Senior Economist, Industrial Carbon Pricing

Role Responsibilities

Are you passionate about the Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) system and the broader landscape of industrial climate policy in Alberta?

This position is the Government of Alberta’s principal authority on environmental economics, emission forecasting, and impact assessment that supports the design, evaluation and continuous improvement of Alberta’s industrial climate policies.

Your responsibilities will include:
•    Serves as Alberta's internal source and final technical authority for economic and emissions modelling related to industrial climate policy.
•    Leads the development and execution of environmental, economic, and socio-economic modelling and analysis to inform Alberta Environment and Protected Areas’ climate energy policy decisions.
•    Providing expert economic‑modelling support in federal‑provincial working groups and intergovernmental policy discussions.
•    Managing contracts and grants that support the development, maintenance, and application of modelling tools and environmental economic analysis.

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.

• SYSTEMS THINKING: Integrates broader context into planning.
• CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING: Works in open teams to share ideas and process issues.
• DRIVE FOR RESULTS: Takes and delegates responsibility for outcomes.
• AGILITY: Proactively incorporates change into processes.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• University Degree (Masters preferred) in economics, environmental science, mathematics, statistics, engineering, public policy, business administration, or a related discipline. Additional training or certification in climate policy modelling, project management, or financial analysis is considered an asset.
• Minimum of 5 years related experience in analyzing, modeling and/or developing policies related to air, climate, energy, water, waste, circular economy, plastics, biodiversity and land policy and programs.

Assets:

• Broad understanding of environmental legislation, regulations, standards, and policy frameworks at provincial and federal levels.
• Strong understanding of Alberta’s industrial sectors, including emission profiles, cost structures, competitiveness considerations, and economy-wide interactions.
• Expertise in carbon pricing and emissions-trading design, compliance mechanisms, and market-based regulatory instruments.
• Understanding of energy systems, including generation, distribution, and consumption systems, with emphasis on Alberta’s structure and resource mix.
• Advanced quantitative modelling using Excel, R, Python, or similar tools, including interpretation of partial‑equilibrium, CGE, or economy‑wide model outputs.
• Ability to synthesize complex datasets, validate assumptions, and conduct scenario-based impact assessments.
• Proven project and contract leadership, including oversight of consultants, technical deliverables, and multi‑year modelling work programs.
• Experience preparing briefing materials, decision notes, and presentations for senior leadership and external stakeholders.
• Strong data governance practices, including documentation, reproducibility, and quality assurance.
• Familiarity with Alberta Environment and Protected Areas’ business plans goals, strategic priorities, and program areas.

Knowledge and Abilities:

• Comprehensive knowledge of economic theory applied analysis, and scenario-based impact assessment.
• Strong communication skills, including verbal, non-verbal and written.
• Strong interpersonal and management skills, and proven strengths in systems thinking, problem solving, and decision making.
• Skilled in negotiation, influence, and consensus-building, with the ability to work effectively with stakeholders who often have competing interests.
• Broad understanding of climate change mitigation and adaptation, including policy actions underway Alberta, other provinces, and across orders of government. 
• Experience in policy analysis, research, design, and implementation.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with technical experts, policy teams, industry stakeholders, and cross-government partners.
• Knowledge of strategic planning, issues management and public administration practices.
• Strong organizational and planning skills, including prioritization, risk management, and delivery in fast-moving policy environment.
• Demonstrated ability to mento and build capacity among economists and analysts to strengthen internal modelling capabilities.

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

Hours of Work: This is a permanent salaried 36.25-hour per week position.

Please Note: Final candidates will be required to undergo security screening. Applicants are required to provide a cover letter with clear and concise specific examples that demonstrate how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements and competencies. The cover letter may be used to assess an applicant’s written communication skills. A test to evaluate an applicant’s writing skills may be included as part of the interview 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.

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level.

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.