Associate Engineer/Scientist/Technical Officer

Founded in 2002, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is a not-for-profit organization tasked with the safe, long-term management of Canada’s intermediate- and high-level radioactive waste, in a manner that protects people and the environment for generations to come.

The NWMO has been guided for more than 20 years by a dedicated team of world-class scientists, engineers and Indigenous Knowledge Holders who are developing innovative and collaborative solutions for nuclear waste management. In 2024, the NWMO selected Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and the Township of Ignace as the hosts for the site for a deep geological repository for used nuclear fuel.

This decision means our office and staff will, in the future, be relocating to Ignace, Ont., and the deep geological repository will be situated in the area of Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and the Township of Ignace. Infrastructure planning and development are underway to support this transition and ensure that both the community and our employees are well served and supported, now and in the future.

Associate Engineer/Scientist/Technical Officer – Site Characterization – Monitoring Wells Shallow Groundwater Monitoring

One (1) Position Available – Full-time 2 Year Fixed Term

Position Location: Ignace, Ontario – 304 Main Street

We are currently seeking Scientist/Engineer/Technical Officer to join our Site Characterization team at our Ignace Offices in areas relevant to site characterization activities relevant to a Deep Geologic Repository (DGR).

The DGR concept for the safe long-term containment and isolation of radioactive waste is founded on a multi-barrier approach. Key site characterization activities in geomechanics focus on the collection and synthesis of site-specific data (e.g., through deep and shallow borehole drilling campaigns) to assess current conditions, and past and future site evolution as relevant to a repository safety case. Site characterization activities are broadly based; involving the interaction of multiple geoscience disciplines to establish, among other aspects, the positioning and layout of the underground repository to ensure passive safe design, the assessment of repository stability during construction, operations and post-closure phases, and the response of the enclosing repository rock mass to induced internal and external natural perturbations occurring over time frames of 1 million years.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Field Manger, the incumbent will provide sound technical advice, guidance, and consultation to support the acquisition, oversight, reporting and analysis of shallow groundwater data. The incumbent will also support other activities within the Site Characterization team to characterize the properties of the site.

The Site Characterization team is involved in a wide range of testing, analysis and interpretation, and is looking for a team member with broad experience in data collection and application, including shallow groundwater monitoring, as well as experience managing projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise related to shallow groundwater sampling and data collection.
• Lead project logistics, including sample bottle ordering and preparation, work order development, sample shipment arrangements and field gear preparation.
• Produce daily activity records and field summary reports.
• Produce reports or other documents and/or presentation as required related to data acquisition activities.
• Assist in contract management, including review of invoices.
• Assist the Site Services team in other field-related tasks to advance the Site Characterization Project.
• Communicate status, risks, challenges and progress of assigned tasks to the Site Characterization project team.
• Participate in NWMO public engagement activities.
• Support and advance technical understanding within the organization by participating in cross functional collaborative working groups.
• Participate in budget submission, financial evaluations as required.
• Ensure all work activities and programs reflect an awareness of and compliance with applicable regulations and with the divisional and customer safety program.
• Perform other duties as required.
  
  

Qualifications

• A 4-year university degree majoring in geology, engineering geology, geotechnical engineering, environmental engineering or mining engineering
• Over 4-6 years of relevant experience, including groundwater monitoring/sampling/
• A demonstrated familiarity with borehole sampling and laboratory methods and protocols for the characterization of shallow groundwater
• Experience in reviewing data, and reviewing and writing technical reports, and other presentations of a technical nature.
• Demonstrated ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team and interact with external contractors.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
  
  

It Is An Asset To Have

• Experience in project management and the ability to facilitate work projects is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of other geoscientific disciplines such as hydraulic testing, geological and geotechnical logging, environmental baseline data collection and geophysics.
• P.Geo. or P.Eng designation.
  
  

Other

This position operates under an overtime averaging agreement. The standard work schedule is 35 hours per week, Monday through Friday.

In addition, once per quarter, to support the Environmental Baseline Monitoring Program the employee will be required to work extended hours over a 14-day period. Following this rotation, the employee will receive 14 consecutive days off.

This is a Progression-In Place role. Applicants with less or more experience or qualifications may be considered for a position at a lower or higher level commensurate with their experience.

Other Information

Must be eligible to work in Canada and must be able to meet security clearance requirements.

NWMO currently operates in a hybrid work model of 3 days in the office (Tuesdays being universal) and 2 days working from home.

Candidates residing in the Greater Toronto Area: Office Location – 30 Adelaide Street East, Suite 600 - Toronto, ON M5C 3G6 until their role is required to relocate.

Current employees may continue working from their existing work location/arrangements until their role is required at site.

We offer a competitive base salary, health care benefits and a defined benefit pension plan.

The NWMO is committed to contributing to Reconciliation in all its work by co-creating a shared future built on rights, equity and well-being. As an employment equity employer, NWMO actively seeks Indigenous Peoples, members of visible minorities, women, people with disabilities, and additional diverse identities for our workforce. The NWMO will provide accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you require accommodation, please contact us.

We review applications on a rolling basis and encourage interested candidates to apply at their earliest convenience to ensure full consideration.

The NWMO is committed to a fair, transparent, and efficient recruitment process. While we sincerely appreciate every expression of interest, only those candidates selected to continue in the recruitment process will be contacted directly.

Requisition ID: 542