Oil Sands Monitoring Atmospheric Scientist

Role Responsibilities

This is a specialized position that supports the Oil Sands Monitoring (OSM) Program in the area of air and atmospheric monitoring, evaluation and reporting. The incumbent will lead the evaluation of air data, indicators and associated thresholds, generation of reporting products, and predictions to assess environmental change against ecological benchmarks. This role ensures that the OSM Program and its partners and stakeholders, including the Government of Alberta, receive scientifically credible and relevant information needed to responsibly manage Alberta's environment in the face of increasing pressure from industrial development, a growing population, climate change, and other pressures. 

Key deliverables include OSM air monitoring data analysis and reporting for publication in OSM technical reports, peer-reviewed journals, and special assessment reports, specifically ongoing integrated state of the environment reporting. The incumbent will work with multi-disciplinary monitoring teams from multiple governments, industry, and academic sources (wetlands, water, biological, and ecological), to synthesize integrated reporting among OSM scientific teams, directed towards the credible monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of the environmental conditions in the Oil Sands Region of Alberta.
 
Responsibilities include but not limited to: 
•    Leading the review, development and continuous improvement of long-term air quality and deposition monitoring program as well as research that addresses major issues of concern to the OSM Program and the Government of Alberta. The end result is an internationally recognized air quality and deposition monitoring program that supports the government's business mandate.
•    Completing multi-year research and monitoring plans that are driven by scientific questions to assess the condition of Alberta's long-term air quality and deposition monitoring systems, including scientific evaluations of the impacts of human activities and ecological drivers.
•    Ensuring long-term air quality and deposition monitoring program is delivered in a safe and effective manner. The end result is safe and timely completion of deliverables within the available budget.
•    Developing, leading and actively participating in the analyses and completion of scientifically credible environmental data evaluation and reporting that meet project plan commitments and legislated reporting requirements.

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:

Systems Thinking: Ensuring integration between air monitoring system and relevant environmental monitoring programs in OSM.

Creative Problem Solving: Working with leadership, scientists and staff in OSM to ensure innovative, scientifically credible research and monitoring protocols are conceived and deployed in OSM's air quality and deposition monitoring and programs.

Drive for Results: Leading primary and collaborative writing of standard and non-standard reporting products communicating major observations and conclusions of long-term monitoring and focused research activities on the condition, status and trends of Alberta's air quality including but not limited to peer-reviewed scientific papers.

Build Collaborative Environments: Collaborating with OSM scientists, field monitoring technologists and other collaborators in all phases of monitoring and research programs, from conception to delivery and reporting.

Develop Self and Others: Providing mentoring and support to other OSM scientists as may be required.

Qualifications

Required: 
•    Ph.D. in Atmospheric sciences, Environment, Chemistry, Physics or a related field. 
•    Minimum of five years work experience in atmospheric and air monitoring sciences, or related.
•    Demonstrated record of primary and collaboratively authored publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals commensurate with established peers with a similar level of experience (for example, Associate Professors at Canadian academic institutions).
•    Demonstrated expertise in atmospheric and air monitoring sciences.

Equivalences may be considered: 
•    Master’s degree in a related field plus 7 years related experience.
•    University graduation in a related field, plus 9 years related experience.

Assets:
•    Proven track record in the production of peer-reviewed scientific publications, writing scientific reports, proposals, work plans and presentations to peers at scientific meetings. 
•    Scientific expertise in atmospheric chemistry, innovative monitoring technologies, an understanding of Alberta's air quality monitoring system, building stakeholder relationships and effective communication skills.
•    Experience in linking different knowledge systems (e.g., western science with Indigenous knowledge) and leading or working in multi-disciplinary scientific teams.
•    In-depth understanding and expertise and field work experience with advanced and traditional ambient air monitoring technologies is an asset as is experience or familiarity in GIS technologies and relevant data systems.

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 competition is for 1 permanent full time position located in Calgary. 
•    Monday – Friday, 7.25 hours per day / 36.25 hours per week.

About Your Work Environment:
You will be expected to manage high demand tasks and competing work priorities in a fast paced dynamic environment.

Applicants are required to include a COVER LETTER with clear and concise specific examples that demonstrate how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements and competencies.

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).
Ex: Youth Worker, Jan 2006 - June 2009, Part-time (three, 8 hour shifts/week).

For any Post-Secondary Education:
Please specify your major and length of program.
Please specify the year you graduated.
Ex: Bachelor of Social Work, 4-year Degree (Graduated 2017).

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

Links and information on what the GoA has 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/alberta-public-service-human-resource-directives.
•    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 agreements.
•    Leadership and mentorship programs.