Manager, District Energy Utility Planning

As one of the fastest growing cities in Canada, City of Surrey is a globally recognized leader in building vibrant, sustainable communities through technology and innovation. City of Surrey employees are talented innovators, inspired by meaningful work and the opportunity to drive our city—and their careers—forward. Build a City. Build a Future.

SCOPE:

The City of Surrey Engineering Department is seeking an experienced leader to serve as the District Energy Utility Planning Manager. Surrey City Energy, is the City of Surrey’s District Energy Utility that services Surrey City Centre, in the heart of North Surrey. Surrey City Energy began operating in about 2015 and currently services about 35 buildings, and has planned growth of 20% to 30% for the next few years.

The District Energy Planning Manager is a key member of Surrey’s Engineering Department, leading the growth development, and sustainability of the district energy utility in Surrey. Surrey City Energy strives to provide reliable, affordable and sustainable delivery of energy for space heating, hot water, and heat recovery. A nimble utility, Surrey City Energy must constantly understand and adapt to market conditions and understand how services can be improved, expanded, and made more efficient for Surrey residents.

Surrey City Energy’s primary service area is located in City Centre, nestled around King George Boulevard in North Surrey. This dynamic neighbourhood is planned to support more than 200,000 people through build-out and is rapidly changing with re-development and investments in transit. To address this growth, the District Energy Utility Planning Manager shall have the depth and breadth of experience to strategically meet the needs for our customers, and have a strong desire to develop and deliver sustainable solutions as Surrey City Energy works to deliver affordable low-carbon energy to City Centre.

This is an excellent opportunity to lead an innovative team, tasked with undertaking large planning activities, addressing the demands of population growth and city building, and directing the planning and servicing of all new growth in City Centre. The district energy planning team is responsible for growth projects, asset management, utility optimization, development of long-term financial plans, and management of utility rates. This role will set group objectives and targets in support of larger departmental and City objectives.

In addition, the District Energy Planning Section supports complex decision-making on a day-to-day basis and works collaboratively and transparently in the community to ensure projects and services are managed successfully. Challenges associated with the role include developing and providing decision making for capital planning, considering local and city-wide priorities. As a large and rapidly growing city, broad collaboration with other city departments and divisions is needed to deliver functional and successful services.

The ideal candidate for this role would be a professional with expertise in municipal utilities management, having managed large capital portfolios and achieving financially sustainable service levels. The candidate should have experience managing or supervising staff and an ability to work collaboratively with a broad range of municipal departmental teams and external stakeholders. Strong leadership, effective communication, mentoring and relationship-building skills are critical, along with a commitment to fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence within the team.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Set direction in the district energy utility to meet the needs of City Centre’s current and future population within a sustainable financial funding model.
• Develop strategies for long-term efficient servicing approaches, that consider constraints and opportunities, and governing industry and market conditions.
• Lead strategic planning for development of utility development use plans, understanding the impact of servicing costs on both rate payers and the development community.
• Provide inputs into Division and Departmental goals and objectives.
• Apply extensive utilities knowledge to manage and maintain the City’s existing district energy infrastructure, including assessment of system performance and source control programs.
• Lead and support a team of engineers and technologists in the on-going management and planning of district energy services in Surrey.
• Apply your utilities knowledge to manage and maintain the City’s existing district energy infrastructure, including assessment of system performance and sustainability.
• Provide subject matter expertise for the City with respect to support of internal and external capital infrastructure projects.
• Work effectively with Planning, Land Development, Operations, Parks, Environment and Fire to plan, evaluate issues and develop solutions.
• Lead Asset Management activities associated with sanitary sewer infrastructure and services.
• Review and develop policy related to sanitary sewer management and infrastructure servicing needs.
• Work collaboratively with City Departments to develop emergency management policies, coordination, and mitigation strategies.
• Support and respond to public inquiries and concerns.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline with a focus on infrastructure management, utility based capital projects, or utility management.
• 10 or more years of demonstrated progressive related experience in management of municipal utilities, including experience in a leadership capacity in a local government or similar environment.
• A valid and unrestricted drivers' license.
• Professional Engineering (P.Eng) designation or ability to register with Engineers and Geoscientists BC.
• An equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered.

EMPLOYMENT STATUS

Exempt - Regular Full-Time