Surface Water Quality Technologist

Role Responsibilities

Are you passionate about environmental conservation and ready to make an impact? Do you have the skills to undertake water monitoring activities and enjoy outdoor field-oriented work? Are you comfortable around water and able to perform sampling duties in all types of weather conditions? Join our team as a Surface Water Quality Technologist and contribute to safeguarding Alberta's water resources while gaining hands-on experience in environmental monitoring.

Reporting to the Water Monitoring Lead, the Surface Water Quality Technologist will be part of the Ambient Environmental Monitoring Team located in Edmonton. You will be involved in Surface Water Quality Monitoring in the Lower Athabasca Region for the Oil Sands Monitoring (OSM) Program. Applying your skills and knowledge, you will participate in all areas of water monitoring covered by the OSM Program, including hydrometric, meteorological, surface water quality, biological (fish and benthos), and groundwater.

Key Responsibilities:
•    Conduct Surface Water Quality (SWQ) monitoring activities within the Department's plan and mandate and in alignment with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
•    Ensure safe, efficient, and accurate data collection using various equipment and sampling techniques to inform trends in quantity and quality, industrial water use, cumulative effects management, scientific studies, public safety, and ecosystem/watershed protection.
•    Operate, maintain, and calibrate field instrumentation, including sensors, data loggers, and specialized equipment.
•    Collect water, biological, and sediment samples with precision and ensure accurate documentation.
•    Validate, process, and manage environmental data to support critical analysis and reporting.
•    Maintain data integrity and ensure compliance with established quality standards.
•    Respond swiftly to environmental emergencies as required.
•    Collaborate with supervisors and scientists to develop comprehensive work plans and execute approved field monitoring activities.
•    Manage procurement processes and resources to ensure project success.
•    Ensure field equipment is operational, well-maintained, and ready for deployment.
•    Work closely with government agencies, academic institutions, NGOs, and community partners.
•    Provide innovative ideas, solve problems, and identify process enhancement opportunities that support continuous improvement and performance.
•    Respond to environmental emergencies as required.

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.

How Competencies will apply to this role:

Creative Problem Solving requires the ability to assess complex situations and develop innovative solutions. This is demonstrated by adapting field strategies to address unexpected environmental or operational challenges and troubleshooting technical issues with field equipment and instrumentation in remote locations.

Agility involves maintaining resilience and flexibility in dynamic environments to adapt to shifting priorities or unforeseen circumstances. The role demands effective responses to environmental emergencies, such as spills or invasive species incidents, and the ability to adjust work plans and timelines based on field conditions and changing priorities.

Drive for Results reflects a strong commitment to achieving high-quality outcomes. This includes ensuring timely and accurate collection, validation, and reporting of water quality data while delivering project milestones within deadlines and adhering to safety and quality standards.

Building Collaborative Environments emphasizes the importance of creating and maintaining effective relationships with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders to achieve shared goals. This is exemplified by working with diverse groups such as government agencies, academic institutions, and NGOs, while mentoring junior staff and fostering a team-oriented approach to problem-solving.  

Qualifications

Required:

Education:
•    Two-year technical diploma in a water related environmental field of study. 

Experience:
•    A minimum of four (4) years of experience in all aspects of water monitoring.

Other:
•    Valid class 5 driver’s license (or equivalent). 
•    Ability to swim. 
•    Comfortable in helicopters and boats.

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.

Assets:
•    Proficiency and experience with MS Office Applications including technical software applications is required, (eg., various multi-probe calibration/programming software). 
•    Proficiency in operating, maintaining, and calibrating specialized field equipment such as sensors, data loggers, and water sampling instruments.
•    Familiarity with navigating and operating specialized vehicles, including boats, snow machines, and ATVs.
•    Safety Certifications, including Standard First Aid, Defensive Driving, Collision Avoidance, Trailering, WHMIS, TDG, Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC), Small Domestic Vessel Basic Safety/Small Vessel Operator Proficiency, Wildlife Awareness, Swift Water Rescue, and Ice Safety Rescue Technician.
•    Current  designation or eligibility for membership in a professional or technical association (e.g., CET or P. Biol.) is preferred.
•    Ability to conduct fieldwork in diverse and potentially challenging environmental conditions, including remote locations.

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.

About Your Work Conditions:
In t this role, you will operate specialized vehicles such as boats, snow machines, and ATVs. The Water Quality team frequently travels by helicopter, so comfort with flying and heights is required. This position involves outdoor work in challenging weather and road conditions, with potential exposure to domestic animals and wildlife. Swimming ability is crucial. Flexibility is essential, as long hours and weekend work may be required in the field.

You will primarily be working in the field and traveling to remote areas under a wide range of conditions using 4x4 trucks, helicopters, boats, snowmobiles, ATVs, canoes, and trailers. However, you will be based in an office, lab, or warehouse setting located in Edmonton.

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).

Any costs associated with obtaining required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain 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/alberta-public-service-human-resource-directives.
•    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 agreements.
•    Leadership and mentorship programs.