Director Southern Operations

Role Responsibilities

Every Albertan utilizes water in some capacity every day.  However, most Albertans do not realize where and how the water gets to us.  If you are passionate about the safety, maintenance and operation of dams and canals and have direct experience working with water management infrastructure, then please consider applying to this position where you will have a seat at the table with high level decision making and management with regards to operation and maintenance of the infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities:

Provincially owned water management infrastructure in southern Alberta is effectively managed to ensure reliable and sustainable water supply for irrigation, municipal, industrial, and agricultural purposes.  

• Provide leadership, guidance and direction for the operations of the water management infrastructure ensuring that short and long-term requirements for reliable water supply and in-stream needs for normal conditions, floods and drought.
• Provide leadership, guidance and direction for the development, implementation and monitoring of Operations, Maintenance and Surveillance and Emergency Management for all regional water management infrastructure.
• Meet with key partners, such as irrigation districts, municipalities, First Nations, and other provincial and federal government departments, to share plans, mitigate issues, gather information and offer expert advice on related matters.

 
Sufficient funding and staff resources are available and managed to deliver core operational and maintenance programs, the non-operational maintenance program, and the capital rehabilitation program.

• Lead the regional team in managing and tracking the regional operational budget.
• Provide direct input and leadership for planning, developing and delivering major capital repair/rehabilitation and maintenance programs.
• Liaise with Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors (ATEC) regarding the implementation and effective delivery of capital repair/rehabilitation projects for the regional infrastructure.

Role Responsibilities – continued

Branch wide initiatives are aligned with Division, Department and Government of Alberta business plans, policies and legislation.

• Participate in the development and delivery of the branch business plan ensuring managers and staff participate in and see themselves within the plan.
• Provide leadership and guidance on training and compliance with OH&S regulations, policies and programs with respect to roles and responsibilities as well as achieving and maintaining certification of recognition (CoR).
• As a standing member of Dam Safety Management Program Steering Committee, ensure consistent, timely and effective delivery of all components of the Dam Safety Management Program across the portfolio of water management infrastructure operated and maintained by the Branch.
• Provide direction and leadership related to development and coordination of land administration, contracts and agreements, and SCADA systems management.

 
The Executive Director is supported to provide executive reporting, executive team awareness, and issues management and financial reporting.

• Coordinate with members of the senior leadership team to respond to action requests, and prepare briefings on behalf of the Executive Director as required.
• Participate in preparing and presenting annual executive report on the Dam Safety Management Program status and delivery.
• Prepare and update key messages on emerging issues in coordination with the department Communications Team.
• Provide subject matter expertise on Southern Operations as requested.

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.

Systems Thinking: Impact of operational decisions have significant and far reaching impacts on individuals, industry, local governments and the general public. These range from daily water supply delivery decisions to flood and drought decisions and direction.  Considerable foresight and strategic thinking is required to manage water resources across a diverse and broad user group that usually has diverse objectives.

Agility: Conditions for operation of infrastructure vary seasonally and with unplanned events (i.e. flood, infrastructure failure of damage, climate variability, pandemic response etc.).  Adapting operational plans under pressure is a critical competency to meeting partner needs and plan outcomes. Ensuring a constant state of operational readiness both from an infrastructure and staffing perspective.

Develop Networks: A very high level of networking and connection with a very broad partner community is an essential element of this position.  Ongoing relationship building and maintenance is critical with frequent high level discussions and impactful outcomes as it relates to water management.

Build Collaborative Environments: Conflict evaluation and resolution between competing interests (individual partner interests, capital maintenance priorities and financial resourcing) occurs daily and is only managed by building a collaborative and effective team environment. Effectively dealing with a broad partner group that typically have very diverse objectives is essential. This can range from dealing with a local landowner to dealing with senior executives and elected officials with Irrigation Districts or First Nations.

Qualifications

• University graduation in a field related to the position assignment, (such as engineering), supplemented by seven years progressively responsible related experience or Diploma in a related field (such as engineering), supplemented by nine years of related experience. 
• Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one for one basis. 

A preference will be given to those with:

• Extensive experience in the operation, maintenance and surveillance of water management infrastructure complemented with competent technical skills in civil engineering related to hydraulics, hydrology, water management, earth sciences and contract management.
• Working knowledge of applicable legislation and policy (i.e. Water Act, Public Lands Act, Alberta Dam and Canal Safety Directive), other policies and procedures required to safely operate, maintain, monitor, and manage major water infrastructure. Knowledge of regulatory obligations under federal and provincial legislation related to business continuity and emergency planning and response.
• Awareness of regional and provincial water management issues and initiatives and provide direction to staff for context in meeting department objectives.

Assets: 

• A Professional Designation such as a P.Eng, C.E.T. or related designation.
• Strong project management skills and strategic planning abilities.
• Strong knowledge of contract management and legal procedures.
• Strong skills in developing and maintaining interpersonal relations with staff, internal and external partners and the public.
• Strong skills in negotiating and administering complex agreements with third parties and managing difficult situations.
• Training/ certification(s) in various aspects of the management including OH&S, cyber security courses, 1Gx, financial practices and procedures, and First Nations cultural awareness.
• Understanding of computer-based applications regarding water planning, control systems, real-time operations, maintenance management systems, etc.

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

• Office located Lethbridge: Provincial Building Lethbridge, AB (200 - 5 Avenue S.).
• Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week (permanent full time).
• Monday to Friday (8:15 am- 4:30 pm).
• Work hours may differ as Managers are expected to work the hours needed to fulfill their responsibilities.
• Travel: Some travel up to 25% will be required.

Other Application Information:

• A cover letter is required with your application, outlining how your education and experience aligns with the role.
• This position will require final candidates to undergo a security clearance.
• A valid Driver’s License is required for travel within Alberta.
• Final candidates may be required to undergo a written test demonstrating writing skills and abilities pre or post interviews.
• Please indicate employment duration for all roles listed on your resume and whether you worked part-time or full-time. For example, January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009.
• 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.
• Pension plan: Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP)  https://www.mepp.ca/page/mepp-home.
• 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.
• When operational requirements allow, there is an opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.