Environmental Protection Officer - Wetlands Specialist

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Compliance Manager, this position will act as a technical resource for colleagues and associates within the Regulatory Assurance Division for the Approvals and Compliance Programs, reviewing wetland application submissions and providing advice in addressing non-compliance and unauthorized activities under the Water Act, with a particular focus on wetland policy implementation. This position is required to assess a diversity of authorized and unauthorized works constructed to alter the natural environment, the application of compliance tools to the avoidance, minimization, and restoration hierarchy found in the department’s wetland policy to promote compliance. This position examines these works within the context of existing and predecessor regulations and sound hydrology, wetland assessment principles, and engineering practices.

 The EPO Wetland Specialist provides technical and regulatory advice including issues pertaining to water drainage works, impacts to wetlands, surface water management, erosion, flooding, and water control structures within the context of existing and predecessor regulations and sound hydrology, wetland assessment principles, and/or engineering practices.

 The additional responsibilities of EPO Wetland Specialist are:

• Support Wetland Policy Implementation
• Participation in the development the provincial wetland program
• Complaint/Incident Response
• Technical support and development of enforcement orders
• Inspections and technical support for remedial investigations
• Educational/Training Programs and Initiatives
• Compliance Sweeps

The role will involve preparation of field notes, photos, reports, displays, and documents for the groundwork for remedial of other enforcement actions. The role requires a broad range of knowledge with a focus on water resource management, hydrology, ecology, engineering, and related environmental legislation and regulations, consistent with qualifications as an aquatic environmental professional.

The Job Description is provided for further details on 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.

Systems Thinking: Considers long-term and system-wide impacts of wetland loss and identifies opportunities to reduce non-compliant behaviour through education, prevention and policy implementation.

Creative Problem Solving: Works with internal and external partners to analyze complex wetland and waterbody restoration issues and recommend practical regulatory solutions.

Build Collaborative Environments: Facilitates open communication across compliance, approvals and policy teams to resolve emerging issues and achieve Compliance Assurance Framework outcomes.

Develop Networks: Builds trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders while providing complex technical and regulatory advice.

Qualifications

Required:  

• Two-year technical diploma in a related field as environmental science, engineering, hydrology, or ecology.
• Seven years of related experience in wetland and water management 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.

Additional requirements include:

• Experience applying water management practices and technologies in agricultural, rural, industrial, municipal, subdivision development, and public land settings.
• Experience assessing wetland disturbances, restoration, replacement, drainage works, flooding, erosion, and water control structures.
• Experience supporting remedial investigations, regulatory enforcement actions, penalty investigations, and prosecutions.
• Knowledge and application of wetland science, water resource management, hydrology, ecology, and remedial projects.
• Knowledge of environmental legislation and regulations.
• Experience as an aquatic environmental professional.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, Environmental Science, or a related field.
• Authenticating Professional designation, or eligibility to obtain within one year.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.

Notes

This position is a permanent, full-time role, with the standard weekly work hours of 36.25, Monday to Friday.

Travel within the area and throughout the province will be required as part of your responsibilities to coordinate with Ministry staff and colleagues, other government departments, clients, and other external stakeholders.

Candidates may be asked to complete a written assignment as a part of the interview process.

Application Information:

• In your application, please include a cover page detailing your interest, and role related experience.
• In your resume, include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part-time or full-time. For example, January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Assistant (PT three 8 hrs. shifts/week).
• Three (3) work-related references are required for those selected for an interview.

Final candidates will be required to undergo a criminal records check (CRC).

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 we have to offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP)  
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information
• Professional learning and development
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.