Environmental Impact Officer

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Job Summary

The Officer, Environmental Impact is responsible for supporting the permitting and ensuring compliance of CN’s capacity expansion, maintenance projects, and special projects (e.g., fish passage, biodiversity, Milton Logistics Hub) in the Eastern Region. The position supports infrastructure growth while minimizing environmental impacts and fostering positive relationships with local and Indigenous communities. The role collaborates across multiple levels and functions, and ensures projects adhere to regulatory requirements, permit conditions, CN policies, and sound environmental practices.

Main Responsibilities Environmental Assessment and Permitting

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to understand proposed construction and maintenance projects
• Complete or assist in environmental assessments and mitigation measures for construction and maintenance projects
• Plan, coordinate resources, and participate in field studies to complement environmental assessments and reviews
• Support Front Line Supervisors (FLS) and Project Managers on permitting and related issues concerning protection of fish and wildlife and compliance with CN and regulatory procedures, codes, and regulations
• Prepare or oversee Consultants in preparing applications and supporting documentation for environmental approvals
• Apply for and receive environmental approvals for proposed projects
• Ensure consultant service excellence, including detailed technical review as well as Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) of all written products
• Hold pre-submission Teams meetings with consultants and attend
  
  

pre-construction meetings with contractors

• Assist with emergency projects requiring environmental approvals and coordination with regulators
• Provide technical advice, regulatory outreach, and direction during emergencies that have the potential to impact the environment
  
  

Compliance

• Review and comment on various plans and reports prepared by contractors to ensure compliance with project commitments and conditions
• Conduct or oversee Consultant’s field monitoring of construction projects to meet permit conditions and Best Management Practices (BMPs)
• Participate in regular project meetings to track progress and coordinate mitigation measure implementation
• Deliver training and education on mitigation measures to CN staff and contractors
• Ensure timely completion of permit obligations, including post-construction monitoring and regulatory reporting
• Assist in the management of post-construction monitoring in compliance with letters of credit and other regulatory agreements, permits and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs)
• Provide updates on non-compliance events to the Regional Manager, Environmental Impact for further action
• Serve as a technical and local knowledge resource in inter and intra-departmental projects
• Assist in tracking and oversight of project budgets
  
  

Networking and Team Performance Management

• Build cooperative and progressive relationship with other CN departments, regulatory agencies, and Indigenous communities
• Assist Regional Manager, Environmental Impact with special projects (e.g., fish passage, biodiversity initiatives, Milton Logistics Hub)
• Track performance metrics, and identify opportunities for process improvement
• Research, develop, and implement strategies and databases to enhance performance metrics and adapt to changes in environmental legislation and policies
  
  

Working Conditions

The role is performed in a combination of office and outdoor environment with various types of weather conditions with a regular workweek from Monday to Friday. The role requires moderate physical effort including assisting in or conducting sampling programs and participating in field programs. Due to the nature of the role, the incumbent must be able to meet tight deadlines, handle pressure, and stress. The role requires occasional travel (20%) throughout the Eastern Region and the United States (U.S.).

Requirements

Requirements Experience

Environmental Compliance

• Between 3 to 5 years of experience in environmental assessment, permitting, environmental compliance monitoring, and regulatory engagement
• Experience with contractor and consultant management
• Experience with fisheries-related projects*
• Experience engaging with Indigenous communities*
• Any experience for these above would be considered as an asset
  
  

Education/Certification/Designation

• Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science or related discipline
  
  

Competencies

• Demonstrates agility and drives change
• Applies critical thinking
• Sets direction and inspires others
• Communicates with impact
• Demonstrates active listening
• Collaborates with others and shares information
• Seeks and values all perspectives
• Identifies needs and finds solutions to create value for all stakeholders
• Leads by example for the safety and security of all
• Considers environmental impacts in every decision and action
  
  

Technical Skills/Knowledge

• Fluently bilingual, both written and verbal (English, French)
• Knowledge of environmental regulations and associated agencies, with an emphasis on approval and permitting processes in Eastern Canada
• Knowledge of environmental science, ecological systems, fisheries, and species at risk
• Knowledge of project management principles (e.g., dealing with regulatory agencies, consultants, and contractors)
• Strong knowledge of construction-site activities and environmental mitigation measures
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Knowledge of engineering functions of railways and operations*
• Knowledge of Systems, Applications and Products (SAP)*
• Any knowledge for any of the above would be considered as an asset
  
  

About CN

CN is a world-class transportation leader and trade-enabler. Essential to the economy, to the customers, and to the communities it serves, CN safely transports more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year. As the only railroad connecting Canada’s Eastern and Western coasts with the Southern tip of the U.S. through a 19,500 mile rail network, CN and its affiliates have been contributing to community prosperity and sustainable trade since 1919. CN is committed to programs supporting social responsibility and environmental stewardship. At CN, we work as ONE TEAM, focused on safety, sustainability and our customers, providing operational and supply chain excellence to deliver results.