Rangeland Agrologist

Role Responsibilities

At the Department of Forestry and Parks, Lands Operations Division, we manage lands under the Public Lands Act for agricultural use, providing immense value to Alberta’s agricultural community. These lands offer forage for grazing, cultivation and haying opportunities. 

Reporting to the Rangeland Team Lead, the Rangeland Agrologist is responsible for delivering the rangeland management program and manages the agriculture disposition on the public land base, primarily within an assigned district. This position administers crown land agriculture dispositions to ensure and improve the long-term sustainability of the resource, benefiting Albertans, rangeland users and the agricultural industry by maintaining a balance of development, use and conservation. You will apply your expertise in agricultural crown land management, ensuring ecological integrity while supporting responsible economic development and multi-use opportunities. Your role involves inter-agency referrals, stakeholder engagement and consultation with First Nations and Metis Settlements.

As a Rangeland Agrologist, your professional, scientific expertise is provided to clients, agricultural producers and other professionals in government and industry on soils, range and riparian health, tame and native eco-systems to achieve rangeland stewardship and sustainability.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Evaluate rangeland dispositions under the Public Lands Act (Examples: grazing leases, grazing licenses, head tax permits, farm development leases, cultivation permits, hay permits), to ensure fulfillment of regulations, disposition conditions and to evaluate land stewardship, land conservation and reclamation. Communicate with the activity holder regarding deficiencies and required action. 
• Manage and administer vacant public land within existing legislation, regulations, policies and directives from to provide a balance of development, use and conservation while maintaining biodiversity.
• Issuing approvals and authorizations within the current regulatory structure. 
• Identify and recognize strategic issues that require policy formulation and forward the issues to the Rangeland Team Lead and/or Program Manager.
• Evaluate the highest and best use agriculture sustainable use of public lands within the current policies, directives and procedures to meet the needs of development, conservation and stewardship.
• Examine various conflicting land use requests, evaluate and construct solutions to balance them on the landscape, such as finding a balance between grazing, oil and gas development, forest production and endangered species.
• Ensure Ministry resources are managed efficiently and effectively.

Please click on this link to view the job description.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies: https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

• Agility - Ability to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, maintain resilience and work effectively in changing environments. 
• Creative Problem Solving - Ability to assess options and develop solutions to complex problems by seeking clarity, challenge processes, integrate perspectives, and identify alternative solutions.
• Systems Thinking - Work done is part of a larger integrated and inner-related environment. Allows us to keep broader impacts and connections in mind.
• Devleop Networks - Proactively building networks, connecting, and building trust in relationships with stakeholders.
• Drive for Results - Knowing what outcomes are important and maximizing resources to achieve results that are aligned with the goals of the organization while maintaining accountability. 

Qualifications

Required:

• A completed university degree in Agriculture, Environmental Sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum 3 years of related experience.
• Currently registered as a Professional Agrologist or eligible for in-training status (AIT) from the Alberta Institute of Agrologists (AIA).
• A valid Class 5 Driver’s License (or equivalent) with a clean driving record.
• Standard First Aid and Basic CPR.

Equivalences may be considered: Related Master’s degree considered in lieu of part of the three years of related experience on a one-for-one basis. 

Assets:

• Experience with plant community classification, range and riparian management and health assessments, forage and livestock production, plant identification, soil science, reclamation techniques, water resources.
• Comprehensive knowledge of regulatory requirements within acts such as the Public Lands Act and applicable regulations, Water Act, Parks Act, Forest and Prairie Protection Act, Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, etc. Weed Control Act
• Experience with managing competing land use values, including timber production, wildlife management, industrial activities, and recreational activities.
• Skills in mediation, negotiation and conflict resolution to effectively manage the interests in a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Experience using ArcGIS or other GIS mapping software.
• Experience with four-wheel drive and off-highway vehicles (OHVs), working alone in remote areas where livestock and wildlife are present.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. Refer to  https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

This is a full time permanent position located in Athabasca.

Monday to Friday, 7.25 hours per day, 36.25 hours per week.

This position requires extensive fieldwork, operating off highway/ATV vehicles, driving on gravel roads (and highway) and working alone around livestock in remote areas where wildlife may be present.   

Instructions for your Resume:

For Employment Experience:

• Please indicate duration of employment (month, year).
• Please specify employment status (i.e. casual, part time or full time).
• Example Foreman, January 2006 - June 2009, Part time (three, 8 hour shifts/week).

For Post-Secondary Education:

• Please specify your major and length of program.
• Please specify the year you graduated.
• Example: Bachelor of Science, 4-year Degree (Graduated 2017).

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in. 

What the GoA has to offer:

•    Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
•    Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) – https://www.pspp.ca
•    Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
•    Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
•    Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
•    Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
•    Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement.
•    Leadership and mentorship programs.

Resources for Applicants:

• https://www.alberta.ca/apply-for-jobs-with-the-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-hiring-process.aspx.
• https://alis.alberta.ca/look-for-work/.