Senior Land Management Specialist

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Manager of Land, Ecosystems and Conservation, the Senior Land Management Specialist provides strategic leadership and technical expertise in the management of Crown lands. The position oversees and mentors a team of professionals including land management specialists, planners and ecologists to support responsible management of Crown lands. They will lead the design and implementation of projects and programs based on the principles of integrated land management, address complex land-use issues, plan for recreational trails, and provide oversight of our protected areas. The role collaborates with stakeholders and numerous government ministries to ensure land management decisions align with the requirements of the Public Lands Act and other related legislation, regulations, and government policies.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

•    Delivery of local and regional programs and projects that support responsible Crown land management addressing complex pressures and issues often requiring trade-off decision-making.
•    Provide leadership and oversight to resource management planning including coordinating trail management plans, delivering on stewardship of Alberta’s protected area network and supporting sub-regional planning initiatives.
•    Lead Indigenous, stakeholder and public engagement, facilitation and mediation to seek solutions on contentious and sometimes divisive land management issues.
•    Provide direct supervision, mentorship and performance management to a team of professional staff.
•    Resolve complex issues dealing with allocation, planning and use of Crown land. This can include acting as a department subject matter expert on Crown land issues, and supporting ministerial and executive briefings.

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

Builds Collaborative Environment : Engages diverse stakeholders and fosters collaboration through shared resources and inclusive dialogue. Resolves conflict through facilitation and coaching while valuing different perspectives to achieve outcomes.

Creative Problem Solving: Uses diverse approaches to analyze problems and generate solutions. Encourages collaboration and brings the right people together to resolve issues.

Agility: Adapts quickly to changing priorities and incorporates improvements into work. Stays composed under pressure and helps others adjust to change.

Develop Self and Others: Builds individual and team capability through learning and development. Promotes shared learning and supports personal development planning.

Systems Thinking: Considers broader trends, risks, and context when making decisions. Aligns actions with organizational goals and addresses barriers to progress.

Qualifications

Mimum Requirements:

A completed four (4) year university degree in natural sciences or related field such as environmental science, natural resource management, ecology, recreation, forestry, fish and wildlife, species at risk, biodiversity, natural resource planning.  A minimum of 6 years directly related experience.

Equivalencies will be considered as follows: 

▪ A related two-year diploma plus 8 years related experience. 
▪ Additional related education considered in lieu of experience on a one-for-one basis. 

Additional Requirement:

•    Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
•    Strong organizational, time-management, and problem-solving abilities.
•    Demonstrated leadership experience, including mentoring staff and fostering a positive work environment.
•    Experience in stakeholder engagement, facilitation, negotiation, consensus building, and conflict resolution.
•    Proven ability to build collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders and partners.
•    Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Teams, SharePoint, and ArcGIS.
•    Knowledge of legislation, policies, and guidelines related to ecosystem, land, and resource management, including Public Lands Act; Wilderness Areas Ecological Reserves Natural Areas Heritage Rangelands Act; Forests Act; Alberta Land Stewardship Act; Wildlife Act; Fisheries (Alberta) Act; Water Act; Provincial Parks Act.

Assets: 

•    Crown land and natural resource management, land-use planning, and recreation management.
•    Application of provincial legislation and policies, particularly public lands and conservation legislation.
•    Balancing biodiversity and ecosystem conservation with industrial, recreational, and other land uses.
•    Planning and management of recreational trail networks and protected areas.
•    Industrial development and permitting related to oil and gas, forestry, and grazing.
•    Stakeholder engagement and multi-interest collaboration processes.
•    Federal legislation related to species at risk and migratory birds.
•    Operating off-highway vehicles, snowmobiles, and four-wheel-drive vehicles in remote environments.

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

•    The position is based in Edmonton or Calgary

•    Monday – Friday, 7.25 hours per day / 36.25 hours per week

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 the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Instructions for your Resume:

For Employment Experience:

Please indicate duration of employment (month, year)
Please specify employment status (i.e. casual, part-time or full-time)
E.g.: Youth Worker, Jan 2006 - June 2009, Part-time (three, 8 hour shifts/week)

For any Post-Secondary Education:

Please specify your major and length of program
Please specify the year you graduated
E.g.: Bachelor of Social Work, 4-year Degree (Graduated 2017)

Links and information on what the GoA have 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.
•    Leadership and mentorship programs.