Division Update from Sameer Dhalla

June 13, 2019

Good morning,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the support over the past few months as I transitioned into my new role.  As discussed at the SWOT meeting on May 21st, I am excited about the future of our division and look forward to working with all of you in advancing the important work we do in protecting people and property from flooding and natural hazards, and conserving our natural resources.    In July, Development and Engineering Services will launch a Service Desk App on TRCA’s HUB where you will be able to view divisional updates, request professional development, request administrative support and provide feedback and suggestions to me.  I encourage everyone to utilize this new tool once it becomes available, for now, here are some important updates:

Staffing

Glenn MacMillan, Interim Associate Director of Engineering Services acting assignment will end on June 21st where he will return to his home position as Senior Manager of Water and Energy in STEP.  I would like to thank Glenn for all his work in advancing some new and exciting initiatives including Design Charettes and updates to Checklists and Guidelines and look forward to furthering our collaboration with STEP in the future.

Lisa Facini, Administrative Assistant for Engineering Services will report directly to myself as the Administrative Assistant to the Director of Development and Engineering Services.  She will continue to support Senior Management within the division and administratively support both Watershed Planning and Reporting and Enforcement.  Subikah Thirukumar, Administrative Clerk for Development Planning and Permits will be transferring over to Engineering Services as the new Administrative Clerk to assist with that team.  In the interim, Subikah will continue to assist DPP and IPP on a part time basis until we can hire a new Administrative Planning Technician.

For efficiency, we are consolidating the York East and West teams, these teams will be reporting to Quentin Hanchard, Associate Director of Development Planning and Permits who will now be responsible for both Peel and York Region.

Upcoming Training

Client Centric Customer Service Training is fast approaching on June 19th at TRCA Head Office and June 24th at Black Creek Pioneer Village.  If you have any questions related to this training, please feel free to contact Lisa Facini who is coordinating the training workshop for the division.

Corporate Reminders

With summer vacations around the corner, please make sure to update your voicemail and out of office email notifications while you are away.  This includes staff contact information in your absence.  Please see the link provided for instructions on how to make these changes.  https://devhub.trcastaff.ca/task/voice-mail-greetings/.  In addition, please make sure timesheets are completed on time and approvals are delegated appropriately if you are on vacation.

Please take the time to review TRCA’s Commitment to Service Standards (https://devhub.trcastaff.ca/news/customer-service-standards/) including wait time for customers visiting TRCA Head Office, contacting TRCA by telephone, email, online forms, mail and social media accounts, and updating publicly posted information on our websites accurately and in a timely manner.

Mid-year performance management reviews are fast approaching.  Your managers will be setting up time with you in the coming weeks to discuss 2019 goals and progress.  Please note the mid-year review is due to our HR business partner, Carmen Lam on July 19th 2019.

Upcoming TRCA Staff Events

Treetop Trekking Promotion Day at Heart Lake Conservation Area

Staff and their family members are invited to climb through the trees of Heart Lake free of charge at the Treetop Trekking Promotion Day on Sunday July 21, 2019.  Join fellow staff in a Zip Line & Aerial Game Trek, or sign up for a stand-alone Blue Heron zip line tour featuring twin 1,000ft zip lines crossing right over Heart Lake!  The Parks and Culture team would also like to invite you to stay the day and explore Heart Lake – plan a picnic, go for a swim or play in the splash pad, rent a boat or cast a line. We hope to see you there!  Additional information including a link to reserve your spot will be circulated separately in an upcoming communication.  Participants must be a minimum of 9 years of age, at least 4’7” and under 250 lbs. All activities listed will be free of charge for staff and their family members, subject to availability.

GO RAPTORS GO!!

Sameer Dhalla, P.Eng.
Director
Development and Engineering Services