Public Representative Statutory Committee Member – Audit and Practice Review Committee

About Engineers and Geoscientists BC

Engineers and Geoscientists BC is a regulated not-for-profit association under the authority of the Professional Governance Act (PGA). As the provincial regulator for the engineering and geoscience professions, Engineers and Geoscientists BC is responsible for setting and maintaining high standards of admission, practice, and conduct for all registrants. Individuals licensed by Engineers and Geoscientists BC are the only persons permitted by law to undertake, and assume responsibility for, engineering and geoscience projects in the province of BC.

With more than 37,000 registrants and a net asset portfolio of more than $16 million, Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s operations are supported by more than 80 full-time employees. Engineers and Geoscientists BC is governed by a council of elected members and government appointees under the authority of the PGA and is accountable to the public through the Office of the Superintendent of Professional Governance.

Overview

Pursuant to the PGA and Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s Bylaws, Engineers and Geoscientists BC has 5 statutory committees established under the PGA and the Bylaws. Each of the Committees is composed of a number of registrants and at least 1 Public Representative, also known as a lay person.

Public Representatives are appointed to ensure independence and the voice of the public is present, supporting Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s mandate to serve and protect the interests of the public. Individually and collectively, Public Representatives make an important contribution to the protection of the public and the integrity of the professions of engineering and geoscience in BC. This profile describes the role of the Public Representative on the Committees.

Audit and Practice Review Committee

This Committee’s authority, composition, and duties are set out by the PGA, the Bylaws, and its Terms of Reference.

The mandate of the Audit and Practice Review Committee is to assess registrant compliance with regulatory requirements and to administer remedial measures where necessary to protect the public interest. The Committee meets this mandate through the administration of the Audit and Practice Review Programs as detailed in the PGA, the Bylaws, and Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Audit program for individual and firm registrants, including:
  • Annually review and approve risk criteria for random selection process for individual and firm registrants.
  • Make decisions on audit deferrals and exemptions for individual and firm registrants.
  • Adjudicate audit files.
• Practice review program for individual and firm registrants, including:
  • Adjudicate practice review files.
• Firm registrations, including:
  • Make decisions regarding admission, reinstatement, cancellation, categorization and error for contentious or difficult applications.
  • Make decisions regarding Permit to Practice applicability reviews.
• Continuing Education, including:
  • Make decisions on exemption requests for reasons other than parental, medical or compassionate leave.
  • Make decisions regarding suspensions and late fees due to failure to complete CE requirements.
• Other responsibilities, including:
  • Delegate powers granted by Council to the Registrar and other Officers
  • Reprimand or remedial action by consent.

Time Commitment

Meetings are held approximately 10 times per year and last for up to three hours. Meetings will also require considerable preparation work.

Accountability

Public Representatives are accountable to the Committee, as a whole.

Term

Public Representatives are appointed for a 3-year term and may be re-appointed up to a maximum of 9 years, unless otherwise extended by the Council.

Key Expectations and Responsibilities

The role and responsibilities of the Committee as a whole are set out in the Committee’s Terms of Reference. This Position Description and Role Profile sets out expectations and responsibilities of individual Public Representatives.

Standards of Conduct

Although the role as a Public Representative is not a fiduciary one, each Public Representative is required to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the public.

In keeping with this responsibility, a Public Representative should:

• Act in the best interests of the committee and not in their self-interest, nor in the interest of a particular entity or group.
• Commit to the protection of the public interest within the mandate of Engineers and Geoscientists BC.
• Comply with the PGA, the Bylaws, and applicable Engineers and Geoscientists BC policies.
• Make full and timely disclosure of any actual, potential or apparent conflicts of interest.

Committee Activity

Each Public Representative is expected to:

• Be prepared and well-informed on relevant issues (through pre-read materials or otherwise). Committee meetings may require substantial preparation work.
• Contribute their own experience, wisdom, and judgment on issues.
• Interact with fellow Committee members and management in a respectful and constructive manner.
• Express independent opinions in a clear and respectful manner.
• Express points of view for the Committee’s consideration even if they may seem contrary to other opinions previously expressed.
• Listen to, and exercise tolerance for, others’ perspectives.
• Have confidence in contributing to Committee discussions and decisions.
• Be adaptable, flexible, and open-minded in the consideration and implementation of change.
• Demonstrate analytical skills—anticipating, analyzing, and diagnosing problems and synthesizing large amounts of information.
• Devote the necessary time and attention to be able to make informed decisions on issues that come before the Committee.
• Once Committee decisions are made, support those decisions in a positive manner.

Confidentiality

Public Representatives must ensure that information relating to all matters that come into their knowledge or possession in the course of their duties on the Committee remains confidential. Public Representatives are expected to maintain the confidentiality of all information shared at Committee meetings (including the views of other Committee members).

Attendance

Public Representatives are expected to maintain an excellent Committee meeting attendance record. However, Public Representatives may participate in Committee meetings by conference telephone or other communications facilities (including videoconferencing), where permitted.

Orientation

Public Representatives are expected to participate in Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s orientation program.

Removal

The Council may terminate the appointment of a Public Representative at any time.

Attributes/Experience/Skills

Specific attributes, experience, and skills that are important to this role are set out below.

Basic Attributes

The basic attributes required of Public Representatives include the following:

• BC resident;
• Is not a registrant of Engineers and Geoscientists BC;
• Has no immediate family members in the professions; and
• Is free of known conflicts of interest or perceived conflicts of interest.

In addition, specific attributes that are important to this role include:

Public Focus and Integrity: Demonstrates a commitment to protecting the public by effectively regulating engineers and geoscientists.

• At all times carries out responsibilities in the public interest;
• Works to understand the needs and requirements of the public in relation to the profession;
• Demonstrates dedication to meeting expectations of the public and gaining the public’s trust and support; and
• Willing to act on and remain accountable for decisions made.

Decision Making: Uses a systematic approach to problem-solving and decision-making. Bases decisions on best available information and keeps the interests of the public in mind:

• Stands behind Committee decisions;
• Works towards consensus decision-making whenever possible but is willing to express an oppositional view; and
• Is able to review voluminous material within set timelines, assess implications, identify patterns, make connections, and narrow the issues to support Committee deliberations and good decision-making.

Communication Skills: Effectively communicates with others.

• Actively listens to others’ opinions and ideas;
• Committed to the role of the Committee as a whole, works to resolve issues, treats others in a respectful and supportive manner;
• Able and willing to raise potentially controversial or difficult issues in a manner that encourages dialogue;
• Shares knowledge and expertise to strengthen Committee performance;
• Communicates key issues and concerns in a timely fashion; and
• Communicates in a coherent, concise, and well-reasoned manner.

Specific Skills and Experience

Public Representatives should possess a combination of skills and experience relevant to the Committee’s oversight responsibilities. Preference will be given to candidates with the following:

• Previous experience as a volunteer with a similar organization;
• Experience in professional regulation and knowledge of the standards of practice and standards of professional ethics;
• Operational or technical expertise relevant to the responsibilities of the Committee (e.g., legal, HR, governance, public sector administration, etc.); and
• An understanding and appreciation of the development of policy and decision-making in a large, complex system, to ensure that decisions are based on objective principles, and informed by evidence and best practice.

Diversity

Within the context of the required Committee skills, consideration is given to creating a Committee that provides a balance of perspectives. As such, Committees are to be composed of individuals who demonstrate a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, problem-solving approaches, and expertise, amongst other considerations. For the purposes of Committee composition, diversity includes designation, discipline, region, gender, and ethnicity, including underrepresented groups. These attributes will be considered in assessing Public Representatives applications.

Compensation and Meeting Expenses

In recognition of their service, Public Representatives will be compensated at a rate of $100 for each committee meeting of four hours or less, and $200 for each meeting of more than four hours. Public Representatives will also be reimbursed for necessary expenses reasonably incurred in relation to their services as a Public Representative, with necessary prior authorization as outlined in the Expense Reimbursement Policy.

Benefits

Benefits for serving as a Public Representative include:

• Opportunity to protect the public’s interest in the field of engineering and geoscience;
• Share your knowledge and experience obtained from other industries;
• Consider and discuss interesting ethical and practical concerns arising in the profession;
• Learn about a new area and adopt new skills;
• Expand your network and make new connections with other Public Representatives and members of the professions; and
• Be appreciated as a volunteer to well-respected professions.