Director, Water Management Infrastructure (Dams/Reservoirs/Canals)

Role Responsibilities

Are you passionate about shaping the infrastructure that communities rely on every day—for safe drinking water, flood protection, and sustainable agriculture? As Alberta’s next Director of Water Management Infrastructure, your leadership will protect public safety, support economic stability, and ensure future generations benefit from resilient water systems.

Reporting to the Executive Director, this role coordinates closely with Agriculture & Irrigation (AGI), to identify, prioritize and deliver capital, rehabilitation, and operational improvements of various forms of water management infrastructure. You will lead two teams delivering projects from Edmonton and Lethbridge. Responsibilities include resource planning, contracting, and budgeting for the water management program, developing and guiding the application of standards and guidelines, and mentoring technical subject matter experts. Your effective coordination, sound decision-making, and clear communication will ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and equitably across jurisdictions.

Your key responsibilities include:

• Planning water management capital and maintenance programs across the province, balancing schedules, budgets, and stakeholder priorities.
• Defining and standardizing guidelines, specifications, and policies (hydrotechnical, structural, geotechnical, design-to-construction) for consistent project delivery.
• Managing consultant agreements and construction contracts—including approvals, change orders, evaluations, and performance tracking.
• Coordinating closely with other ministries (Agriculture and Irrigation, Indigenous Relations, Environment and Parks, Alberta Justice), internal branches and external entities (e.g., agencies, municipalities, irrigation districts) to align regional project goals and resolve issues.
• Reviewing technical reports, proposals, and correspondence to ensure compliance with departmental policies, standards, and public safety mandates.
• Mentoring and supervising team leaders and their staff, building capacity and helping them navigate project complexities.
• Leading major water infrastructure projects—such as dam embankments and spillway rehabilitation—through planning, review board engagement, and technical oversight.
• Resolving complex matters, including contract disputes, environmental considerations, stakeholder and Indigenous relations, and innovative engineering challenges, to maintain project value and integrity.

This position requires in-person presence in Edmonton with regular travel throughout Alberta depending on project and team requirements—typically ranges between 25-50% of the work schedule. It offers a varied work environment that includes both field and office-based activities, ideal for individuals who enjoy a flexible and hands-on approach to their work.

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: You cultivate meaningful relationships across government, communities, and industry. By engaging diverse perspectives, you build consensus, anticipate needs, and elevate project outcomes.
• Drive for Results: You hold yourself—and your projects—to high standards, delivering safe and effective solutions that honor public expectations, even under tight constraints.
• Agility: You adapt to shifting priorities—whether unexpected regulatory shifts or field-level challenges—by anticipating obstacles, shaping backup plans, and guiding your team through uncertainty.
• Systems Thinking: You consider both immediate program requirements and long-term infrastructure sustainability, ensuring decisions support provincial resilience, equitable service, and strategic planning.

Qualifications

Required:

• A related university degree (e.g., Civil Engineering), and a minimum of seven (7) years of progressively related engineering and field experience, including planning, design, construction, and management of water resources infrastructure. Equivalencies may be considered. 
• Registered or eligible for membership with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA).
• Valid Alberta Class 5 driver’s licence or equivalent, and ability to travel within Alberta.
• Experience in Contract Administration of large, complex capital construction projects.
• Project management experience in administering programs, assessing, and managing risk.
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating with multiple internal and external stakeholders.
• Effective communication skills, management skills, and proven skills in problem solving, decision making, and conflict resolution are required.
• Extensive knowledge of the fundamentals of civil engineering, e.g., hydrotechnical engineering, structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, construction techniques and construction materials.
• Understanding of water management industry best practices.

Preferred:

• Understanding of GoA policies, directives, technical manuals authority matrix, etc.
• Understanding of the Civil Works Master Specification format and its application to water management projects.
• Clear understanding of department objectives, responsibilities, awareness of public safety, contractual and legal implications, major/complex projects, knowledge of engineering standards and applications, apply and adhere to legislative acts, policies, guidelines, technical manuals etc. Legislation and guidelines may include the following:  Water Act, Financial Administration Act, Public Service Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Alberta Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, Fisheries Act, Canadian Dam Association Guidelines.

Equivalencies are:

• A related two-year diploma and a minimum of nine (9) years of related experience; a related one-year certificate and a minimum of ten (10) years of related experience; or a minimum of eleven (11) years of related experience in lieu of formal education. 

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 permanent, full-time role with the standard weekly work hours of 36.25, Monday to Friday (8:15 am – 4:30 pm). 
• Location: Twin Atria Building, 4999 98 Ave, Edmonton, AB T6B 2X3
• As this position is eligible to work from home up to two days per week once training is satisfactorily completed, the successful candidate will be required to work out of the Edmonton office for the rest of the week.

Recruitment Process:

• Pre-employment checks will be conducted to assess candidates’ suitability. These checks may include (but are not limited to): references, academic verification, criminal record check, driver’s abstract, etc.
• Candidates may be required to participate in a written assignment as part of our assessment process.
• Candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at a lower classification and salary.

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.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.