Environmental Specialist

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

We encourage Aboriginal persons to self-identify as preference may be given to this Employment Equity Group. An Aboriginal person is a North American Indian or a member of a First Nation, Métis or Inuit. North American Indians or members of a First Nation include treaty, status or registered Indians, as well as non-status and non-registered Indians. Please note that you will be required to complete an Affirmation of Aboriginal Affiliation Form.

The National Energy Board (NEB) is an independent federal regulator of several parts of Canada’s energy industry. It regulates pipelines, energy development and trade in the public interest with safety as its primary concern. The Minister of Natural Resources is responsible for this organization. The NEB was established by Parliament to regulate, among other things, the construction, operation and abandonment of pipelines that cross provincial or international borders, international power lines and designated interprovincial power lines, imports of natural gas and exports of crude oil, natural gas liquids, natural gas, refined petroleum products, and electricity, and oil and gas exploration and production activities in certain areas. The NEB is also charged with providing timely, accurate and objective information and advice on energy matters. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta with regional offices in Montréal, Vancouver and Yellowknife, the NEB has approximately 500 employees and annual budget of over $70 million.

The NEB is recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers in a national competition to determine which employers lead their industries in offering exceptional workplaces for their employees.

Duties

Reporting to a Director in the Energy Adjudication Business Unit, the environmental specialist provides professional advice to staff, senior management and regulatory decision makers on environmental matters related to the energy industry. The environmental specialist reviews proposed energy industry exploration, development, production, transportation and abandonment projects submitted under both the National Energy Board Act, the Oil and Gas Operations Act and the Canada Oil and Gas Operations Act and assesses the effects of those projects on the environment.

The incumbent will be responsible to assess applications, conduct environmental assessments to identify and mitigate environmental effects likely to arise from a proposed projects, prior to decisions being made. The incumbent will also be responsible for reviewing condition compliance filings. The incumbent is expected to review and analyse complex data and information related to oil and gas pipelines and facilities construction, production, operation, maintenance and abandonment; develop briefings, memos, and reports on environmental issues by reviewing all relevant evidence and information, doing research and analysis, identifying and presenting potential solutions to complex issues, and providing advice and recommendations. The incumbent will be providing technical advice to staff, senior management and regulatory decision makers on matters pertaining to environmental assessment. They will assist in the design and implementation of follow-up programs, consider the implications of the cumulative effects of the project upon the environment, and ensure that public notification and public participation are part of the assessment process. In performing the work, the incumbent will participate as part of a multi-disciplinary team, and may be required to fulfill the role of a coach or mentor for junior staff.

The Environmental Specialist may be required to undertake the role of Project Manager or Assistant Project Manager or Technical Coordinator for applications.

Intent of the process

A pool of candidates may be created. Qualified candidates may be used to staff other similar positions at an equivalent or lower level on a term, indeterminate or acting basis. Appointment of qualified candidates will be based on the assessment results of the essential or essential and asset qualifications and with regard to breadth and depth of experience.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

Education

University graduation with specialization in an environment related field (including but not limited to biological sciences, agricultural science, environmental science, physical science, geography, rural/urban/ regional planning).

Degree equivalency

Experience:

E1 Significant and recent experience related to environmental matters in the energy sector and in leading environmental assessments of complex development projects and/or energy facilities or activities.
E2 Significant experience coaching and mentoring staff on environmental matters.
E3 Significant experience in presenting technical analysis and advice orally and through written reports to support decision making.
E4 Experience in liaising with the public, industry and/or government with regards to development projects and/or energy facilities or activities.

Notes:
Significant means several years of substantively more progressive and complex responsibilities.
Recent is defined as within the last ten years.

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

Various language requirements
Official Language Proficiency: Various - English Essential or Bilingual Imperative (CBC/CBC)

The current vacancy is for a Bilingual Imperative (CBC/CBC) position however this process may be used to staff other Environmental Specialist positions in the organization. The language requirements for these positions will depend upon the Business Unit and duties required.

Information on language requirements

Organization-wide and Business Competencies:

OC1 Leadership & Teamwork: Proficiency Level: Guide
• Facilitates solutions, empowers, encourages and enables others to act.
• Improves individual and organizational performance by setting clear objectives, coaching others and providing effective feedback.
• Develops and maintains respectful, cooperative and results oriented working relationships.

OC2 Accountability and Results Orientation: Proficiency Level: Guide
• Clearly articulates objectives, accountabilities and expectations.
• Accepts responsibility and accountability for quality results.
• Clearly defines, analyzes and solves problems, resolves issues and gets results that effectively support decision making.
• Reaches informed, practical decisions that achieve the NEB vision and goals and desired business results.

OC3 Oral Communication: Proficiency Level: Apply/Guide
• Communicates clearly, concisely, and effectively verbally.
• Interprets complex technical information and optimizes communication to achieve desired results.

OC4 Written Communication: Proficiency Level: Apply/Guide
• Communicates clearly, concisely, and effectively in writing.
• Interprets complex technical information and optimizes communication to achieve desired results.

Technical Competencies:

TC1 Application Assessment Principles and Techniques: Proficiency level: Guide
• Demonstrate professional judgment and knowledge on a range of environmental issues
• Uses appropriate technical and regulatory principles, standards, and methods to assess projects in a manner consistent with the NEB’s regulatory framework.

TC2 Compliance Principles and Techniques: Proficiency Level: Guide
• Demonstrate professional judgment and knowledge of issues related to environmental regulatory compliance.
• Provide clear analysis and rationale for findings and decisions and understands their impact.


Competency Level Definitions

Apply is defined as demonstrating sound understanding of the competency and ability to apply and contribute.
Guide is defined as thorough knowledge and capability of the competency. Able to influence and guide others in its application.

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

Assets:

AQ1 Specialized expertise in one of the following areas: soil, water quality, air quality, freshwater habitat, marine habitat, wildlife, hydrogeology, remediation and reclamation.
AQ2 Significant and recent experience conducting environmental assessments of complex development projects and/or energy facilities or activities designated under Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012, and/or under a provincial/territorial environmental assessment related legislation.
AQ 3 Experience in environmental compliance matters.

Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal persons, visible minorities

Information on employment equity

Conditions of employment

1) Willingness to undergo, successfully pass and maintain a reliability status security clearance (Some positions may require a secret security clearance, which future incumbents will be required to undergo, successfully pass and maintain).
2) Compliance with the National Energy Board’s Code of Conduct is required.
Note: It is strongly recommended that potential applicants read and consider the NEB’s Code of Conduct prior to applying. This document is available on the NEB Website http://www.neb-one.gc.ca/code-of-conduct
3) Must be willing and able to travel and to work overtime when required.
4) Must be willing to move within and between business units and teams, based on operational requirements and/or as individual development needs are identified.

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

1. The National Energy Board has a classification system that differs from the greater public service. The NEB-10 position is similar to a PC-04 in terms of salary range only. This position is subject to NEB’s Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada Collective Agreement.

2. Application Requirements: Applicants must submit, by the closing date, a resume clearly demonstrating how they meet the essential qualifications of education and experience. Applicants are strongly encouraged to demonstrate how they also meet the asset qualifications. Failure to clearly demonstrate in the screening questions how you meet the screening criteria (Education and Experience) will result in the rejection of your application. Resumes will be used as a secondary source to validate the education and/or experience described in the screening questions.

PLEASE NOTE: Applicants who apply to this selection process must include in their application a valid e-mail address and make sure this address is functional at all times and accepts messages from unknown users. Our intention is to communicate with applicants by e mail for assessment purposes including sending invitations for written tests, interviews and issuing selection process results.

3. Assessment: You may be assessed using one or more of the following tools: written examination, oral presentation, interview(s), performance appraisals, reference checks and interactions with internal staff during the process and personal knowledge. Top down selection may be used during any stage of the selection process.

4. Appointment Requirements: Candidates must meet each essential qualification and the conditions of employment to be appointed to the position. A person may be appointed to the position even though he/she does not meet any or all of the asset qualifications, organizational needs or operational requirements; however, meeting these criteria is desirable and may be a deciding factor in choosing right fit for appointment.

5. Salary: Effective 1 November 2017 NEB-10, $92,543 to $112, 584 (under review)
The National Energy Board has the following forms of additional compensation that are separate from base salary; these are paid, as may apply, in accordance with the provisions in the collective agreement or terms and conditions of employment for the duration period specified:
• a Calgary Allowance in the amount of 4.95% of base salary, paid on a bi-weekly payroll basis
• annual performance pay which includes elements of individual performance (60% of payout) and corporate performance (40% of payout)
• annual market allowance which applies only to specified operational positions applies to this position; the allowance is paid in two semi-annualized payments.
• The Collective Agreement between the NEB and PIPSC expired on 31 October 2018. Please note that all provisions – including the allowances remain in place until a new agreement has been signed and implemented.

6. Terms of Employment: This position has been allocated and apply to the bargaining unit represented by the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada.

7. Proof of Education: Proof of education is required prior to appointment. If you were educated outside of Canada, you must have your certificates and/or diplomas assessed against Canadian education standards. Please contact the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) for more information www.cicic.ca.
Equivalencies granted by the Canadian provincial authorities with respect to Applied (Bachelor's) Degrees by colleges and technical institutes (i.e. in Ontario, British-Columbia, Alberta & Manitoba) must always be accepted as equivalent to Bachelor Degrees granted by universities in the provinces concerned.

8. Organization Future Needs: The National Energy Board is committed to having a skilled and diversified workforce representative of the population we serve. In support of our strategy to achieve our employment equity goals, selection may be limited to candidates self-identifying as belonging to the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal Persons, Visible Minorities.

We encourage Aboriginal persons to self-identify as preference may be given to this Employment Equity Group.

*An Aboriginal person is a North American Indian or a member of a First Nation, Métis or Inuit. North American Indians or members of a First Nation include treaty, status or registered Indians, as well as non-status and non-registered Indians. Please note that you will be required to complete an Affirmation of Aboriginal Affiliation Form.

9. Head Office Location – Calgary, AB: 517, 10th Avenue SW

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.