Water Allocation Modeller

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Environmental and Climate Change Modelling Team Lead, the Water Allocation Modeller is responsible for the development and application of the Water Resources Management Model (WRMM).These models are used to support water allocations, approvals and transfers, water management planning, and integrated regional strategies in Alberta.

The position also provides other modelling support through development of interfaces/utilities and streamlining model input and output data processing as well as development of integrated surface water quantity and quality modelling system. The Water Allocation Modellers are unique specialist positions with no known equivalent in the department.

Other responsibilities include:

• Provide technical support in the development and application of the WRMM/WRMDSS computer models in support of water allocations, approvals and transfers, water management planning, and integrated regional strategies in Alberta.
• Develop display processing tools to provide meaningful presentation of model outputs (text, access and SQL tables) so that management and the public can readily understand and use the model results to make water management decisions.
• Take part in the development and enhancement of the WRMM for continued improvement of this department asset.
• Provide technical and policy advice to management and the public in the review of irrigation expansion, water allocation issues, water transfers, water conservation objectives.
• Working towards development of an integrated environmental modelling system with current focus on surface water quality and quantity integration including computer programming supports such as interfaces and utilities development.
• Provide technical support in database development and internet applications in support of public education activities related to the Water Act, SSRB and Regional planning programs.
• Provide input on human and financial resources allocations for the work unit.
• Support or lead other section, branch, division, department or Government Of Alberta initiatives, as required.

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.

Creative Problem Solving

• Engages the community and resources at hand to address issues:
  
  • Engages perspective to seek root causes.
  • Finds ways to improve complex systems.
  • Employs resources from other areas to solve problems.

Systems Thinking

• Takes a long-term view towards organization’s objectives and how to achieve them:
  
  • Takes holistic long-term view of challenges and opportunities.
  • Anticipates outcomes and potential impacts, seeks stakeholder perspectives.
  • Works towards actions and plans aligned with APS values.

Build Collaborative Environments

• Collaborates across functional areas and proactively addresses conflict:
  
  • Encourages broad thinking on projects, and works to eliminate barriers to progress.
  • Facilitates communication and collaboration.
  • Anticipates and reduces conflict at the outset.

Drive For Results

• Takes and delegates responsibility for outcomes:
  
  • Uses variety of resources to monitor own performance standards.
  • Acknowledges even indirect responsibility.
  • Commits to what is good for Albertans even if not immediately accepted.
  • Reaches goals consistent with APS direction.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• This position requires a bachelor’s degree (4 year) in Engineering or Environmental Science with 5 years of related experiences. Lesser qualifications might be considered for underfill. 

Additionally, the position requires the following knowledge, skills, and abilities: 

• Eligible for the APEGA membership. P. Eng. designation is preferred.
• Significant knowledge of the Water Act, related regulations, practices and procedures is required.
• Knowledge of the department's corporate database (e.g. DRAS) structure is required.
• Experience with database design using Microsoft SQL, Oracle, or MS Access.
• Computer programming skills (such as R, C#, .NET and Visual Studio IDE) to develop input/output utilities are essential.
• Significant knowledge in computer software use of MS Access, Outlook, Excel, Visual Basic, Word, Adobe Acrobat,
• PowerPoint, and HTML coding is essential.
• Knowledge of ArcGIS Pro (ESRI GIS Mapping software) is an asset.

REQUIRED ABILITIES: 

• Ability to translate complex output into information that can be understood by the general public and to communicate effectively to meet needs of the target audience.
• Ability to deal with and manage consultants.
• Ability to handle a number of multi-faceted tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work within an organizations structure that is constantly changing.
• Ability to deal with the public in a business-like and polite manner.
• Ability to conceptualize complex relationships and synthesize information from various sources.
• Ability to recognize and to troubleshoot problems and develop effective solutions
• Ability to work effectively in teams.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with a focus on dealing with peers and clients as well as external agencies
• Excellent communication, organization, research and report writing and presentation skills.

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

Additional Position Details:

• This position is a non-supervisory position. 
• This competition is for a temporary full-time, position. Monday – Friday, 7.25 hours per day / 36.25 hours per week.
• Location: Calgary

Recruitment Process:

• 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. 

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.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.