Oil Sands Monitoring Watershed Scientist

Role Responsibilities

Are you passionate about water resource management and environmental sustainability? Join us as the OSM Watershed Scientist and play a pivotal role in protecting Alberta's lotic systems amidst the challenges of industrial development, climate change, and population growth.

As a member of the Oil Sands Monitoring (OSM) Program, you will be at the forefront of monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on the condition of Alberta’s watersheds. Your expertise in surface water quality and lotic systems will ensure scientifically credible insights for responsible resource management.

This role offers the opportunity to collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams and lead innovative research and monitoring programs. Your work will directly contribute to Alberta's environmental sustainability and enhance public confidence in our stewardship of natural resources.

Key Responsibilities:
•    Develop and improve long-term water quality monitoring and research programs for Alberta’s lotic systems.
•    Safeguard the implementation of monitoring and research projects, ensuring alignment with best practices and safety standards.
•    Analyze and synthesize environmental data for publication in peer-reviewed journals, technical reports, and state-of-the-environment assessments.
•    Work with Indigenous communities, government agencies, industry, and academic stakeholders to integrate scientific knowledge and practices. 

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.

Systems Thinking: Takes a long-term view of challenges, aligning programs with strategic goals and stakeholder needs by designing and prioritizing lotic monitoring and research programs while integrating them with other environmental initiatives to address cumulative effects.

Creative Problem Solving: Develops innovative solutions for complex issues by analyzing root causes and leveraging resources effectively, such as creating new methods to evaluate water quality trends using advanced statistical tools like R and addressing uncertainties in lotic system impacts.

Drive for Results: Delivers on priorities by monitoring performance and adapting strategies to achieve impactful outcomes, including leading data analysis for water monitoring projects and producing technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, and actionable summaries for stakeholders.

Build Collaborative Environments: Promotes teamwork and resolves conflicts to foster commitment and shared goals, demonstrated by partnering with Indigenous communities to braid traditional knowledge with science in co-designed water monitoring programs.

Develop Self and Others: Encourages growth through mentorship, feedback, and skill development by mentoring graduate students and team members and enhancing research design and data analysis skills through training and guidance.

Qualifications

Requirements:

Education:
Ph.D. in a relevant scientific discipline related to lotic systems, such as Aquatic Chemistry, Aquatic Ecology, Statistics, Sediment Transport and Fate, Biogeochemistry, Limnology, or Water Resources.

Experience:
Minimum of 2 years of post-doctoral or equivalent work experience in:
•    Design and implementation of water research and monitoring programs.
•    Analysis and reporting of large environmental datasets.
•    Publishing primary and collaborative peer-reviewed scientific research.

Equivalency:
•    Master’s degree plus 4 years of related experience; or
•    University graduation in a related field, plus 6 years of related experience.

Assets:
•    Expertise in using (geo)statistical methods to analyze large environmental datasets with software such as R.  
•    Ability to develop and apply new and emerging methods for assessing watershed and lotic system status and trends.
•    Experience in field sampling and laboratory analysis.  
•    Ability to present scientific information to diverse audiences, including stakeholders, public audiences, senior executives, and the scientific community.  
•    Familiarity with Alberta's acts, environmental regulations, water quality standards, and related policies.

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

This is a full-time, permanent position based in Edmonton, Alberta. The work schedule is Monday to Friday, from 8:15 AM to 4:30 PM, totaling 36.25 hours per week.

Please submit your cover letter and updated resume, including clear and concise specific examples that demonstrate how your qualifications meet the advertised requirements and competencies. 

Resume Guidelines:
Employment Experience:
•    Indicate the duration of employment (month, year).
•    Specify the employment status (e.g., casual, part-time, or full-time).
•    Example: Youth Worker, Jan 2006 - June 2009, Part-time (three 8-hour shifts/week).

Post-Secondary Education:
•    Specify your major and the length of the program.
•    Indicate the year of graduation.
•    Example: Bachelor of Social Work, 4-year Degree (Graduated 2017).

Final candidates will 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 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.