Sustainable Agriculture Resource Specialist

Role Responsibilities

Are you driven to provide exceptional client service? Are you passionate about elevating Alberta’s agriculture industry? If so, this may be the opportunity for you. 

Reporting to the Supervisor within Natural Resource Analysis, the Sustainable Agriculture Resource Specialist supports Agriculture and Irrigation’s strategic business plan Outcome 2 Competitive Business Environment (e.g., priority area: streamline legislation, policies, and business processes to reduce regulatory) and Outcome 3 Assurance and Public Safety (priority area e.g., encourage sustainable practices to support competitiveness and economic development). 

Responsibilities:

Some of the responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Policy Development & Implementation:
  
  • Contribute to identifying and advancing agri-environmental initiatives that balance sustainability with reduce regulatory burden.
  • Support strategic planning and ongoing maintenance and implementation of regulatory frameworks (e.g., Agricultural Operation Practices Act (AOPA) and the Soil Conservation Act (SCA)) to address emerging industry needs.
• Technical & Analytical Support:
  • Provide science-based input, policy analysis, and recommendations to inform senior leadership and improve legislation, regulations, and associated programs.
  • Monitor and interpret provincial, national, and international trends to guide effective policy development.
  • Provide technical information and analysis for policies and programs, relating to nutrients, manure, livestock, crop, and soil management.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Communication:
  • Lead efforts to deliver clear, accessible information and tools to help stakeholders comply with regulations and meet environmental goals.
  • Maintain strong relationships and communication channels to ensure feedback and knowledge-sharing across the sector.
• Collaboration & Partnership Development:
  • Build and maintain partnerships across government departments and with external stakeholders to support integrated, sustainable agri-environmental programming.
  • Participate in intergovernmental working groups to align policy approaches and promote market access through harmonized standards.

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. 

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following competencies:

• Agility: Ability to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, manage resilience in times of uncertainty and effectively work in a changing environment.
• Build Collaborative Environments: Leads and contributes to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve outcomes.
• Develop Networks: Proactively building networks, connecting, and building trust in relationships with different stakeholders.
• Systems Thinking: The work done within the APS is part of a larger integrated and inter-related environment. It is important to know that work done in one part of the APS impacts a variety of other groups/projects inside and outside the APS. Systems thinking allows us to keep broader impacts and connections in mind.
• Creative Problem Solving: Ability to assess options and implications in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standard for Agrologist Level 2 classification: University graduation in Agriculture or a related degree, with appropriate specialization, plus three years related experience; or equivalent as described below. Eligible for membership with the AIA. 

Equivalency: Related Master’s degree considered in lieu of part of the three years of related experience on a one-for-one basis.

Job Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree with focus on Agriculture Science or equivalent with an appropriate specialization such as agronomy, livestock production, or soil management/science.
• Experience: 5–10 years in Alberta’s agricultural industry with strong understanding of production systems, environmental challenges, and mitigation strategies.
• Technical Expertise: In-depth knowledge of AOPA legislation, regulations, and administration by the Farmers’ Advocate Office and Natural Resources Conservation Board, plus working knowledge of related agri-environmental laws (e.g., Alberta Land Stewardship Act, Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, Water Act) and programs (e.g., Environmental Farm Plan).
• Policy and Government Insight: Familiarity with GoA policy development processes and inter-ministry coordination; awareness of evolving environmental and land use perspectives.
• Stakeholder Awareness: Strong understanding of agricultural stakeholder expectations, including producers, municipalities, industry groups, and the public.
• Skills: Demonstrated leadership, teamwork, project management, and high-level communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution abilities.
• Certifications: Valid Class 5 driver’s license and First Aid certification.
• Membership or eligible for membership with the Alberta Institute of Agrologists.

Assets:

• Professional designation (e.g., P.Ag., P.Eng.).
• Experience with interprovincial/agri-environmental working groups and collaborative initiatives.
• Knowledge of sustainable agriculture programs, market-based incentives, and Indigenous perspectives on land/resource use.
• Experience with computer statistical applications, database management, data analysis, report development, decision support system, and communication.

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

Division/ Branch: Primary Agriculture/ Natural Resource Management Branch - AGI. 

Please note that this position will be based at one of the locations listed above, to be determined later in the process based on the successful candidate’s preference.

Cover Letter: Please provide a cover letter outlining your suitability for this role.

A written assessment may be required as part of the interview process.

Final candidates may be required to undergo a security screening.

A valid Class 5 Driver’s License is required or this position along with Certification in First Aid.

All costs associated with the recruitment process including documentation fees and travel expenses are the candidate’s responsibility. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the documents requested above from the province they 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.
• Comprehensive benefits plan - myAPS Benefits plans.
• Pension plans: Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) – https://www.pspp.ca.
• 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.
• Professional learning and development.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.