The Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Office (LLRWMO) was established in 1982 to carry out the responsibilities of the federal government for the management of low-level radioactive waste in Canada. The Office is operated by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, through a cost-recovery agreement with Natural Resources Canada, the federal department that provides the funding, direction and priorities for the LLRWMO, and establishes national policy for radioactive waste management.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE LLRWMO
The LLRWMO’s activities fall within three major programs:
1) Historic Waste: The federal government exercises responsibility for the management of historic waste under the Historic Waste program. The LLRWMO carries out cleanup and long-term management of this waste on behalf of the federal government. Its responsibilities are set out in the 1990 Memorandum of Understanding between NRCan and AECL. Historic waste contamination has been found at various locations in Canada, including Alberta, the Northwest Territories, Ontario and British Columbia, and historic waste artefacts continue to be recovered from numerous sites across the country.
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2) Ongoing Waste: Producers and owners are responsible for the management of their radioactive waste. Under the Ongoing Waste program, the LLRWMO supports NRCan in its development and implementation of national policies and strategies for the disposal of this waste.
The LLRWMO also assists NRCan in meeting its commitment to international organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
3) Information: The LLRWMO addresses public information needs related to specific historic waste projects and to low-level radioactive waste management in general. The Office responds to inquiries from individuals and communities across Canada as well as from interested parties worldwide.
Job Summary:
The Manager, Program Services, reports to the Director of the LLRWMO. The Manager, Program Services is one of the managerial positions at the LLRMWO; responsible for its operation and the team of technical and professional staff working at two sites. The Manager, Program Services provides both management oversight and expert technical contributions to LLRWMO activities.
Duties
1. Manage, participate and deliver LLRWMO remediation projects ensuring compliance with environmental, safety and regulatory requirements including compliance with CNSC licences and other requirements; compliance with environmental assessment and environmental protection requirements; radiation safety and health physics for the protection of workers and the public; occupational health and safety; and environmental management system requirements.
2. Manage, participate and deliver the stakeholders relations and general communications programs. Responsible for developing strategic communication policies, protocols and plans for the LLRWMO.
3. Manage, participate and deliver licensing compliance and other regulatory activities.
4. Manage, participate and deliver the performance of the personnel and activities of the branch, including the QEH&S Management System of the LLRWMO.
5. Provide senior-level expertise in aspects of radioactive waste management, environmental management, processes and effects and safety assessment.
6. Contributing to high quality and efficient management and administration of the LLRWMO overall and in particular to lead the Program Services Branch in achieving the technical and radioactive waste management activities under LLRWMO’s national mandate.
7. Act as a designate for the Director during his absence or unavailability.
8. Developing, hiring, training, motivating and effectively utilizing Program Services Branch staff to achieve its organizational objectives while leading the safe, efficient and effective operation of all programs and activities within the Branch’s responsibilities.
9. Providing leadership and oversight in all Branch activities to drive operational excellence in human performance and commitment management.
10. Managing the changing priorities of the Program Services Branch as required in a program and project environment driven to react to stakeholder (especially public and municipal) needs, often on a daily basis.
11. Providing a continuing review of Branch and organizational activities to ensure the required resources are available and the quality of work is maximized.
12. Contributing to maximum operating efficiency of the Branch and the division through effective financial planning and oversight.
13. Interact with a wide range of stakeholders and interested parties, including: the public; municipal, provincial and federal bodies; regulatory agencies; nuclear and environmental industry peers; etc.
14. Oversee and supervise the LLRWMO’s Program Services Branch staff of 5 to 10 AECL and contract staff. These include: Communication Specialists, a Senior Management System – Compliance Specialist and other Project Services staff.
Qualifications
· The Manager, Program Services should have a solid technical education in science, engineering or related field plus relevant work experience in: environmental remediation, management systems (ideally including quality, environmental, and health and safety); regulatory affairs; personnel management; public and internal communications. A minimum of ten years of practical experience in the areas of program and/or project management is required including experience related to the nuclear field and program/project management, administration and leadership. Knowledge of AECL management processes would be an asset.
· The Manager, Program Services should have a strong grounding in the technical and regulatory dimensions of nuclear and conventional operations and program planning, providing technical leadership to all LLRWMO activities.
· The Manager, Program Services must provide strong leadership, support and articulate the organization’s vision/mission at all levels, and have a proven ability to achieve results through others.
· An appreciation of the complexities of the regulatory, government and political environment in which the nuclear industry operates is required.
· Strong communications skills, both written and oral, particularly for interaction with Branch staff, Director, associated project teams, internal support groups and external support groups are required.
· Must have good review skills for application to work and project planning and reporting documentation produced within the Branch.
· Demonstrated business sense and financial knowledge to adequately plan, manage and monitor Branch budgets to meet financial objectives.
AECL has an Employment Equity Program and encourages applications from women, Aboriginal Peoples, visible minorities and persons with disabilities.
