Water Mgmt Modeling Engineer

Role Responsibilities

Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation has an exciting opportunity for an individual with expertise in irrigation water demand modelling and irrigation water management in the province. 

As the Water Management Modeling Engineer, you will lead irrigation water demand modelling and support district-scale water management initiatives. This position supports the goals of the Irrigation Strategy and identifies, and addresses challenges related to water supply and irrigation demand and their impact on Alberta's agriculture industry.

In this role you will lead the Modelling and Data team, focusing on irrigation demand modelling and irrigation data management. Key responsibilities include operating, maintaining, and enhancing a basin-scale irrigation demand model for projects such as: irrigation district area expansion, future basin water management planning initiatives, sustainable development of irrigation infrastructure, and assessment of the effects of climate variability on irrigation water supply and demand. You will provide expertise for policy development to support water conservation and efficiency. In this role, you will collaborate with irrigation districts, consultants, industry associations, and government agencies.

Major responsibilities include:

• Leading water modelling projects relating to irrigation demand and supply in irrigated basins of Alberta.
• Assessing water availability under conditions of varying demand and supply as impacted by variable conditions.
• Supporting sustainable irrigation development by assessing risks and opportunities of new large-scale irrigation projects through irrigation modelling analysis.
• Collaborating with the irrigation sector on collecting and reporting information on the sector’s state.

This position requires strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, along with advanced abilities in irrigation-related data, geospatial data, and water demand modelling. Excellent project management, time management, and organizational skills are essential, and a thorough understanding of Alberta's irrigation sector and relevant legislation, programs, policies, and operations are necessary for success.

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.

Drive for Results - Takes and delegates responsibility for outcomes by using a variety of resources to monitor performance standards, acknowledging even indirect responsibility, committing to what is good for Albertans even if not immediately accepted, and reaching goals consistent with APS direction.

Develop Networks - Works on maintaining close relations with all stakeholders by identifying key relationships, engaging with a range of interested parties, actively incorporating the needs of a broader group, and influencing others through effective communication techniques.

Systems Thinking - Takes a holistic, long-term view of organizational objectives and how to achieve them by anticipating outcomes and potential impacts, seeking stakeholder perspectives, aligning actions and plans with APS values, and collaborating with others to identify opportunities for partnership.

Creative Problem Solving - Engages the community and available resources to address issues by seeking diverse perspectives to identify root causes, finding ways to improve complex systems, employing resources from various areas to solve problems, and encouraging debate and idea generation while managing risks.

Build Collaborative Environments - Facilitates open communication and leverages team skills by utilizing the knowledge and abilities of others, genuinely valuing and learning from them, promoting respectful conflict resolution, and recognizing and appreciating contributions.

Qualifications

A university degree in Engineering supplemented by five years of work experience with demonstrated expertise in a relevant area of water resources management such as civil engineering, hydrology, or physical geography, or equivalent as described below: 

Equivalency: Additional related education considered in lieu of experience on a one-for-one basis.

The following are required for this role:

• Eligible for membership as a Professional Member with APEGA.
• Demonstrated experience in irrigation water demand modelling, water quantity modelling or related. 

Experience with irrigated agriculture and irrigation conveyance infrastructure as applicable to Alberta is an asset. 

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 for more information.

Notes

This position works Monday to Friday, 8:15 am to 4:30pm, 36.25 hours a week. 

Please note that this position is Opted out and Excluded from the Bargaining Union 

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.
• 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
• 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