Manager, Agricultural Meteorology

Role Responsibilities

As the Agricultural Meteorology Manager, you will play a pivotal role in advancing agricultural meteorology data and services by leveraging your expertise to lead a dynamic team. Your responsibilities will encompass overseeing the planning, development, and implementation of climate and weather-related tools and services tailored for agricultural decision-making. This involves ensuring that these tools facilitate real-time, data-driven decisions that support sustainable crop production and landscape management practices. You will also be tasked with ensuring high quality data is collected across Alberta, interpreting this meteorological information and guiding its application to optimize agronomic outcomes. 

A significant aspect of your role will involve analyzing data and developing information related to climate and weather, including those for emergency preparedness and landscape management. You will work closely with various stakeholders, including government agencies, industry partners, and research institutions, to align this information with current and future needs. Identifying and assessing new opportunities for partnerships will be crucial in enhancing the effectiveness and reach of your initiatives. 

Additionally, you will be responsible for crafting policies that integrate climate and weather considerations into agricultural practices and staying abreast of technological advancements to incorporate relevant innovations. Your leadership will be essential in driving sustainable agricultural practices through the strategic application of meteorological data, ensuring that producers and stakeholders are well-equipped to handle both routine and extreme weather conditions.

Key responsibilities include:
 

• Leading the development and delivery of AgMet services, including data collection, analysis, and dissemination.
• Providing technical input into the design and implementation of agrometeorological components of the Alberta Climate Information Service. 
• Managing a team of specialists and coordinating their efforts to meet strategic goals.
• Developing partnerships with industry and academic institutions to drive innovation in agricultural meteorology.
• Ensuring the effective communication of weather and climate information to farmers and other stakeholders including media interviews, regular online moisture updates, and presentations to executive leadership. 
• Overseeing resource allocation and overall management of the AgMet unit.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviours 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.

Competencies for this Position:

• Systems Thinking: Anticipate and plan for long-term impacts and outcomes.
• Drive for Results: Focus on delivering results that are beneficial for Albertans.
• Creative Problem Solving: Innovate and find new ways to approach complex challenges.
• Develop Networks: Build strong, trust-based relationships across the organization and with external partners.
• Build Collaborative Environments: Foster teamwork and resolve conflicts positively.

Qualifications

• University graduation in a related field (e.g., Agriculture, Agrometeorology, Meteorology, Environmental Science). 
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in agricultural meteorology or a related area. 

Equivalencies: Directly related experience or education considered on the basis of one year of experience for one year of education.

Further Requirements for the Role:

• Proficiency in meteorological data analysis and application.
• Experience in program development, planning, and evaluation.
• Knowledge of agricultural production and sustainable management practices in Alberta. 
• Strong leadership and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. 
• Experience in a database management system such as Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Server, My SQL and/or Oracle, within a weather network.
• Proficiency with SAS analytics software. 

Assets:

• Advanced degrees in a related field.
• Experience in government or public sector roles.
• Experience with ARCMap and ARCGIS 
• Experience with climate station measurement technologies.

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

• Office is located in Edmonton
• Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week (full time)
• Monday to Friday (8:15 am to 4:30 pm)
• Flexible start/end times may be considered

Other Application Information:

• A cover letter explaining how your education and experience qualifies you for the role is preferred.
• Final candidates may be required to undergo a written test demonstrating writing skills and abilities after interviews.
• 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.

What We Offer:

• 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 after three months employment. 
• Leadership and mentorship programs