Environmental Protection Officer

Role Responsibilities

Are you seeking a career opportunity to apply your education and experience in environmental and regulatory inspections to protect Alberta's environment and public health?

The Environmental Protection Officer role is responsible for the delivery of an assortment of services to industry, municipalities, varying levels of government, and to the Alberta public and requires balancing the technical components with the desired outcomes of the compliance program delivery.  These services are largely associated with the administration of the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA), Water Act, and the Climate Change and Emissions Management Act. 

Reporting to the Compliance Assurance Lead, this position is a full working level position that, in addition to their regular duties, will also assist and/or coach junior staff in performing their duties and will act as a technical resource for colleagues, associates and outside agencies.

Working as part of the Compliance Team, you will: 

• Apply the principles of Education, Prevention and Enforcement as identified in the Government of Alberta’s compliance assurance management framework to achieve legislative compliance.
• Conduct proactive and reactive inspections to assess regulatory compliance in regulated sectors such as contaminated sites, and industrial facilities. 
• Respond to environmental incidents, including public complaints, collect evidence to determine if a contravention has occurred and report findings to the Compliance Assurance Lead.

This position will also investigate issues of non-compliance triaged for investigation through the Integrated Compliance Process. The position uses legislative authorities, departmental policies, understanding of approval conditions and environmental effects to conduct thorough investigations and gather evidence of contraventions.

You will also be required to act as an Emergency Regional Responder serving on an on-call 24/7 rotational basis expected to receive, prioritize and respond to environmental emergencies.

The abundance of natural areas and resources require dedicated professionals working together as a team to ensure their protection, preservation, and responsible use. 

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

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.

How Competencies will apply to this role:

DRIVE FOR RESULTS: You will use your drive for results to engage stakeholders proactively using educational and prevention tools to ensure the rules were understood and followed. As a representative of the Ministry, you will conduct yourself in a professional and respectful manner when conducting compliance inspections and investigations and when responding to environmental incidents.

CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING: You will use your ability to understand and apply the regulatory tools in the compliance assurance framework effectively in a variety of different regulated sectors and situations.

SYSTEMS THINKING: By using a systems thinking approach, you take a broad view of regulating the environment to ensure that the actions you take to address compliance issues are impactful and result in long-term benefits to the environment.

DEVELOP NETWORKS: You will use your excellent interpersonal skills to build trust and credibility with a wide variety of stakeholders to ensure complex and potentially contentious situations reach compliant outcomes.

DEVELOP SELF AND OTHERS: You take your personal and professional development seriously and implement continuous improvement strategies. You share your passion and dedication to excellence to improve the team outcomes.

Qualifications

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.

Minimum Recruitment Standards:

• A two-year technical diploma in a related field, such as Environmental Science, Agriculture Studies, or Environmental Enforcement.
• A minimum of six years of direct compliance, regulatory and/or enforcement experience. 

OR

• A bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as Environmental Science, Agriculture Studies, or Environmental Enforcement.
• A minimum of 4 years of direct compliance, regulatory and/or enforcement experience.

Equivalencies will be considered based on: One year of directly related experience for one year of completed education, OR one year of completed education for one year of directly related experience.

Additional requirements: 

• Valid class 5 driver’s license is required.

Candidates who may not meet the minimum qualifications are still encouraged to apply and may be considered at a lower classification.

Assets:

• Experience in regulatory inspection and/or investigation processes and techniques.
• Experience in regulated sectors, specifically contaminated sites and industrial facilities.
• Experience in the direct application of the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act and Water Act is preferred. 
• Knowledge base of the practices and technologies involved in soil conservation, reclamation, vegetation management, waste management and pesticide application methods.
• Knowledge and ability to collect environmental samples, from a variety of media and sources using standard protocols.
• Ability to interpret and apply analytical results to determine non-compliance and adverse effect.
• Judgement is required to interpret legislation and regulations during investigation and enforcement activities. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

Notes

This position works Monday – Friday, 36.25 hours per week.

On-call work will be required in case of environmental emergency situations.

Some travel may be required; must have valid Driver’s License.

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

• Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. 

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees:

• 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.