Fisheries Manager-South

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Regional Director, the Regional Fisheries Manager leads diverse and complex programs and teams in southern Alberta to achieve provincial outcomes for stewardship and sustainable use of game and non-game fish, recovery of fish species at risk, and fish habitat conservation.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead a diverse team of 15 fisheries biologists and seasonal staff located in several southern Alberta offices; supervise several senior biologists; recruit, and onboard new staff. Responsible for occupational health and safety of workers conducting fisheries surveys and other field work from boats, rafts and on foot, including in locations that are distant and remote from the office. Oversees and delivers annual performance agreements and training plans; reviews leave requests and expenditure reports.
• Collaborate with Branch colleagues in northeastern and northwestern Alberta to ensure provincial coordination in the design, planning, delivery and reporting of fisheries surveys and other programs, and in the review and issuance of authorizations under Alberta’s Fisheries Act. Also responsible for overseeing the provision of information and advice to provincial regulators under the, Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, Forests Act, Land Stewardship Act, Water Act, and other legislation.
• Oversee the completion of briefing notes, work plans, budget forecasts, expenditure reports, equipment inventories, contract agreements, and other materials required by the Regional Director to support informed communication and decisions about fisheries including species at risk in southern Alberta.
• Leverage capacity outside government to expand regional fisheries stewardship programs by establishing, maintaining and growing constructive relationships and agreements with stakeholders including the Alberta Conservation Association, Alberta Wildlife Federation, Freshwater Conservation Canada, municipalities, plus agricultural producers and industrial stakeholders in the forestry and energy sectors.
• Ensure scientific credibility of fisheries programs by fostering collaborations with universities and other scientific organizations.
• Advance shared interests in fish population assessment and stewardship including the recovery of species at risk by establishing, maintaining and growing relationships with: 
  • Provincial colleagues in Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors (mitigate and offset impacts of flood mitigation and irrigation infrastructure); Lands Branch (habitat conservation); Hunting and Fishing Branch (recreational angling regulations and fish stocking); Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services (public education and compliance); Operational Services (public inquiries and authorizations); Office of the Chief Scientist (scientific advice), and other government colleagues. 
  • Federal colleagues at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada and Parks Canada Agency. 
  • First Nations communities and organizations.

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.

Position Specific Competencies:

• Systems Thinking: Understands complex aquatic ecosystems and policies, anticipating long-term regional impacts and aligning local actions with provincial strategies for sustainable outcomes.
• Creative Problem Solving: Uses innovative, science-based methods to tackle fisheries challenges, making timely decisions during uncertainty and driving continuous improvement.
• Drive for Results: Leads fisheries programs with a strong results focus, ensuring strategic goals are met through effective planning, execution, and team accountability.
• Build Collaborative Environments: Promotes inclusive collaboration across sectors and communities, fostering respectful relationships and constructive conflict resolution to meet shared goals.

Qualifications

Requirements

Education:
A post-secondary degree in fisheries management, fisheries conservation, or a related discipline.

Experience:
Minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in fisheries management, fisheries conservation, or related experience including:

• Planning and implementing fisheries stewardship programs, species monitoring, or habitat conservation projects.
• Supervising or leading teams of technical or professional staff.
• Developing and delivering management plans, reports, or policy recommendations related to fisheries and aquatic resources.

Other:

• A Valid Class 5 Driver’s License (or equivalent).

Equivalency:
Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one for one basis.

Assets:

• A graduate degree (e.g., Master’s) in fisheries management, fisheries conservation or a related discipline.
• Familiarity with relevant provincial legislation, including the Alberta Fisheries Act, Water Act, Public Lands Act, and federal legislation including the Fisheries Act and Species at Risk Act.
• Experience working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, such as Indigenous communities, landowners, industry, municipalities, and government partners.
• Familiarity with emerging fisheries research and monitoring approaches, digital workflows, and reporting. 

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 position is based in Cochrane, Lethbridge, or Red Deer and is a full-time permanent role working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Occasional province-wide travel may be required to support field operations, stakeholder engagement, or emergency response. Some work outside regular business hours may be necessary during environmental emergencies or peak field seasons.

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

Please submit your cover letter and updated resume. In your resume, clearly indicate the duration of each role by providing the month and year, and specify the employment status (e.g., casual, part-time, or full-time). For example: Customer Service Representative, July 2015 - December 2017, Part-time (20 hours/week).

For your post-secondary education, specify your major, the length of the program, and your year of graduation. For example: Bachelor of Science in Fisheries Conservation, 4-year program, Sept 2014 - June 2018.

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.
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.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.