Environmental Manager - Laboratory

A subsidiary of Veolia group, Veolia North America (VNA) is the top-ranked environmental company in the United States for three consecutive years, and the country’s largest private water operator and technology provider as well as hazardous waste and pollution treatment leader. It offers a full spectrum of water, waste, and energy management services, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. VNA helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education, and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Mass., Veolia North America has more than 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across the continent.

Job Description

Position Purpose:

The Environmental Manager - Laboratory plays a vital role in ensuring the Annacis Island Hydrothermal Liquefaction (HTL) Demonstration Facility complies with all environmental regulations while flawlessly executing a highly rigorous process sampling and testing program. He/She is also responsible for carrying out the test protocols of the pilot plant as directed by the municipal client, with the aim of better understanding how the experimental HTL process works.Because the HTL process involves converting wastewater sludge into biocrude oil under extreme conditions, the facility generates complex byproducts (Aqueous Effluent, Precipitate, High Solids Relief Waste) that must be meticulously tested and managed prior to disposal or discharge.

Responsibilities:

The duties of the Environmental (Laboratory) Manager are as follows, but not limited to:

1. Laboratory Management: Directs and maintains the Onsite Laboratory Facilities, ensuring all benchtop equipment (such as spectrophotometers, digesters, centrifuges, and filtration equipment) is safely operated, calibrated, and adequately stocked with necessary reagents and consumables.
2. Process Sampling & Onsite Testing: Oversees the collection and processing of daily process samples directly in the onsite lab, executing tests for parameters such as Total Solids (TS), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), pH, Ammonia, and gas composition from various process streams.
3. Third-Party Lab Coordination: Manages the safe preparation, handling, and transportation logistics for a high volume of samples to designated third-party analytical laboratories (ranging from four times a week to twice a year). 
4. Coordinates additional weekly sampling requests as directed by the client.
5. Environmental Compliance: Ensures strict adherence to the site's Liquid Waste Discharge Permit, guaranteeing no effluent is discharged outside of permitted limits, and conducts all necessary wastewater discharge testing. 
6. Prepares and submits required Quarterly Reports for effluent discharge.
7. Data Validation: Conducts rigorous validation for all on-site laboratory data, confirming sample locations, sample times, staff initials, test result ranges, and holding times, while documenting any deviations from Standard Test Methods.
8. Data Management: Accurately enters and manages all external and on-site laboratory testing data within the facility's DeltaV Historian system via the Excel add-in, ensuring data is properly archived and available for weekly reporting.
9. Record Keeping: Maintains complete, accurate, and permanent records of all sampling, test results, and emissions data (air and sewer discharge) in compliance with environmental regulations and contractual requirements.

Qualifications

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of environmental or laboratory experience in similar industrial process applications.
• Post-secondary education in Environmental Science, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline.
• Extensive hands-on experience with environmental laboratory sampling protocols, chain-of-custody procedures, and standard analytical test methods (e.g., APHA, AWWA, WEF, ASTM).
• Strong understanding of environmental regulations, specifically including Liquid Waste Discharge Permits and Hazardous Waste Regulations.
• Proficiency with Process Control Systems and Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS); specific experience entering and managing data in a DeltaV Historian is highly desirable.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills to interpret complex laboratory data and troubleshoot technical deviations in connection with operational teams.

Hours of Work and Working Conditions 

Hours of Work: The facility operates on a 24/7 basis. The Environmental Manager may occasionally be requested to change or adapt their hours to meet continuous operational sampling requirements, support compliance troubleshooting, or respond to emergencies.

Please note that this position is for a short-term, 24-month assignment supporting a demonstration facility; however, upon the successful completion of the contract term, there may be opportunities for select personnel to be offered employment directly with the client's team.

Environment & Hazards: Work is predominantly performed within a 5.8 metre by 2.2 metre onsite laboratory trailer, as well as directly in the production plant for sample collection. 

The role involves exposure to various industrial and laboratory hazards, including the handling of biological wastewater sludge, biocrude oil (a Class IIIA combustible liquid), complex HTL byproducts, and chemical reagents (such as COD and Ammonia testing vials).

The laboratory environment involves operating benchtop equipment and high-temperature apparatuses, such as muffle furnaces and heating plates capable of reaching 600°C.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Strict adherence to safety protocols is mandatory. The use of comprehensive Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including personal hydrogen sulfide (H2S) monitors, is strictly required for all staff.

The employee may also be required to wear a respirator and/or breathing apparatus while in designated areas of the plant and/or laboratory.

Despite the relatively low risk of exposure to potential waste contaminants, participation in an employee health monitoring program may be required.

Additional Information

Why join our Resourcers team? Come and Resource the World with us!

• Acting today to create tomorrow's world;

• A company in constant growth;

• A multitude of large-scale projects where you can put your talent to good use;

• Challenges to suit you and the absence of routine;

• The opportunity to develop your career according to your professional goals;

• Internal and external training and coaching programs;

• Competitive compensation, pension and benefits;

• Multidisciplinary work teams and an OHS-oriented work environment.

We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Candidates must be immediately eligible to work legally in Canada; the employer will not sponsor candidates for a work permit or any other Canadian work authorization for this opportunity. 

Veolia North America is committed to equal opportunity employment and advancement for all employees and potential employees, and to a work environment free from discrimination and harassment.

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.