Local recruitment: Water Monitoring Tech

Posting Date: May 11, 2023

Location: Grande Prairie, AB

Company: Government of Alberta

Job Information

Job Title: Water Monitoring Tech 

Job Requisition ID: 42005

Ministry: Environment and Protected Areas

Location: Grande Prairie

Full or Part-Time: Full Time

Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Scope: Open Competition

Closing Date: May 28, 2023

Classification: Technologies 5

About Us

The Government of Alberta (GoA) 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: https://www.alberta.ca/diversity-inclusion-policy.aspx

For more information about the Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas, please visit our website at: http://www.alberta.ca/environment-and-parks.aspx

Role

Do you have a genuine interest in keeping land and water resources safe and sustainable in our province, as well as the skills and drive to complete water monitoring activities in outdoor and field-oriented work environments in all types of weather conditions?  

As a Water Monitoring Technologist, you will work as part of a team to assist with all areas of ambient environmental data collection activities that may be required in Hydrometric, Meteorological, Groundwater and Surface Water Quality disciplines. The incumbent will be responsible for completing a designated volume of work while adhering to set deadlines. An ability to effectively manage workload by prioritizing tasks will be critical in ensuring timely completion of tasks and achieving desired outcomes. 

Responsibilities:

• Measure and collect water quantity data according to Standard Operating Procedures to inform hydrological, meteorological and groundwater science using instrumentation such as price meters, Acoustic Doppler instruments, rod and level survey instruments and data loggers for gathering both real time and remote data, snow survey equipment, meteorological and groundwater sensors.
• Install, maintain and calibrate instruments and equipment as needed.
• Proficiency with instrumentation and specialized software applications in the Hydrometric, Meteorological and Groundwater disciplines.
• Ability to respond to environmental emergencies including high water and flooding situations in a timely manner.  Weekend standby (rotational basis with other staff) may be required during open water season.
• Offer expertise in resolving data collection and field equipment issues as well as recommend solutions.
• Ability to complete activities independently and as part of a team which may also involve mentoring junior staff and overseeing temporary staff.
• Build and maintain relationships with various Government of Alberta departments, academic institutions, non-government organizations (NGOs), contractors and community stakeholders.
• Ability to troubleshoot on the spot and implement Standard Operating Procedures as well as show innovation or problem solving skills while in the field.

Qualifications

Requirements: 

• Minimum 2-year technical diploma in a water related field 
• Four (4) years related field and office experience undertaking all aspects of water monitoring
• Certification in the following Safety areas is an asset, or will be required to be completed within the first 2 years of employment: Standard First Aid, Defensive Driver, Collision Avoidance, Trailering, WHMIS, TDG, Marine Emergency Duty / Small Vessel Operator Proficiency training and Cold Water Survival, Wildlife Awareness, Swift Water Rescue and Ice Safety Technician
• Proficiency and experience with Microsoft Office applications including technical software applications is required, (e.g., various multiprobe calibration/programming software).
• Ability to work in remote areas in all weather conditions as well as be away from home area for extended periods of time (up to 4 nights per week)
• Valid Class 5 Operators’ License (or equivalent) 
• Must have the ability to swim

Equivalency: Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of: 

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or 
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

 
Assets:

• Current designation or eligibility for professional or technical association membership or designation is preferred (e.g. CET, or P. Biol.).
• Ability to operate specialized vehicles such a 4×4 trucks and pulling trailers as well as ability to operate boats, snow machines and ATVs is an asset. Familiarity working around helicopters is beneficial.
• Excellent organizational and time management/prioritization skills.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).

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/assets/documents/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf

Essential Competencies:
 

Creative Problem Solving – focus on ways to improve results and activities by exploring, researching and gathering information on different work methods to reduce gaps related to achieving outcomes. 

Agility –  anticipate, assess and readily adapt to changing priorities while being resilient. Work effectively in changing environments and be flexible in emergency situations. 

Drive for Results – work independently or with others to plan and execute field trips. Understand considerations for seasonal weather conditions and community impact. Be timely in responding to situations.

Build Collaborative Environments – facilitate open communication and learn to leverage the skills, opinions and knowledge of others to enhance knowledge. Show respect and appreciation for others.  Have the ability to effectively minimize crisis and resolve conflict. 

Salary

$2,476.19 to $3,261.33 bi-weekly ($64,628 – $85,120/year).

Notes

Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Please Note: This a full-time permanent position located in Grande Prairie. A valid Class 5 driver’s license is required to operate vehicles as well as certification for boat, snow machine and ATV operation. Our Water Monitoring teams travel in helicopters and as such, the incumbent must be comfortable with flying and heights. This position will require the incumbent to work outside in adverse weather and road conditions as well as be exposed to various domestic animals and wildlife. Ability to swim is fundamentally important. Long hours and/or weekend work may become necessary in the field at any time and therefore flexibility is essential.  Frequent overnight travel is required year round.

Safety Certifications required are to be completed before performing work that requires them, ideally within the first 2 years of employment: Standard First Aid, Collision Avoidance, Trail towing, WHMIS, TDG, Marine Emergency Duty / Small Vessel Operator Proficiency training and Cold-Water Survival, Wildlife Awareness, Swift Water Rescue and Ice Safety Technician.

About Your Work Environment:
In this role, the incumbent will be working in an office/lab/warehouse setting located in Grande Prairie. However, approximately 50% of the time will be spent working in the field and require travel to remote areas under a wide range of weather and road conditions using 4X4 trucks, helicopters, boats, snowmobiles and ATVs as well as tow trailers.

Applicants are required to provide a cover letter with clear and concise specific examples that demonstrate how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements and competencies. In your resume include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Please also indicate if your work was full-time, part-time or contract. 

What the GoA has to offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service – https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) – https://www.pspp.ca
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) – https://www.mepp.ca
• Leadership and mentorship programs
• Professional learning and development
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreements
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca

How To Apply

Click on the “Apply” button.

Candidates are required to apply for a job online. Please visit https://www.alberta.ca/navigating-online-jobs-application.aspx to learn more about creating a candidate profile and other tips for the Government of Alberta’s online application system.

If you are not currently an employee with the Government of Alberta, the first step in applying for a job is creating your candidate profile within our online application system, click here to access the main log in page where you are able to ‘Create an account’, reset your password (‘Forgot your password’) or ‘Sign In’ should you already have an account.

Existing employees should access the Career tile in 1GX to submit their application in order to be recognized as an internal applicant.

Once you have created your candidate profile, visit the Alberta Public Service job site to apply for jobs at https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-jobs.aspx

Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience and relevant examples of required competencies.

Resources for Applicants:

• https://www.alberta.ca/apply-for-jobs-with-the-alberta-public-service.aspx
• https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-hiring-process.aspx
• https://alis.alberta.ca/look-for-work/

It is recommended applicants who have completed post-secondary studies from outside of Canada obtain an evaluation of their credentials from the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) or from recognized Canadian Credential Evaluator; please visit the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada for more information.   

Closing Statement

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies across the Government of Alberta at the same or lower classification level.

We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates’ qualifications most closely match the advertised requirements. Only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.

If you require any further information on this job posting or a copy of the job description, and/or require a disability related accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Michele Murphy at Michele.Murphy@gov.ab.ca.

If this competition is closed as per the closing date noted above, please continue to check http://www.jobs.alberta.ca for a listing of current career opportunities with the Government of Alberta.