Specialist, Environmental Risk Assessment - Hybrid

Location:

Edmonton Regional Office, Red Deer Field Centre, Slave Lake Field Centre are preferred, other locations in Alberta will be considered.

Full Time – Permanent

SP3, Level 5, $92,320 - $115,400 per year. The final compensation for this position will be determined based on individual factors, including education, qualifications, experience, and internal equity. This position may be eligible to receive a Northern Living allowance. Northern Living allowances are provided based on the location of the position and where an employee primarily works and resides.

The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) is currently recruiting for a Specialist, Environmental Risk Assessor to join the Regulatory Compliance branch. The Specialist, Environmental Risk Assessor interprets environmental chemical data and receptor characteristics to evaluate the risks associated with contamination issues and provides environmental risk issue analysis, guidance and advice to AER hydrogeologists, soil specialists, compliance staff and managers.

This role has a significant freshwater contaminant risk and spill support component, including after-hours emergency support. It reviews and provides specialized technical support into decisions on major applications, approvals, contaminated sites remediation and management plans; spill containment, remediation and monitoring plans; and emergency releases involving chemical discharges that pose a risk to safety or ecological health.

- Evaluate surface water, soil and groundwater contamination incidents and provide AER staff with scientific support to ensure that the environment and public are protected.

- Engage with limnologists, waste management specialists, soil, and groundwater specialists, to ensure that the appropriate expertise is brought to incident response.

- Provide expertise and technical advice on projects dealing with contaminated site characterization, damage mitigation, monitoring program design, spill recovery and clean up, site decommissioning and remediation, environmental risk assessment, and risk management for specified energy activities. Conduct site visits and engage with approval holders and other stakeholders as needed to support the above activities.

- Review tier 2 / site-specific risk assessment aspects of activities regulated under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA) for energy related industrial facilities.

- Provide risk-based receptor, chemical, and toxicological expert evaluation of applications, renewals, and amendments and proposed new technologies. Review risk management and monitoring program proposals for approved industrial facilities and provide input into proposal authorizations.

- Provide leadership with adequate environmental risk information and interpretation regarding specific sites so that appropriate decisions can be made. Participate in regulatory hearings on projects as required as a scientific subject matter expert.

- Promote and support a team-based, efficient approach to contaminant release management. Engage with approval holders and other stakeholders to support and promote the use of low-impact remediation and adaptive monitoring programs.

- Maintain ongoing relationships with government, industry, and the public. Engage with Government of Alberta scientific staff to ensure the consistent application of government policies, guidelines and directives into the regulation of upstream oil, gas, oilsands and coal energy sectors. Collaborate with provincial and federal government staff and provide input into government scientific guidelines and directives as needed.

What we’re looking for in you:

- Master’s degree in an environmental science.

- An accredited Professional Biologist (P. Biol) and a member in good standing with the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists are considered assets.

- Credentials for the Association of the Chemical Profession of Alberta (P.Chem), Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (P.Eng, P.Geo), are considered assets.

- Alberta Institute of Agrologists (PAg), and Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology (DIABT) are considered assets.

- 3-5 years of experience related to experience in chemical contamination, receptor characterization, environmental hazards, and risk assessment.

- Understanding of the larger goals within EPEA and related Acts, and the ability to make decisions on the balance of environmental harm of contaminant damage vs damage from physical remediation is preferred.

- Strong attention to detail, and ability to focus for tight deadlines.

- Ability to effectively collaborate with others on shared tasks and goals.

Additional Information:

- All applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada at the time of application.

- Pre-placement medical and a fully valid class 5 driver’s license along with a positive driving record is required.

- Required physical demands: Ability to walk on varying terrain at incident sites and in proximity to heavy equipment at an active work site and the ability to work outside in varying weather conditions.

- Travel of 1 to 2 nights per month is required.

- This position is a blend of 10% field work vs. 90% office work.

- Additional training is required and will be provided: e.g., First Aid, H2S Alive, Driver Training.

- Should an individual with the required qualifications not be available, applicants with closely related qualifications may be considered. As a result, the position may be redesigned and/or reclassified.

- If you need accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process, please email PeopleServices@aer.ca. Information relating to the need for accommodation and accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

What we offer you:

- Great benefits from your first day of work

- Edmonton: Hybrid work - employees located in Edmonton will work in office two days per week

- All other locations: Hybrid work - employees may work remotely up to five days per calendar month, with a limit of two remote days per week

- Defined benefit pension plan

- Flexible benefits program options, including Personal & Health spending account(s)

- Generous vacation entitlement and flex days

More information about working at the AER’s including our comprehensive Total Rewards package can be found in the careers section of our website.