Rangeland Agrologist

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Rangeland Approvals Team Lead, and working as part of a team of Agrologists, the Rangeland Agrologist is responsible for delivering the Rangeland Approvals Program. This position provides professional expertise, extensive knowledge and decision making on agricultural crown land.  
 

This position administers crown land agriculture dispositions while ensuring compliance under multiple legislations and policies and provides professional expertise with respect to range management practices to disposition holders, the public and other professionals in government and industry. This is a regulatory, land management role that makes integrated, multi-faceted decisions to manage the ecological integrity of agricultural crown lands while facilitating responsible economic development, multiple-use opportunities, and land allocation through consultation. 
 

Note: This position requires extensive fieldwork, operating off highway and ATV vehicles, driving on gravel roads (and highways), and working alone around livestock in remote areas where wildlife may be present.  
 

Key responsibilities include:

• Assessing and auditing crown land agricultural dispositions within the current regulatory structure
• Issuing approvals and authorizations within the current regulatory structure
• Managing and administering Alberta’s vacant public lands and participating in integrated land management decisions to promote responsible development and protect ecological integrity
• Providing support in the administration and management of the Allotments within the Forest Reserve.
• Evaluating the highest and best agricultural sustainable use of public lands to meet the needs of development, conservation, and stewardship
• Providing input into land management and operational policy, as well as program development, within Environment and Protected Areas and Forestry and Parks to represent district and regional interest
• Providing subject matter expertise regarding legislation and regulations to ensure transparency of processes and programs on agricultural crown land
• Supporting the Ministry by providing professional services to the people of Alberta while upholding Alberta Public Services values of respect, accountability, integrity, and excellence

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 inner-related environment. Allows us to keep broader impacts and connections in mind.
 

Develop Networks: Proactively building networks, connecting, and building trust in relationships with stakeholders.
 

Drive for Results: Knowing what outcomes are important and maximizing resources to achieve results aligned with the organization's goals while maintaining accountability.

Qualifications

Requirements: 

• A University Degree in Agriculture, Environmental Sciences, or a related field.
• Plus 3 years of related experience.
• Professional Agrologist status or eligible for in-training status with (AIT) from the Alberta Institute of Agrologists (AIA)
• A valid Class 5 Driver’s License (or equivalent) with a clean driving record.
• Standard First Aid and Basic CPR
   

Assets include: 

• Experience with range and riparian management and health assessments.
• Experience with plant identification, plant community classification, soil classification.
• Experience working with applicable regulatory legislation: Public Lands Act, WAERNAHRA (Wilderness Areas, Ecological Reserves, Natural Areas and Heritage Rangelands Act, ), and applicable regulations, Forest Reserves Act, Water Act, Forest and Prairie Protection Act, Parks Act, etc.
• Skills in mediation, negotiation, and conflict resolution to effectively manage the interests of a wide variety of disposition holders, stakeholders, and the public.
• Experience using ArcGIS or other GIS mapping software.
• Computer literacy in a Windows platform including Microsoft programs and departmental computer programs such as GLIMPS
  
   

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

Hours of Work: 36.25 hours of work per week, Monday to Friday. There are 2 temporary positions available, one in Red Deer and one in Rocky Mountain House.
 

This position requires extensive fieldwork, operating off highway and ATV vehicles, driving on gravel roads (and highways), and working alone around livestock in remote areas where wildlife may be present.  
 

 Candidates with lower qualifications are encouraged to apply as they may be also considered as an underfill in a lower classification.
 

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses will be the candidate's responsibility. 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
• 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