Technical and Compliance Expert

Role Responsibilities

The Technical and Compliance Expert is a highly specialized provincial expert who ensures that Alberta's rural gas distribution systems operate safely, reliably, and in full compliance with provincial legislation, technical standards, and industry codes. This is a highly specialized engineering position where there are only a handful of experts across both the private and public sector in Alberta. This role supports and may lead initiatives on behalf of the Chief Officer under the Gas Distribution Act (GDA), including the setting and enforcement of all standards related to the design, construction, operation, maintenance, quality assurance, plant records, surveys and as-built drawings for rural gas utilities and low-pressure distribution pipelines. This role also provides the Government of Alberta with specialized expertise in the Technical Standards Manual, CSA Z662, and the oversight of distributors' Operations and Maintenance (O&M) manuals.

The position leads compliance and enforcement under the GDA, conducts technical investigations, and represents the Government of Alberta on Canadian Standards Association (CSA) committees to support the development and application of national standards. Through this work, the role safeguards public safety, supports regulatory integrity, and maintains consistent technical oversight across all rural gas distribution systems. As a specialized expert, this position must integrate new information as it arises and develop creative approaches in resolving issues where little precedent exists. 

Reporting to the Director of Rural Utilities and Chief Officer, The Technical and Compliance Expert is responsible for:

1. Technical Compliance and Regulatory Oversight

• Conduct technical compliance assessments in a timely, thorough, and objective manner in accordance with departmental policies, procedures, engineering standards, and operating guidelines.
• Lead technical reviews and support investigations by:
  
  • Engaging with applicants, utility operators, contractors, and co-operative board members.
  • Gathering, securing, and analyzing technical data.
  • Reviewing engineering drawings and system records.
  • Preparing comprehensive technical reports.
• Apply expert working knowledge of legislation, regulations, codes, and standards governing rural gas, water, and wastewater utilities.
• Exercise sound engineering judgment, discretion, and professionalism when evaluating compliance issues, interpreting technical information, and making recommendations.
• Prepare technical documentation and provide expert testimony for hearings, appeals, or regulatory proceedings.
• Solve complex problems related to low pressure gas distribution systems.
• Respond to stakeholder inquiries and requests related to gas distribution.
• Manage a high volume of complex technical files while maintaining accuracy, consistency, and adherence to regulatory requirements.

Role Responsibilities cont.

2. Technical Leadership and Cross Functional Coordination

• Act as the technical lead on multi disciplinary or cross functional reviews requiring coordination with engineers, investigators, or program staff.
• Coordinate input and resources from a wide range of technical and professional sources to address specific issues.
• Maintain a systems view of existing gas systems, energy sources, and infrastructure while anticipating technological trends, opportunities, and future challenges.
• Demonstrate advanced technological knowledge and expertise of the gas system.

3. Strategic Analysis and Policy Insight

• As the authority on GDA compliance, provide expert technical advice to the Branch and identify potential trends affecting gas policy and outcomes.
• Address diverse, complex, and politically sensitive issues requiring creative, innovative, and well reasoned solutions.
• Conduct independent research to define issues, identify implications, and develop appropriate recommendations.
• Demonstrate in depth knowledge of government policies and initiatives, including the impacts of current trends and priorities on these policies.
• Maintain awareness of the implications of advice provided to stakeholders such as government, industry, and consumers.

4. Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management

• Liaise with municipalities, utility boards, industry representatives, consultants, and other government departments to support compliance, safety, and program objectives.
• Engage with professional staff and managers across Government of Alberta departments to secure input and develop alignment on strategies and policy directions.
• Work with agencies and gas sector stakeholders to gather input and generate ideas for strategy development.
• Interact with counterparts in other jurisdictions to exchange knowledge, compare regulatory approaches, and support continuous improvement.

5. Organizational Alignment and Ministerial Authority

• Serve as the ministerial authority on rural gas distribution systems, working with minimal supervision while maintaining regular communication with the Director and Chief Officer.
• Ensure work is guided by the Technical Standards Manual, CSA Z662, O&M manuals, the Gas Distribution Act (GDA), and APEGA standards.
• Consider the roles, expertise, and impacts within the Rural Utilities team and the Strategic Initiatives and Rural Utilities Branch when addressing projects and issues.
• Ensure awareness and engagement with the Executive Director, Director, Manager(s), and team to explore problems and potential approaches.

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: Assesses options and implications in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions.
• Agility: Requires extreme flexibility and an adaptable mentality to navigate the often-high project demands coupled with multiple government processes.
• Drive for Results: Involves working on numerous files with multiple deadlines which requires a focused mindset on developing tasks and milestones with efficient execution.
• Systems Thinking: Requires strong systems thinking to understand how to support the government's vision and strategy with sound technical policy advice that will have direct and indirect impacts to the gas system and key stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree in Engineering, Bachelors of Science in Engineering, Applied Science or Geology or Geophysics or graduation from a recognized School of Architecture, plus ten years related experience; or equivalent as described below.
• Eligible for membership with the APEGA. 

Equivalency:

Related education or experience considered based on: 

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or 
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

Required Experience: 

• Project Management.
• Analysis and Research.

Assets:

• Experience working within the natural gas sector, related Agencies, Consumer Groups, or Utilities in increasingly responsible related roles.
• Experience in interpreting relevant legislation, regulatory framework, and policies such as the Gas Distribution Act, Gas Utilities Act, or, the Alberta Utilities Commission Act, to provide feasible recommendations to management and executive leadership.

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

Additional Position Details:

• Term of Employment: Temporary (2 Years), Full-time position.
• Hours of Work: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm, 7.25 hours daily/36.25 weekly – Monday to Friday.
• Location: Edmonton or Red Deer 

Recruitment Process:

• In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. For example, January 2006 – June 2009 (part-time). This example is provided for illustrative purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to present their information clearly and thoroughly, using a format that best conveys their experience.
• 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 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.