Approvals Specialist

Role Responsibilities

The Approvals and Consultation Office supports land-use decisions across Alberta’s regional planning areas. As an Approvals Specialist, you will manage Indigenous consultation files from initial assessment through to final adequacy review, ensuring records are complete and decisions align with policy and procedural requirements. You’ll work closely with regional teams to confirm that consultation with First Nations and Métis Settlements is adequate before land-use approvals are issued. This role plays a key part in upholding the Crown’s duty to consult and ensuring responsible development on public lands. You’ll also collaborate with colleagues to maintain consistency across regions, interpret consultation policies, and support regulatory objectives for government ministries and project proponents.

The position is responsible for :
 
1) Providing First Nations and Metis Settlements Consultation direction to proponents where specific administrative elements of the consultation process have been delegated.

• Conduct First Nations and Metis Settlements Consultation assessment requests for Public Lands Act dispositions and evaluate against corporate decision-making criteria and business rules that specifies what type of land use may trigger what degree of consultation in a consistent manner.
• Where criteria are not provided, the Approvals Specialist will use significant judgement and experience to interpret and assess the land-use activity against consultation policy and procedures to make an assessment decision. The Approvals Specialist will work closely with the regional Consultation Advisors to make a determination.
• Assess and direct consultation with specified First Nations and Metis Settlements based on land use type, potential activity intensity, and local knowledge of the area. Extensive discussions with Regional Consultation staff, Alberta Environment Protection and Alberta Energy Regulator Operations staff may be required to make a correct determination.
• Coordinate with other regulatory agencies if extensive consultation (e.g., Environmental Impact Assessment) is required including Alberta Energy Regulator, Alberta Environment Protection staff with support from regional Consultation staff.

Role Responsibilities continued

2) Assessing the adequacy of First Nations and Metis Settlements Consultation in accordance with the Government of Alberta’s First Nations and Metis Settlements Consultation Policies on Land Management and Resource Development, the First Nations and Metis Settlements Consultation Guidelines on Land Management and Resource Development, and specifically for the application of the Approvals and Consultation Office’s Consultation operating procedures province-wide.

• The Approval Specialist evaluates the proponent’s First Nations and Metis Settlements consultation summary and determines adequacy of consultation.
• If consultation is inadequate, the position identifies deficiencies and directs proponents to complete their First Nations and Metis Settlements consultation as required to meet policy requirements.
• Where First Nations and Metis Settlements identify site-specific concerns associated with the proposed activity, the position assesses the appropriateness of mitigation proposed.
• As supported by processes, where First Nations and Metis Settlements identify more general or non-site specific or project specific concerns (i.e. cumulative impacts), the position summarizes these concerns, including appropriate documentation, and forwards the concern to the appropriate Alberta Environment Protection unit that can address the concern and respond to the First Nation and Metis Settlement.
• For complex projects where mitigation was required to address potential specific adverse impacts to Treaty rights or traditional uses, the position evaluates the consultation undertaken, the mitigation proposed and documents the rationale and recommendations to the Region Lead for the adequacy decision.

3) The position must document all aspects of the consultation process as directed through Regulatory Consultation’s document management policy and procedures as decisions may be subject to appeal or legal challenge.

• The position manages all documents and records related to proponent led consultation (including proposed mitigation, Crown direction, First Nation responses, Metis Settlement responses and all related correspondence) which must be stored in Alberta Environment Protection’s Knowledge Centre through the Electronic Disposition System. 
• The position ensures quality control over all documents by routinely auditing systems and processes and directing corrective action if required.

 4) If a decision is appealed by the proponent, a First Nation or a Metis Settlement, the position must assemble all records to demonstrate that the decision followed policy and procedures.

• Knowledge Centre files are identified and compiled.
• Briefing notes are written to demonstrate the decision-making process and rationale.
• Works with Aboriginal Law, Approvals and Consultation Office Region Lead and the rest of the regional Consultation team to compile necessary information and determine steps forward.

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.

Develop Networks:  Operates in a team environment and collaborates to build networks and to connect with colleagues supporting consistency in consultation decisions of the Aboriginal Consultation Office. Communicates purposefully including informing proponents of relevant information in a timely manner.  Is professional and respectful in all interactions.

Drive for Results:  Applies discipline in reviewing applications and proactively address challenges within the context of Alberta’s consultation policies, guidelines and proponent guide. Has the ability to exercise a high degree of independent decision making by applying professional judgement and objectivity to interpretation of criteria.

Agility: Excellent organizational and time management skills enabling the review of applications within established timelines to ensure that they can proceed through the regulatory process in a timely and efficient manner.   

Qualifications

A University degree in a related field (natural resource, environmental management, etc.) supplemented by a minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible related experience is required.

Equivalency:
Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of:

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

 
Required experience:

• Experience in working with industrial and/or other land use clients related to land management/use matters and/or activities.
  

Assets

• Knowledge of The Government of Alberta’s Proponent Guide to First Nations, Metis Settlements and Credibly Asserted Metis Communities Consultation Procedures.  
• Experience in using digital data base(s).

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:

• 8:15 am to 4:30 pm
• 36.25 hours per week (full-time) Monday to Friday.

Term of Employment:

• Permanent 

Location:

• Edmonton 

Please note, for all work experience use the following date range format and indicate Full-Time and/or Part-time experience in your resume: 

Ex. [Month, Year – Month, Year]- (PT and/or FT) 

Cover letter is Mandatory.

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 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