Senior Land Management Specialist

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Manager of Land, Ecosystems and Conservation, the Senior Land Management Specialist provides strategic leadership and technical expertise in the management of Crown land in southern Alberta. This senior role addresses some of Alberta's most complex land management and conservation challenges, influencing decisions related to recreation, biodiversity, conservation, industrial development, protected areas and landscape-scale planning.

The position leads and mentors a multidisciplinary team of land management specialists, planners and ecologists. Together, the team advances responsible Crown land management, protected area stewardship, recreation initiatives, conservation of biodiversity, and integrated land-use planning. The position works across government and with Indigenous communities and organizations, stakeholders and the public to ensure decisions align with applicable legislation, regulations, plans and policies.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Delivery of local and regional programs and projects that support responsible Crown land management addressing complex pressures and issues often requiring trade-off decision-making.
• Provide leadership and oversight to resource management planning including coordinating trail management plans, delivering on stewardship of Alberta’s protected area network, and supporting regional and sub-regional planning initiatives.
• Lead engagement with Indigenous communities and organizations, stakeholders and the public, using facilitation, negotiation, and mediation to seek solutions on contentious and sometimes divisive land management issues.
• Provide direct supervision, mentorship and performance management to a team of professional staff.
• Support the implementation of Alberta’s Crown Land Vision and the Crown Land Recreation and Conservation Strategy by advancing responsible Crown land management and achieving recreation, conservation, and biodiversity outcomes.
• Resolve complex issues requiring trade-off decision-making associated with management and use of Crown land. This can include representing the department in strategic discussions and multi-stakeholder forums, and supporting ministerial and executive briefings.

This is an opportunity to shape the management of Alberta’s Crown land while leading a high performing multidisciplinary team.

The Job Description is provided for further details on 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.

Builds Collaborative Environment: Engages diverse stakeholders and fosters collaboration through shared resources and inclusive dialogue. Resolves conflict through facilitation and coaching while valuing different perspectives to achieve outcomes.

Creative Problem Solving: Uses diverse approaches to analyze problems and generate solutions. Encourages collaboration and brings the right people together to resolve issues.

Agility: Adapts quickly to changing priorities and incorporates improvements into work. Stays composed under pressure and helps others adjust to change.

Develop Self and Others: Builds individual and team capability through learning and development. Promotes shared learning and supports personal development planning.""

Systems Thinking: Considers broader trends, risks, and context when making decisions. Aligns actions with organizational goals and addresses barriers to progress.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

A completed four (4) year university degree in natural sciences or related field such as environmental science, natural resource management, ecology, recreation, forestry, fish and wildlife, species at risk, biodiversity, natural resource planning.  A minimum of 6 years directly related experience.

Equivalencies will be considered as follows: 

• A related two-year diploma plus 8 years related experience.
• Additional related education considered in lieu of experience on a one-for-one basis. 

Additional Requirements:

• Demonstrated leadership experience, including mentoring staff and fostering a positive work environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, time-management, and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement, facilitation, negotiation, consensus building, and conflict resolution.
• Proven ability to build collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders and partners.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Teams, SharePoint, and ArcGIS.

Assets:

• Crown land and natural resource management, land-use planning, and recreation management.
• Knowledge of legislation, policies, and guidelines related to ecosystem, land, and resource management, including Public Lands Act; Wilderness Areas, Ecological Reserves, Natural Areas, and Heritage Rangelands Act; Forests Act; Alberta Land Stewardship Act; Wildlife Act; Fisheries (Alberta) Act; Water Act; Provincial Parks Act.
• Experience working on balancing biodiversity and ecosystem conservation with industrial, recreational, and other land uses.
• Experience in land use planning and the management of recreational trail networks and protected areas.
• Operating off-highway vehicles, snowmobiles, and four-wheel-drive vehicles in remote environments.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.

Notes

The position is based in Edmonton or Calgary

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

Any costs associated with obtaining 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 have to offer to prospective employees:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP)  
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information
• Professional learning and development
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.