Careers

Technical Services Manager

REPORTS TO: General Manager

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Position Overview

The Technical Services Manager is responsible for planning, supervising, and executing all engineering and technical functions within the district. This role includes oversight of the Alberta Irrigation Modernization (AIM) Irrigation Rehabilitation Program (IRP) and the district’s Irrigation Works Reserve (IWR) Program, ensuring all projects align with approved policies and budgets.

As a member of the district’s Leadership Team, this position oversees the Engineering department and provides technical guidance, project management, and strategic planning while ensuring compliance with APEGA standards and LNID’s Professional Practice Management Plan (PPMP). The Technical Services Manager works collaboratively with the General Manager, Board of Directors, and all other district departments.

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Key Responsibilities

Engineering Administration & Leadership

• Provide leadership and supervision to the Engineering Department, ensuring effective planning, delegation, and control of technical functions.
• Mentor and facilitate / support professional development for Engineer-in-Training (EIT) and Technologist-in-Training (TT) staff and assign professional responsibility for the work of employees under supervision.
• Ensure compliance with district safety policies, the LNID Safety Program, and OH&S regulations, in compliance with the LNID Health & Safety Program.
• Control spending and department activity to ensure budgets align with district objectives.
• Prepare and oversee the Engineering department budget, ensuring effective allocation of resources.
• Oversee all project work assigned to consultants, ensuring quality control and alignment with district policies.

Technical Planning & Risk Management

• Administer and maintain LNID’s Professional Practice Management Plan (PPMP) for approval by the Responsible Member (RM), as per APEGA regulations.
• Develop and manage condition evaluations and risk-based matrices to support infrastructure maintenance and rehabilitation planning per the district Asset Management Program.
• Establish priorities for rehabilitation projects based on technical assessments, risk analysis, and budgetary considerations.
• Provide policy recommendations on capital plans, maintenance strategies, and infrastructure development.
• Prepare and maintain the IRP Annual Rolling 3-Year Plan, Long Term Infrastructure Plan, and Seepage Control Plan.
• Coordinate with other district staff for successful completion of assigned goals as per the current LNID Strategic Plan.

Project Management & Design

• Oversee the design, planning, and execution of all AIM, IRP, and IWR capital construction and rehabilitation projects.
• Establish and maintain an overall Project Management Plan (PMP) and project specific PMPs that include task identification, schedule, assignments and costs.
• Ensure project completion within scope, budget, and schedule, maintaining high standards of engineering excellence following QA/QC processes within the PPMP.
• Promote best practices in engineering design, water management, and infrastructure modernization.

Construction Administration

• Coordinate with district staff, consultants, contractors and suppliers to ensure efficient execution of capital construction projects.
• Review and approve Engineering department expenditures and capital project construction budgets.
• Ensure compliance with technical specifications, contract terms, and environmental regulations.

Dam And Canal Safety

• Maintain district compliance with dam safety standards, as outlined in the Dam and Canal Safety Directive (2018) of the Water Act (Alberta).
• Ensure regular inspections, reviews, documentation and reporting for dam and canal safety compliance.
• Facilitate ongoing risk assessment and emergency response planning.

Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

• Provide regular project updates to the General Manager and Board of Directors.
• Attend Leadership, Board and Water User meetings, and prepare technical reports and presentations as required.
• Coordinate and document project construction and field coordination meetings.
• Serve as a technical liaison with external agencies, consultants, and government bodies.
• Communicate technical concepts and project developments in a clear, concise manner to non-technical stakeholders.

General Responsibilities

• Ensure timely completion of assigned responsibilities, managing overtime effectively.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the General Manager.

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Required Skills & Qualifications

• Strong leadership and supervisory skills to manage engineering teams, projects, and budgets.
• Proficiency in civil engineering design, hydraulic modeling, and infrastructure planning.
• Demonstrated experience with project management methodologies and tools.
• Excellent problem-solving and risk assessment skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including technical report writing and presentations, with the ability to collaborate effectively on a daily basis with construction and operations teams.
• Understanding of regulatory requirements for dam safety, water management, and irrigation infrastructure.
• Proficiency in engineering software, GIS mapping, AutoCAD, Civil3D and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience managing large-scale water infrastructure projects within irrigation districts or public utilities.
• Experience working with provincial and local government agencies and utilities.
• Knowledge of Alberta water rights, land use planning, and environmental regulations.
• Experience with grant-funded capital project management.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) designation or equivalent combination of credential and experience.
• Related technical education and / or designation that may include any combination of : Registered APEGA Professional Engineer (P.Eng.), Professional Licensee P.L.(Eng), Professional Technologist P.Tech. (Eng) or eligibility for registration, Certified Engineering Technologist (C.E.T) designation or B.Sc. (Eng),.

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Experience

• Minimum 8 years of engineering or related experience, that includes a combination of project management, infrastructure planning, and technical design team leadership of large and small-scale projects.

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Working Conditions

• Office-based role with regular site visits to field operations, construction projects, and pump stations.
• Occasional travel required for meetings, inspections, stakeholder engagement and continuing professional development.
• Extended hours may be required during critical project phases or emergency response situations.