Director Fish & Wildlife South

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Fish and Wildlife - South Region, will lead the strategic delivery and implementation of fish, wildlife and species at risk conservation and management, and related habitat programs across southern Alberta, and contribute to provincial-scale policies and initiatives. You will also influence provincial, regional, and subregional environmental and natural resource plans, objectives, thresholds, and actions.

The Director supports and contributes to effective delivery of Ministry, Divisional and Branch business and operational plans. This is accomplished by:
•    Identifying and delivering operational and policy requirements supporting regional and provincial fish, wildlife, species at risk and habitat conservation and management goals and outcomes.
•    Proactively collaborating across Ministries, with regional and provincial program leads, and external partners to strategically leverage and integrate resources.
•    Ensuring the development of science-based information, and the conveyance of that information to decision makers within and outside of government.
•    Incorporating results-based budgeting in reviewing and ensuring budget expenditures are utilized in a cost-effective manner.
•    Providing briefing materials and analyses of issues and providing recommended solutions and alternatives.

You will foster an engaging, respectful, and professional work environment, with focus on the conservation and management of fish and wildlife resources and founded on the Alberta Public Service (APS) values of Integrity, Respect, Accountability and Excellence. You will provide leadership for south region Senior Managers and professional, technical and scientific staff, as well as provide tools, processes, and training to enable them to effectively meet the challenges of delivering on the department's mandate in relation to fish, wildlife, species at risk and habitat conservation, management, assessment and reporting.

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.

Agility: The ability to effectively prioritize and manage programs and workloads, demonstrating adaptability and flexibility in responding to shifting priorities, emerging issues, and changing directions, while consistently meeting deadlines and organizational objectives.

Building Collaborative Environments: The capacity to foster collaboration and partnerships across diverse stakeholders, including internal divisions, government entities, Indigenous communities, fish and wildlife user groups, conservation organizations, academia, research organizations and industry groups. This competency requires balancing conflicting stakeholder interests and providing science-informed, evidence-based advice and decisions that align with organizational mandates and fiscal constraints.

Developing Networks: The skill to establish, engage, and maintain strong relationships within government and with various stakeholders, organizations, and communities. This involves sharing information, discussing concerns, and collaborating to meet the department's goals and mandates, thereby building a robust support system for achieving strategic objectives.

Systems Thinking: The ability to apply strategic thinking, analysis, and planning to integrate scientific, social, and economic considerations into cohesive and sustainable programs. This competency ensures the translation of complex information into actionable conservation and management plans aligned with government processes and goals.

Creative Problem Solving: The capacity to address complex challenges by applying risk assessment, issue management, and an understanding of trade-offs. This competency involves generating innovative and credible solutions, ensuring the successful delivery of well-considered programs and initiatives.

Qualifications

Required:
•    A bachelor’s degree in conservation biology, ecology, environmental sciences, biological sciences, or a closely related natural resource management field.  
•    A minimum of 6 years of progressive leadership experience in managing fish, wildlife, species at risk, and habitat programs at the regional or provincial level. 
•    A valid Class 5 driver’s license or equivalent.

Equivalency:
•    Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one for one basis.

Assets:
•    Experience in delivering fish and wildlife conservation and management programs, implementing field-based initiatives and research programs, and overseeing population monitoring efforts.  
•    Breadth and depth of knowledge of applicable provincial and federal legislation, regulations, and policies relevant to the Alberta's fish, wildlife, species at risk, habitat, and land use planning and approvals programs (e.g., Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, Water Act, Public Lands Act, Fisheries (Alberta) Act, Wildlife Act, Alberta Land Stewardship Act, Forests Act, federal Species at Risk Act, federal Fisheries Act).

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 full-time, permanent position and will consider Lethbridge, Calgary or Red Deer as location preferences. Consideration may be given to other adjacent locations within the South Region.

The work schedule is Monday to Friday, from 8:15 AM to 4:30 PM, totaling 36.25 hours per week.

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. Candidates may be required to prepare and deliver a brief presentation to further evaluate their knowledge, experience, and communication skills.

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).

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

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 has to offer to prospective employees.
•    Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
•    Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.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.
•    Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement.
•    Leadership and mentorship programs.