Lands Officer

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Lands Team Lead, this position is responsible for the regulatory review, issuance and lifecycle management of industrial, commercial, recreation, and bed and shore activities on crown lands (i.e., public and park lands).  Employing principles of Integrated Resource Management, execution of policy, legislation, and department directives, the position ensures overall sustainability of public lands and protection of park lands by assessing if activities are eligible, and if so, balance their development, use and footprint on those lands with respect to other ecosystem, environmental and social values.  The position is key in providing advice and guidance of regulatory process to a wide range of stakeholders including, but not limited to; municipal, tourism, recreation, sand and gravel, residential, general public and some energy activities (oil and gas), while ensuring crown land uses are sustained by multiple users for the long-term benefit of all Albertans.  The result is a balanced and managed landscape ensuring crown land and resources, are available for long term sustainable use for agriculture, forestry, industrial, commercial, recreation, the public, indigenous peoples and fisheries and wildlife.

The position is required to assess multiple application inputs complying with established regulatory procedures, while considering numerous policy direction and other agency, stakeholder and Indigenous consultation inputs in parallel with multiple regulatory bodies working on the same landscape to determine the use of crown lands for industrial, commercial, recreational and other related activities.  The position, in the management of crown land, ensures consistency of operational application of statutes for industries operating on public lands, and ensures that compliance monitoring on disposition approvals is completed in a timely manner.  This will include compliance audits, enforcement, and reclamation. This position conducts inspections to verify compliance and incidents of non-compliance are resolved through an abatement approach and/or refers incidents of non-compliance to the Compliance Program using the Integrated Compliance Process.

Professional expertise and advice is provided to applicants, clients, other professionals, other regulatory bodies and local and provincial government officials on issues ranging from; regulatory review and issuance, jurisdiction, inspection, compliance, indigenous consultation, reclamation, residential and commercial subdivision planning, waterbody and riparian health and input into operational and overarching policy direction to achieve balanced crown land stewardship and sustainability.  This is a complex position that requires educated professional skills and knowledge in a number of regulatory and environmental disciplines as well as an in-depth awareness of all activities that occur on crown land and associated jurisdictions in order to assess and analyze impacts to crown land and make integrated land use decisions.  This position works in a highly independent manner without ready access to supervision, and works directly with other Divisions, Branches and Ministries to inform regulatory decisions and processes.

Role Responsibilities - page 2

About Your Work Environment

You will be working within the Bighorn-Edmonton District of the South Region, primarily out of an Alberta Forestry and Parks office located in the preferred candidate’s choice of Rocky Mountain House or Sundre. Travel and field work throughout the region is required to perform routine field inspections and audits via truck (4x4), OHV, and snowmobile. You will have frequent contact with the general public relating to the issuance of authorizations, education of public land processes and legislation, or to address concerns and/or complaints. This position is employed in the operational field delivery of the Lands program, and supports other GoA Ministries and agencies in emergency situations (when required). 

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.
 

Build Collaborative Environments: Lead and contribute to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively as well as productively.
 

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

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

Develop Networks: Build networks and trusting relationships with stakeholders.
 

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

Qualifications

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: Related 2-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 14 months full-time temporary position located in Sundre Ranger Station (preferred). Rocky Mountain House or Red Deer may be options dependent upon office availability.

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

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 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. 

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/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.