Excavating and Trenching Safety Specialist

Role Responsibilities

The Excavation and Trenching Safety Specialist is a provincial specialist who provides subject matter expertise in support of projects, issues, publications, client responses, and front-line compliance and enforcement activities related to the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act, Regulation and Code.  

As a subject matter expert, the incumbent is required to use their specialized knowledge to support the development of legislative provisions related to excavation and trenching. This position is both critical to delivery of front-line services (enforcement of the OHS legislation, investigation of incidents) as well as government operations and priorities.

This position reports to the Safety Team Lead and is a technical member of the team supporting and collaborating with other team members as well as staff within the OHS Program Delivery branch.

The incumbent will:

1. Provide excavation and trenching expertise in reviewing and interpreting the OHS Act, Regulation and Code. Assist in anticipating, identifying, and assessing excavation and trenching  hazards and recommend control measures in all types of provincially regulated workplaces.
   
   
2. Support OHS investigations in responding to reportable incidents by providing subject matter expertise including providing interpretations and opinions, preparing subject matter expert reports and appearing if required in legal proceedings as an expert witness.
   
   
3. Support OHS inspections by providing subject matter expertise, including offering OHS legislation interpretations, opinions, and guidance on compliance and industry best practices.
   
   
4. Provide advice and technical analysis of issues to the Ministry and stakeholders in industry, labour, government, and other agencies regarding a variety of excavation and trenching  hazards.
   
   
5. Participate in the regular review and revision of the OHS legislation and policies relating to excavations and trenching in accordance with the department regulatory review plan.
   
   
6. Develop publications and discuss policy interpretations related to excavations and trenching.
   
   

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.

• Creative Problem Solving - Analytical, logic and problem-solving skills to design and execute valid research into policy and program content and develop policy and program content; and conduct sensitive assessments in the field and ensure their validity.
  
  
• Build Collaborative Environments - Remains apprised of trends, developments and advances in powered mobile and heavy equipment and related subjects, and consults with professionals inside the ministry and externally to remain current.
  
  
• Systems Thinking - Understanding of organizational theory related to relationship dynamics in the workplace in order to anticipate and respond to developments and issues sensitively and effectively.
  
  
• Develop Self and Others - Committed to career development, core values, diversity and inclusion and lifelong learning, with a desire to invest in personal growth and long-term capability to meet the evolving demands of the industry.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Science degree in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Geology, Engineering, Geo-science, Soil Technician plus 4 years experience or Technologist diploma plus 6 years related experience. Preference for Professional Geologist with ability to register with APEGA, or Soil and Geotechnical Tech.

The Excavation and Trenching Safety Specialist must have the following skills and abilities:

• Experience classifying soils, designing or overseeing trench and excavation work, determining slope, designing/constructing shoring or other trench safety devices and knowledge of soil mechanics and geo-technical analysis for trench stability.
  
  
• Knowledgeable in occupational health and safety.
  
  
• Strong problem-solving and interpersonal skills.
  
  
• Ability to use common office software to perform research, gather and analyze data, prepare reports, policy and program materials, education materials and correspondence.
  
  
• Demonstrated good work ethic with a willingness/ability to learn and be mentored on the job to update skills as required.
  
  
• Knowledge and ability to coordinate input and expertise from other divisions, departments, professionals as well as stakeholders on occupational health and safety issues, standards and policies.
  
  
• Knowledge and ability in planning and organizing to develop, coordinate and make recommendations in response to issues and questions.
  
  

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

There is one permanent full-time position, working 36.25 hours, Monday to Friday per week.

Working location is in J.G.O Building, Edmonton.

Final candidates may be required to undergo a security screening.

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 Govenment of Alberta 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.