in support of spring run-off activities.

Knowledge and Technical Skills:

• Understanding of water treatment unit processes as they relate to water chemistry and treated water quality requirements.
• Skills in support of pilot operations, including troubleshooting and use of SCADA systems.

• Basic comprehension of experimental design and statistical techniques for processing data.
• Understanding of drinking water public health issues and the relevance of Canadian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines, particularly for lead.
• Proven hands-on familiarity with analytical methods for water quality analyses.
• Data processing skills and ability to interpret water quality results. Use of Excel or similar data processing software for processing and graphing results.
• Solid understanding of laboratory quality assurance and quality control practices, laboratory safety, and emergency procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to write technical reports, standard operating procedures, and safe work plans.

As the top candidate, you have excellent communication (verbal and written) skills, namely the ability to listen to others' ideas and visualize how they would be put into practice, with the ability to express your own ideas in a logical and clear manner. You have a cooperative, collaborative and approachable manner when working with operations personnel (or other QA&E staff), as you often seek their input. Attention to detail combined with sound judgement and problem solving skills are essential for success in the role. Other demonstrated competencies required for this position include strong analytical and organizational skills and well-developed critical thinking skills.

Other important facts about this job

Jurisdiction: CSU52

Class: T2

Wage: Starting at $43.43 (Final Wage and Step will be determined at the time of selection and are subject to change based on the ratification of the new Collective Agreement.)

Hours of work: 75 hours bi-weekly, Monday to Friday

Application deadline: August 5, 2021

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Please note the following information:

• A requirement of working for EPCOR is that you are at least 18 years of age and legally entitled to work in Canada. (A copy of a valid work permit may be required.)
• If you are considered for the position, clearance on all applicable background checks (which may include criminal, identity, educational, and/or credit) and professional reference checks is required. Some EPCOR positions require an enhanced level of background assessment, which is dictated by law. These positions require advanced criminal record checks that must also be conducted from time to time after commencement of employment.
• A technical/practical assessment may be administered during the selection process and this exercise will be used as a part of the selection criterion.
• To meet the physical demands required of some positions, candidates must be in good physical condition and willing to work in all weather conditions. Clearance on pre-placement medical and drug and alcohol testing may be required.