Senior Water Quality Specialist - Hybrid

Alberta Energy Regulator; Drayton Valley; Hybrid; CAD 116,000 - 147,000; Full time

Job summary

A provincial regulatory body is seeking a Senior Water Quality Specialist to assess project applications and provide recommendations to protect aquatic ecosystems. The role requires extensive experience in aquatic ecology and water management. Candidates should hold a Bachelor of Science in a relevant field and have over 10 years of industry experience. The position offers a hybrid work model with opportunities for fieldwork, emphasizing collaboration with stakeholders in Alberta's resource management sector.

Benefits

Flexible Work Program

Generous vacation entitlement

Comprehensive benefits package

Qualifications

• 10+ years of regulatory/industry experience in limnology, water quality, and aquatic ecology.
• Registered as a Professional Biologist or equivalent.
• Strong expertise in aquatic ecology and water management.

Responsibilities

• Review applications and Environmental Impact Assessments for resource development.
• Provide technical guidance and prepare recommendations.
• Collaborate with experts to address emerging issues and policy gaps.

Skills

Aquatic ecology

Water quality

Communication skills

Regulatory knowledge

Technical guidance

Education

Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences

Master of Science

Job description

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 the field this position may involve work on or around water bodies and flowing water.

Additional Information:

• All applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada at the time of application.
• 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 [e-mail]. 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
• Flexible Work Program - hybrid work and flexible hours
• 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
• 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.

Our Commitment to Diversity:

At the AER, our values of Accountability, Collaboration, Transparency, and Trust & Respect are foundational to our culture – a culture where every individual, regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected factors, thrives and contributes their unique perspectives.

Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion fuels innovation, creating a brighter, more sustainable Alberta for all. Join us in shaping this dynamic future.

Application closing date: January 5, 2026 at midnight.

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