Engineer, Dam Safety

WHO WE ARE

“Energizing the Future.”

TransAlta owns, operates, and develops a diverse fleet of electrical generation assets in Canada, the United States, and Australia, providing municipalities, industries, and businesses with safe, low-cost, and reliable clean electricity. For over 111 years, TransAlta has been a responsible operator and proud community member where its employees work and live. We are committed to fostering a dynamic, productive, and safe work environment. Our employees contribute to a diverse, open, and transparent culture with clear accountabilities, strong leadership, and challenging opportunities for personal career growth.

For more information about TransAlta, visit our website at, www.transalta.com.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We have an exciting opportunity for an Intermediate Civil or Geotechnical Engineer to join our Dam Safety team. As the Dam Safety Engineer, you will be part of an engineering team providing technical and operational support to hydro dams across Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario. This role is based out of the Calgary office and requires occasional travel (around 20%) to the hydro dams. This role is considered safety sensitive therefore pre-employment testing is required.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Here is the great work you will get to do and be responsible for:

• Conduct dam safety engineering inspections of dams and civil structures, including canals, spillways, intakes, weirs, and penstocks

• Support monitoring, interpretation, and troubleshooting of dam safety instrumentation, including slope inclinometers, piezometers, and weirs

• Provide supervision and project management for field work and for small-to-medium scale construction projects

• Carry out annual performance reporting on the dam performance, safety deficiencies, non-conformances, and potential failure modes

• Provide technical support and project coordination for dam safety maintenance and surveillance projects, including animal control, vegetation control, dive inspections, surveying, and gate testing

• Support our Public Safety Management Program, including inspection and assessment of existing controls, writing and review of public safety management plans, assessment of public safety risk, and implementation of public safety booms and signage. 

• Support procurement of consultants and contractors for dam safety projects, including writing request-for-proposals, proposal evaluations, and invoice evaluations

• Support the development and exercise of emergency preparedness plans, flood action plans, and OM&S manuals

• Ensure dam safety practices are in accordance with standards, policies, and regulatory requirements

• Provide day-to-day technical support and work collaboratively with the extended dam safety team including water management, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, and plant operators

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU

To be successful in this role, we are looking for the following must-have qualifications and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Geological or Geotechnical Engineering from a recognized university

• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant work experience

• Professional Engineer in good standing with APEGA (or eligibility)

• Demonstrated knowledge and strong geotechnical understanding of dams which includes stability and seepage modeling, geotechnical design, geotechnical instrumentation analysis, dam safety reviews, dam condition assessment practices, and risk assessment

• Significant field experience which includes site investigations, site inspections, soil logging/testing, civil and earthworks construction, operations, surveillance, construction drawing production and review, and project management

• Skills in one or more of the following areas: concrete design and inspection, penstock design and inspection, seismic hazard analysis, GIS systems, inspection and maintenance of gates, deformation and numerical modeling, hydrology and/or surface drainage processes

• In-depth technical knowledge of CDA guidelines and dam safety practices in Canada. Awareness and understanding of applicable regulations and legislations that apply to water retaining structures in Alberta

• Knowledge of the practices and processes associated with project management, project engineering, and engineering design

• Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external clients which includes communicating complex ideas, cross-functional collaboration, and building relationships

• Ability to work on multiple projects concurrently

• A self-starter who can problem solve and take ownership of their work

• Excellent attention to detail

• Valid driver’s license

OTHER DETAILS

• This position requires moderate travel (up to 20%) to hydro sites across Canada. Some sites have terrain that may be considered challenging to some. Field work may include confined spaces, working from heights, and inclement weather.

• The office environment requires working with computers and remaining seated for long periods of time

• This position is safety-sensitive therefore successful completion of required pre-employment testing is a condition of employment 

Our comprehensive and flexible benefits, competitive compensation, incentive, and rewards programs form the foundation of TransAlta’s excellent employment proposition.

Become part of our TransAlta team today! We look forward to reviewing your application. All applications will be reviewed in a timely manner to the best of our abilities. We appreciate your patience and understanding during the recruitment process.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for a job unless they meet every single qualification. At TransAlta, we are dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse workforce where you can show up every day as your true, authentic self. So, if you’re excited about this role but your qualifications and experience don’t quite tick every box, we encourage you to apply anyways. You might just be the candidate we are looking for.

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

It is our collective mission to ensure that every single employee feels a sense of inclusion and belonging and can show up to work as their true authentic self. TransAlta is committed to hiring a diverse workforce including women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and members of the LGBTQ2+ community. TransAlta believes that diversity enhances the quality of its performance, is an essential element to effective corporate governance, and cultivates a strong workplace culture.