Lands Officer

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Lands Team Lead, the Lands Officer plays a pivotal role in the regulatory review, issuance, and lifecycle management of industrial, commercial, recreational, and bed and shore activities on crown lands. These lands include public and park lands, which are managed in accordance with Integrated Resource Management principles, policies, legislation, and department directives.

As a key contributor to land stewardship, the Lands Officer ensures the long-term sustainability of public lands, balancing the development and use of these lands with respect to ecosystem, environmental, and social values. This role involves assessing activity eligibility and providing guidance to a wide range of stakeholders, including municipal authorities, tourism operators, recreational groups, sand and gravel businesses, residential developers, and energy industries (oil and gas), ensuring that crown land is managed for the benefit of all Albertans.  

This role will also need to be aware and familiar with relevant related legislation such as the Provincial Parks Act, Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, Water Act and Forests Act. 

Key Responsibilities:

•    Review applications for industrial, commercial, recreational, and other activities, ensuring compliance with established regulatory procedures and policy direction.
•    Provide expert advice and guidance to diverse stakeholders, including municipal, provincial, and Indigenous groups, while facilitating consultation processes and ensuring the long-term sustainability of crown lands.
•    Conduct compliance inspections, audits, and reclamation activities, ensuring that regulatory requirements are met, and incidents of non-compliance are effectively addressed through an abatement approach or referred to the Compliance Program.
•    Work in collaboration with other divisions, branches, and ministries to ensure balanced, integrated land-use decisions that preserve the integrity of crown lands and resources.
•    Conduct routine field inspections and audits across the region, traveling by truck (4x4), OHV, and snowmobile, with frequent public interactions to provide education, address concerns, and manage land-use authorizations.
 

Please click on this link to view the job description.

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.

Build Collaborative Environments: Leads and contributes to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively.

Creative Problem-Solving: Assesses options and implications in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions.

Agility: Adapts to changing priorities while maintaining resilience and working effectively in changing environments.

Develop Networks: Builds networks and trusting relationships with stakeholders.

Drive for Results: Knows what outcomes are important and maximizes resources to achieve results that are aligned with the goals of the organization while maintaining accountability.

Qualifications

Required: 
•    A completed university degree in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Technology, Forest Technology, Natural Sciences or a related field.
•    Minimum 4 years of related experience with the principles and practices of integrated land management.
•    A valid Class 5 Driver’s License (or equivalent).
 

Equivalencies may be considered: A related two-year diploma plus 6 years of related experience. Additional related education considered in lieu of experience on one year of experience for one year of education.

Assets:
•    Experience in administering applicable government legislation, regulations, and policies (i.e. Public Lands Act, Public Lands Administration Regulation, Provincial Parks Act, Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, Water Act, Weed Control Act, Forests Act, Forest and Prairie Protection Act, and the Mines and Minerals Act).
•    Working knowledge of Public Lands application process.
•    Experience with stakeholder engagement, both internal and external, such as with industry, recreation groups, environmental organizations, indigenous communities, and municipalities.
•    Experience operating specialized equipment such as electronic information and tracking systems, ATVs, 4X4 trucks in off-highway conditions, GPS units, and trailer units. 
•    Experience with ArcGIS.

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 competition is for one full-time permanent position located in Grande Prairie.

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

Employees who work and reside in locations between the 55th and 57th parallels (excluding those eligible for the Fort McMurray Allowance) may be eligible for an annual retention bonus of $6,000.00, less all lawful deductions. Please visit this link to learn more: https://www.alberta.ca/premium-pay-directive. 

Applicants are advised to provide a cover letter summarizing information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements including education, experience and relevant examples of required competencies. 

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).
Example: 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.
Example: Bachelor of Social Work, 4-year Degree (Graduated 2017).

What the GoA has to offer:

•    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.

Resources for Applicants:
•    https://www.alberta.ca/apply-for-jobs-with-the-alberta-public-service.aspx.
•    https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-hiring-process.aspx.
•    https://alis.alberta.ca/look-for-work/.