Senior Water Quality Specialist - Hybrid

Location: Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer Field, AB. Any AER office may be considered.

Employment Type: Limited Term – Anticipated duration 12 Months

Salary Range: SP4, Level 6, $116,960- $146,200 per year. The final compensation for this position will be determined based on individual factors, including education, qualifications, experience, and internal equity.

Senior Water Quality Specialist - Hybrid

The Opportunity­­

The Regulatory Applications Branch is currently recruiting a Senior Water Quality Specialist to join its talented team of professionals responsible for assessing and making recommendations on project applications and representing the discipline on a variety of multi-stakeholder groups and projects. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to apply their expertise across the full lifecycle of development, from the initiation stage at the time of application extending into end of life through remediation and reclamation.

The Senior Water Quality Specialist will be relied upon as an expert in the area of aquatic ecology and surface water quality to protect aquatic ecosystems in alignment with regulatory requirements and to provide risk-informed and science-based recommendations to the decision maker. The role requires interacting with a large suite of technical and regulatory professionals, clearly articulating risks associated with each application, communicating with internal and external stakeholders, primarily applicants, industry and government partners, and drafting proposals and recommendations for the leadership team to consider.

What your day-to-day will look like:

• Review applications and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for oil, gas, coal, and mineral resource development affecting surface water in the province.

• Provide technical guidance, set research and monitoring requirements, prepare technical recommendations and approval conditions, and discuss findings with the applications team and decision maker.

• Collaborate with experts from industry, academia, and government to stay informed on emerging issues, identify policy gaps, and support practical policy initiatives for the energy sector and AER processes. Support implementation of new government policy, regulatory frameworks, and directives in relation to surface water.

• Advise inspectors, approval coordinators, and consultants on mitigation, monitoring, and remedial actions for unplanned releases, incidents, non-compliance, or investigations.

• Perform desktop surveillance activities, review report and annual submissions and conduct site visits as required to assess and make recommendations on industry performance and compliance related to regulations and approval conditions.

• Support enterprise projects by providing scientific guidance and input, assisting with the implementation into core business functions and collaborating with stakeholders (internal and external) as necessary.

What we’re looking for in you:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences, Aquatic Ecosystem Ecology or Environmental Biology with a focus on freshwater aquatic management. A Master of Science degree would be considered an asset.

• 10+ years of regulatory/industry experience in areas of limnology, water quality and aquatic ecology.

• Registered as a Professional Biologist with Alberta Society of Professional Biologists or equivalency from another province.

• Possesses strong expertise in aquatic ecology and water management, with comprehensive knowledge of relevant legislative frameworks including the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, Water Act, Public Lands Act, and Oil Sands Conservation Act.

• Strong technical knowledge of industrial processes related to mining (coal and oil sands), conventional oil & gas, in situ, and pipelines.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate highly technical concepts to various stakeholders.

• Pre-placement Medical required.

• Possess a fully valid class 5 driver’s license along with a positive driving record.

• This role may require travel to the field to attend site visits and assist with inspections. Applicants should expect up to 15% of their time to be in field.

• While in…