Senior Science Advisor - Water and Watershed Sciences

Job Information

Job Title : Senior Science Advisor - Water and Watershed Sciences

Job Requisition ID : 54254

Ministry : Environment and Protected Areas

Location : Edmonton or Calgary

Full or Part-Time : Full Time

Hours of Work : 36.25 hours per week

Permanent / Temporary : Temporary (18 months)

Scope : Open Competition

Closing Date : Reposted : Open until suitable candidate found

Classification : Scientific 4 (026SCA)

Salary : $3,604.17 to 4,784.18 bi-weekly ($94,068 $124,867 / year)

The Government of Alberta is committed to a diverse and inclusive public service that reflects the population we serve to best meet the needs of Albertans.

Consider joining a team where diversity, inclusion and innovation are valued and supported. For more information on diversity and inclusion, please visit : .

We support Albertans in being proud stewards of air, land, water, and biodiversity by leading the work required for the desired environmental outcomes and sustainable development of natural resources.

For more information about the Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas, please visit our website at : .

Role Responsibilities

Are you looking for a way to creatively use your scientific knowledge and experience to provide expert advice on program and project design related to water and watershed sciences?

The position is accountable to the Chief Scientist and reports to the Director of Science Advice, Reporting, and Partnerships in the Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS).

This unit is responsible for providing scientific expertise, leadership and coordination to support the legislated mandate of the OCS in developing and implementing an environmental science program to monitor, evaluate and report on the condition of the environment in Alberta.

The position requires expertise within a relevant subject matter area that has ideally led to broad recognition as an expert in water and watershed sciences.

The Senior Science Advisor works with Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (EPA) and external partners to ensure that the Government of Alberta has scientifically credible and relevant evidence-based information necessary to address complex environmental challenges and opportunities facing the province.

In this role, you will be expected to provide expert advice to EPA staff and leadership.

The Senior Science Advisor for water and watershed sciences is a recognized expert in their field of research and should be able to collaborate with peers in academia.

Supervision of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows via appointment as an Adjunct faculty member at one or more post-secondary institutions is an asset.

Key responsibilities for this role include the ability to :

• Support the Chief Scientist and / or Director on water and watershed sciences projects as required;
• Provide expert advice to EPA staff and leadership on research and monitoring design related to water and watershed sciences (with preferred emphasis on water quality);
• Lead and / or participate in collaborative writing of standard and non-standard reporting products communicating major observations and conclusions of long-term monitoring and focused research activities related to water and watershed sciences, including but not limited to peer-reviewed scientific papers, technical condition of the environment reports, major scientific synthesis reports, and plain-language summary documents;
• Provide technical review of applicable scientific content prepared by EPA for publication, meetings, workshops, conferences, web pages, and briefing packages;
• Convene or participate in existing senior Departmental or cross-ministry teams when water or watershed information or advice is required;
• Support EPA scientists in pursuing collaborative applied research projects with external research organizations (i.e., primarily postsecondary institutions) by promoting opportunities and developing partnerships between researchers;
• Work with EPA science staff to ensure innovative, scientifically credible research and monitoring protocols are in place and implemented.
• The Senior Science Advisor will support a culture of scientific excellence in research and monitoring;
• Support the establishment and uphold a process for Condition of Environment reporting to inform the Government of Alberta and Albertans on relevant water quality and quantity indicators; and
• Generate novel scientific ideas and approaches to address current water-related information priorities for EPA.

Role Responsibilities (cont'd)

To effectively complete the required responsibilities, you will need knowledge of the following areas :

• Current and emerging provincial and national water and watershed issues and opportunities;
• Water quality and quantity monitoring;
• Advanced statistical analyses of large water or watershed data sets, ideally including data from EPA monitoring and / or research programs or similar programs and studies performed by others in Alberta or elsewhere;
• Application of appropriate models or other means to predict local, regional and cumulative impacts on water quality and quantity;
• New and emerging methods related to the study of water quality and quantity and watershed conservation;
• Good understanding of provincial and federal water quality guidelines for the protection of aquatic life; and
• Applicable Alberta legislation, regulations, and policies (e.g., Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, Water Act, Alberta Land Stewardship Act, Alberta Fisheries Act, Public Lands Act, and Forest Act).

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.