Highlights of the job

EPCOR's Water Services group (EWS) is excited to announce a full-time, permanent opportunity for a Controls and Automation Engineering Senior Manager. This role is part of the Linear Asset Operations Team and provides engineering services to all Canadian water operational sites.

The Control and Automation Engineering Senior Manager plays a critical role in ensuring the performance, reliability, and accuracy of EPCOR's Water Services (EWS) control and monitoring systems. These systems span across EPCOR's operations, including:

• Two Water Treatment Plants (Rossdale and E.L. Smith),
• The Gold Bar Wastewater Facility,
• Waste Water Collection systems,
• Water transmission and distribution systems,
• Regional operations in Fort McMurray, Southern Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and British Columbia.

Key accountabilities include maintaining system reliability and security, as well as meeting operational outcomes within a strategic timeframe of up to two years. The role encompasses the engineering design and implementation of control and monitoring system infrastructure to support EWS's business units.

Moreover, the Senior Manager is responsible for ensuring that control and monitoring system designs and execution align seamlessly with EPCOR's future advanced automation requirements, plans, and long-term vision.

We welcome applications from both current EPCOR employees and external candidates. Current employees are reminded to use their "@epcor.com" email address when submitting their applications.

What you’d be responsible for

You are accountable to the Linear Asset Operations Director and will have the following key accountabilities (but are not limited to these):

• Developing a thorough understanding of Water & Wastewater Services Control, Monitoring & Automation functions. Providing added value through supporting and enabling operational success across all EWS operations.
• Developing capital plans and budgets for EWS’s control and monitoring systems.
• Setting and enforcing cyber security policies and representing water at the EPCOR Cybersecurity Governance Council.
• Implementation of the requirements of the Water Professional Practice Management Plan to ensure compliance with APEGA while acting as a designated Responsible Member.
• Maintaining EWS control, monitoring and automation systems to provide required up time and accurate data.
• Designing EWS control, monitoring, and automation systems to meet EWS operational requirements.
• Designing, developing, and implementing monitoring systems aligned with integrated operational plans.
• Planning 
  • Developing an operational plan that translates the function strategy into executable objectives (1-2 years).
  • Defining clear priorities and actions for the upcoming annual work plan.
  • Ensuring integration and alignment with other business plans.
  • Identifying the necessary budget and human resource requirements to deliver services, processes or operations.
• Operational Excellence 
  • Monitoring advancements in technologies and industry practices that can benefit EPCOR.
  • Identifying, implementing, and monitoring opportunities for continuous improvement or broader transformation of the function.
  • Assessing organizational readiness to engage in change efforts and developing and executing change management plans to promote engagement and mitigate risks.
• Execution
  • Providing clear direction required to execute the business plan.
  • Ensuring the alignment of activities, addressing issues/problems/concerns, and responding to shifts in priorities.
  • Monitoring metrics to assess performance; tracking, reporting, and implementing corrective measures as needed to resolve issues.
  • Ensuring practices, processes, and systems are utilized in such a way that work is completed safely and efficiently.
• Relationships
  • Building and maintaining effective cross-functional relationships to seek information or create effective solutions.
  • Consulting with stakeholders creating understanding about issues, concerns, or opportunities.
• Cyber Security
  • Managing and maintaining EWS’s control and monitoring systems cyber security in alignment with EPCOR’s standards, practices, and risk tolerance in relation to cyber security.
  • Educating EWSI employees and management on cyber security policies and requirements.
• Control and Monitoring Systems Operation
  • Ensuring the Edmonton WTPs and WWTP control systems and WWC and Water Operations monitoring systems provide reliable operation and accurate information to Operations and advanced integrated support systems.
  • Designing and implementing control and monitoring systems.
  • Supporting and maintaining EWS’s control and monitoring systems.

What’s required to be successful

Qualifications, experience and behaviours you possess are:

• Completion of a Degree in Engineering from a recognized post-secondary educational institute.
• Recognition by APEGA as a Professional Engineer in good standing.
• Experience that includes:
  • 10+ years’ related/similar work.
  • 3+ years’ managing a team of professionals comprised of in scope, out of scope and contract employees. 
  • Union Management and collective bargaining relations.
• Well-developed ability to lead diverse teams being respectful of team skill set and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion criteria.
• Familiarity of operational and capital finance practices along with ties to regulatory impacts.
• Capability to manage budgets and make risk based financial decisions - focusing on translating long term strategy into executable operational plans.
• Aware of organizational risks and impacts regarding cyber security, safety and environmental incidents, brand reputation, and revenue adjustments.
• Working knowledge of:
  • Control, Monitoring, Instrumentation and Automation systems
  • Cyber security requirements of OT/IT systems
• Demonstrated ability to understand EWS operational needs/drivers and liaise effectively with operational groups to address those needs with mutually beneficial solutions.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.

Continuous Improvement - You consistently look for ways to improve; proactively identify and solve problems. Focus improvements on the process not the person/group; looking for root causes and long-term solutions over quick fixes and openly (and respectfully) communicate problems with teams to engage all perspectives to find solutions.

Acts with Integrity – You are trustworthy, fair and able to keep confidences. Brings forward situations thought to be inappropriate or inconsistent with EPCOR’s policies and values and creates a respectful work environment where ideas are challenged and people feel trusted and safe.

Humility – You seek input, listen carefully and continuously learn to create an environment where people are respected and encouraged to share their abilities. When new ideas are presented, give credit and help research, support and implement them. You seek and accept feedback and look for ways to implement and take ownership of mistakes, rectify the situation and share learnings.

Drive for Results – You establish and clearly communicate performance standards, ensuring priorities, needs, and expectations are well-defined. By providing constructive feedback when standards are not met, you implement actionable plans to address and resolve performance challenges. Collaborating with the team, you break down goals into attainable steps and develop strategic approaches to achieve them. You proactively improve systems and work methods to enhance efficiency and effectiveness while anticipating and addressing potential obstacles to ensure the successful execution of plans and attainment of results.

Demonstrating an Enterprise Perspective – You possess a strong ability to view the business holistically, aligning your insights with the corporate strategy to shape the Business Unit’s plan. By transforming these strategic goals into clear and actionable objectives for your team, you drive meaningful progress. Your decision-making is thoughtful and comprehensive, considering all available options and recognizing the ripple effects of your choices both within and beyond your business unit

Gain Support – You excel at persuading and convincing others by meticulously preparing data, documentation, and facts to reinforce your position in presentations or discussions. You craft clear, logical, and concise arguments that effectively present your perspective, while thoughtfully weighing the pros and cons of alternative approaches. By considering others’ viewpoints and putting yourself in their shoes, you gain deeper understanding and adapt your responses accordingly, attuned to both spoken and unspoken cues.

Focus on Operations - You prioritize the safe and reliable operation of your work area by creating and implementing practical safety and operational procedures that cultivate a culture of safety and efficiency. Actively involving employees, you gather their feedback on challenges and areas for improvement in safety and operations. You communicate updates and changes to processes clearly and effectively, ensuring they resonate with front-line employees. By helping them understand their roles and the significance of these procedures, you empower the team to maintain a safe and productive work environment.

Leading Teams – You excel at building and leading high-performing teams by communicating roles and expectations with clarity and precision. You ensure team members have access to the tools, information, and resources they need to succeed. By actively involving the team in planning, problem-solving, and decision-making processes on matters that impact them, you foster a culture of collaboration and innovation. You encourage their contributions and ideas, maintaining a sharp focus on key priorities while eliminating distractions and addressing any barriers to success.

Leadership Maturity - You possess a well-developed ability to self-manage effectively, acknowledging limitations as opportunities for growth and learning, while positively influencing those around you. You exhibit strong emotional self-awareness, maintaining composure and responding calmly in challenging situations. You actively seek constructive feedback from others, using it to refine and enhance your behavior. Your actions align with both EPCOR’s values and your personal principles, such as honesty and trustworthiness, ensuring consistency and follow-through in your commitments.

Other important facts about this job

This is a professional level position and that typically works Monday to Friday (40 hours per week)

Current EPCOR Employees please ensure that you are using your “@epcor.com” email address for Seniority purposes.

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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, successfully attained a high school diploma (GED, or equivalent level of secondary education) 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.
• Prior infractions for unsafe driving behaviours will be evaluated and considered for non-selection regardless of current demerits on file.