Contaminant Hydrogeologist

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Manager, Operational Practice and Education, the Contaminant Hydrogeologist provides senior-level regulatory expertise and guidance on groundwater quality assessments, exposure controls, and guideline calculations as they relate to contaminated sites management. 

This position is recognized as the program expert in the calculation and application of groundwater guidelines, assessment of complex hydrogeology, and modelling of contaminant migration. The CS Groundwater Specialist operates within the context of provincial environmental legislation, departmental policies, and the Regulatory Assurance Framework to provide release owners with clear regulatory direction that support effective management, assessment, and remediation of groundwater contamination to protect human health and the environment. 

The position contributes to the development of operational procedures, policy, and external education, and plays a critical role in supporting both internal teams and external stakeholders, including industry, consultants, and government agencies.

Overall responsibility is to ensure that contaminated sites are properly assessed, managed, and remediated based on desired outcomes, department priorities and policies. The primary role of the Contaminant Hydrogeologist involves data-driven, risk-informed management expressed through advice, recommendations, and regulatory expectations. This position also works with the Unit Manager on priorities and discusses actions on files as required. 

Specific activities include:

• Identifying policy gaps and working collaboratively on solutions, including the development of operational policy and other innovative solutions.
• Providing direction and mentorship to other staff when needed.
• Lead development of operational guidance and processes, including knowledge articles, processes, and guidance materials.
• Must maintain a holistic and objective perspective to ensure fairness, consistency and clarity in program delivery.
• Review of guideline modifications and site-specific guidelines.
• May review stakeholder submissions including, but not limited to, environmental site assessments, risk management plans, and site-specific risk assessments.

The work performed is within the current mandate of the Department and the provisions of the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA), Water Act, associated regulations and provincial and national standards/guidelines for the protection of the environment and human health, and restoring land to productive uses.

This competition may be used to fill other permanent and temporary opportunities.

 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:

• Agility – Ability to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, maintain resilience and work effectively in changing environments. 
• Creative Problem-Solving – Ability to assess options and implications in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions.
• Systems Thinking – Work done is part of a larger integrated and interrelated environment. Allows us to keep broader impacts and connections in mind.
• Develop Networks – Proactively building networks, connecting, and building trust in relationships with stakeholders.
• Build Collaborative Environments – Leads and contributes to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively.
• Drive for Results – Knowing what outcomes are important and maximizing resources to achieve results that are aligned with the goals of the organization while maintaining accountability. 

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• University degree in Engineering or Applied Science, or Geoscience.
• Five years of related experience. 
• Must be eligible for membership with APEGA as a professional Engineer or Geoscientist.

Equivalency:

• Additional related education considered in lieu of experience on a one-for-one basis, to a maximum of 2 years.

Assets:

• Effective communication skills, with experience in communicating with stakeholders in a manner that provides knowledge, educates and reflects empathy. 
• Additional related education considered in lieu of experience on a one-for-one basis, to a maximum of 2 years.
• Interpersonal, negotiation and conflict resolution skills and experience in working with industry, the public, government and other agencies on often sensitive and financially significant issues.
• Detailed experience and knowledge in the primary issues related to environmental contamination management in Alberta.
• Expert experience in the practical application of the Alberta Tier 1 and 2 soil and groundwater remediation guidelines (2022 as amended).
• Expert experience applying risk management or exposure control measures and assessing effectiveness.
• Experience and working knowledge of Alberta’s environmental legislation, regulations and guidelines related to contaminated site assessment and remediation including: EPEA (Part 5); Alberta’s Contaminated Sites Policy Framework and other relevant regulations, codes of practice, and guidance.
• Experience in assessing vapour inhalation risks, or managing vapour issues, is not a position requirement but would be considered an asset.
• Ability to interpret data from technical reports, environmental site assessments, risk management and remediation programs and exposure control programs.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of applicable field and laboratory evaluation, testing, monitoring, sampling and QA/QC procedures to determine, assess and validate reported soil, groundwater and vapour quality conditions.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of general and organic chemistry, environmental chemistry, transport and fate of contaminants in environmental media (soil, groundwater and vapor).
• Strong organizational skills.
• Computer proficiency including Microsoft Office 365.
• An understanding of the importance of proper records management.

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: Permanent, Full-time position.
• Hours of Work: 7.25 hours daily / 36.25 weekly – Monday to Friday.
• This position is a non-supervisory position. 
• Location: Edmonton, Calgary, or Red Deer

Recruitment Process:

• 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.