Water Quantity Modeller

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Environmental and Climate Change Modelling Team Lead, the Water Quantity Modeller is responsible for the preparation and application of hydrological and water allocation models (e.g., Water Resource Management Model (WRMM), Water Resources Management Decision Support System (WRMDSS)), including tools to support modelling and dissemination of modelling results to wider stakeholders. These models are integral to accurately forecasting both short-term and long-term hydrological regimes, to make better decisions on water use among multiple sectors, and to support water management including, approvals and transfers of water license applications under the Water Act, provincial water management infrastructure design and operation, water management planning and integrated regional strategies in Alberta.

This position also provides other modelling support through development of interface/utilities and streamlining model input and output data processing, display processing tools to provide meaningful presentation of model outputs as well as development of integrated surface water quantity and quality modelling system.

In this position, the incumbent will: 
•    Design, implement and apply conceptual and numerical hydrological models, with an emphasis on their application in cold regions.
•    Apply water allocation models such as WRMM/WRMDSS computer models in support of response to water shortage, water allocations approvals and transfers, water management planning, water infrastructure operations and integrated regional strategies in Alberta.
•    Develop and apply water demand forecasting models.
•    Design and implement a system to integrate hydrological, water demand forecasting and water allocation models including model execution, pre and post-processing of models’ input and results.
•    Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to integrate climate data into hydrological models.
•    Integrate climate and hydrological data into hydrological and water demand forecasting models.
•    Develop and maintain automated data pipelines to efficiently process and integrate diverse hydrological and meteorological data into operational models such as water allocation and water demand forecasting models.
•    Stay abreast of advancements in hydrological modelling and climate science.
•    Provide technical and policy advice for water mastering, infrastructure operation and response to water shortage/drought emergencies.
•    Lead and manage projects from inception to completion.
•    Liaise with government bodies, environmental groups, and industry partners.

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:

Build Collaborative Environments: Actively collaborating with internal and external colleagues to improve products. Leading progress meetings to exchange knowledge and opinions.

Creative Problem Solving: Developing a guideline or methodologies to improve an existing system.

Drive for Results: Managing a number of complex issues, projects and priorities while delivering results and achieving outcomes.

Systems Thinking: Working independently in a multi-disciplinary team environment and identifying critical issues and needs to develop new programs and methodologies.

Develop Self and Others: Building and maintaining effective and productive relationships with researchers and professionals to resolve scientific issues.

Qualifications

Required: 
•    Ph.D. in a scientific discipline related to the position such as Civil and Environmental Engineering and Environmental Sciences.
•    Minimum of two years related experience in hydrological, water demand forecasting and water allocation modeling and analysis.

Equivalences will be considered: Additional related education considered in lieu of experience on a one-for-one basis. 
•    Masters degree plus 4 years related experience; or
•    University degree in a related field, plus 6 years related experience.

Additional requirements:
•    Valid Class 5 Drivers License or equivalent.
•    Computer programming skills (such as Python, R, Visual Basic, C#, and Visual Studio IDE) to develop input/output utilities for models.

Assets:
•    Knowledge and awareness of provincial acts, legislation, policy and departmental strategies such as: Water Act and Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA).
•    Knowledge of the department's corporate database structure.
•    Knowledge of ArcView or ArcGIS (GIS Mapping software).
•    Certifications or training in hydrological and water allocation modeling software (e.g., MIKE SHE/MIKE 11,  RAVEN, HydroGeosphere, HEC-HMS, SWAT, WRMM, MODSIM, etc.). 

The goal of this recruitment is to fill this position at a Scientific 3 level. However, candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at a lower classification and salary.  

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 temporary position located in Calgary. 
•    Monday – Friday, 7.25 hours per day / 36.25 hours per week.

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 the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

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)

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/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.