Technical Specialist Environment (Anticipatory) / Technical Leader Environment

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

The Canada Energy Regulator works to keep energy moving safely across the country. We review energy development projects and share energy information, all while enforcing some of the strictest safety and environmental standards in the world. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta with regional offices in Montréal, Vancouver and Yellowknife, the CER has approximately 500 employees.

The CER 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.

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.

Duties

In the Energy Adjudication Business Unit (EABU) of the Canada Energy Regulator (CER), the Technical Specialist and Leader, Environment reports to a Team Director. Much of the Technical Specialist’s and Leader’s work will relate to complex environmental assessment processes. However, the Technical Specialist and Leader will also be required to support or lead initiatives related to regulatory change, offsetting environmental impact, or monitoring and verifying compliance based on organizational need.

As an experienced professional on a multi-disciplinary team in the EABU, the Technical Specialist and Leader, Environment applies expert knowledge in providing advice to Commission Members and CER staff with respect to environmental matters related to the energy exploration, production, or transportation industry. The Technical Specialist and Leader reviews proposed energy industry exploration, development, production, transportation, and abandonment projects submitted under the Canada Energy Regulator Act (CERA), the Canada Oil and Gas Operations Act (COGOA) and the Onshore Pipeline Regulations (OPR) and assesses the effects of those projects upon the environment. The Technical Specialist and Leader, Environment also builds and maintains relationships with other government departments, oversees the overall environmental program within EABU and is responsible for the professional development of staff. The Technical Specialist and Leader would also be expected to interact with industry and the public on issues related to the energy industry.

The Technical Specialist and Leader would provide advice and support in the development and execution of environmental compliance activities including condition compliance and compliance meetings. The Technical Specialist and Leader, Environment confirms compliance with regulatory requirements for approved energy industry exploration, development, production, transportation and abandonment projects submitted under both the CERA and the COGOA and assesses the potential impacts on the environment resulting from non-compliances. The Technical Specialist and Leader may inform and shape internal policy development, internal training programs and process and procedures.

Technical Specialists and Leaders in the Energy Adjudication Business Unit provides technical leadership to other staff regarding technical issues facing the CER, through:

• identifying potential issues or challenges;
• working collaboratively with CER’s regulatory partners, providing options and recommendations for consideration by the CER; and
• active sharing of expert knowledge within and between Teams and Business Units, including coaching, mentoring, and network activities.

Technical Specialists and Leaders are required to work on several concurrent, complex projects at any given time, and to regularly present findings to Commissioners, Senior Management, and CER staff. The Technical Specialist and Leader will be expected to guide multi-disciplinary teams for the analysis of applications or to undertake the role of project manager for major public hearings or corporate projects.

Intent of the process

A list of qualified 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 degree with a specialization in a related field (e.g. biological sciences, agricultural science, environmental science, physical science, economics, geography, rural/urban/regional planning).

Degree equivalency

Experience:

Technical Specialist Environment, NB-11

E1 Significant and recent experience leading complex environmental impact assessments for major natural resource or energy sector projects.

E2 Significant experience in presenting analysis and advice to senior or executive level management.

E3 Significant and recent experience in leading major or complex initiatives involving multiple players or elements within an organization.

Technical Leader Environment, NB-12

E1 Significant and recent experience leading complex environmental impact assessments for major natural resource or energy sector projects.

E2 Significant experience in presenting analysis and advice to senior or executive level management.

E3 Significant and recent experience in leading major or complex initiatives involving multiple players or elements within an organization.

E4 Significant experience in liaising with the public, Indigenous groups, industry and/or government with regard to complex of high-profile environmental aspects of energy projects.

Significant experience is defined as approximately 5 years.
Recent experience is defined as within approximately the last 5 years.

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

Various language requirements
Bilingual Imperative (BBB/BBB)
English Essential

The current Technical Leader Environment NEB-12 vacancy has a (BBB/BBB) language profile however, this process may be used to staff other positions in the organization. The language requirements for these positions will depend upon the Business Unit and duties required.

Information on language requirements

Second Language Writing Skills Self-Assessment
In order to help you decide if you should apply to a bilingual position, an optional self-assessment of your writing skills in your second official language is available for you to take before completing your application.

For more information, please consult:
Unsupervised Internet Test of Second Language Writing Skills

Organization-wide and Business Competencies OR Leadership Competencies:

OC1 Leadership & Teamwork
NB-11 Proficiency Level: Guide
• Coaches others to make timely and effective decisions and removes barriers that impede improvement.
• Identifies opportunities and initiates actions to create useful partnerships.
• Visibly supports a learning environment through actions and results.

OC1 Leadership & Teamwork
NB-12 Proficiency Level: Shape
• Coaches teams and team leaders on methods of collaborating, conflict resolution and aligning activities with organizational results.
• Identifies and leads strategic partnerships between the CER and other agencies.
• Identifies and leads strategic networking initiatives.

OC2 Accountability and Results Orientation
NB-11 and NB-12 Proficiency Level: Shape
• Removes barriers that impede progress.
• Resolves issues beyond one’s own scope of work.
• Makes business and policy decisions.

OC3 Process & Project Management
NEB-11 and NEB-12 Proficiency Level: Guide
• Determines project accountabilities, process priorities and resources allocations effectively.

OC4 Written Communication
NB-11 and NB-12 Proficiency Level: Guide
• Communicates clearly, concisely and effectively for target audiences.

OC 5 Oral Communication
NB-11 and NB-12 Proficiency Level: Guide
• Communicates clearly, concisely and effectively for targets audience

Technical Competencies:

TC1 Application Assessment Principles and Techniques
NB-11 Proficiency Level: Guide
• Teach, coach or provide expert advice on environmental assessment.
• Facilitate the incorporation of learnings into future assessments and develops practices to reflect learnings.
• Provide expert advice to senior leadership on matters related to environment related matters.

TC1 Application Assessment Principles and Techniques
NB-12 Proficiency Level: Shape
• Provide high level guidance to senior leadership on matters related to assessment strategy and systems.
• Provide directional guidance to senior leadership on related issues affecting the energy industry.
• Lead changes in internal and external procedures related to adjudication processes.

TC2 Compliance Principles and Techniques
NB-11 Proficiency Level: Guide
• Teach, coach and provides discipline-specific expert advice to support quality of CER compliance systems.
• Use knowledge and experience to coordinate the consideration of unique or sensitive issues on behalf of the CER and development of new methods as appropriate.

TC2 Compliance Principles and Techniques
NB-12 Proficiency Level: Shape
• Provide high level guidance to senior leadership on matters related to compliance strategy and systems.
• Provide directional guidance to senior leadership on related issues affecting the energy industry.

Competency Level Definitions :

Guide is defined as thorough knowledge and capability of the competency. Able to influence and guide others in its application.
Shape is defined as recognized as an expert. Shapes direction of the CER with regards to the competency.

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

Asset Qualifications :

AQ1 Specialized expertise in any of the following specialized areas: soils, water quality, remediation, aquatic habitat, marine mammals and wildlife.

AQ2 Significant experience engaging on environmental matters related to the energy exploration, production, or transportation industry with Indigenous peoples.

AQ3 Experience negotiating and developing inter-agency agreements or memorandums of understanding.

AQ4 Significant environmental experience related to oil or gas pipelines, exploration and production facilities or activities, or electrical transmission lines.

Operational Requirements:

Preference may be given to qualified candidates self-identifying as Aboriginal Persons and/or Visible Minorities and/or Persons with disability.

Conditions of employment

1) Willingness to undergo, successfully pass and maintain a reliability status security clearance.
2) Compliance with the CER’s Code of Conduct is required.
Note: It is strongly recommended that potential applicants read and consider the CER’s Code of Conduct prior to applying. This document is available on the CER Website http://www.cer-rec.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 CER has a classification system that differs from the greater public service. The NEB-11 position is similar to a PC-04 in terms of salary range only and the NEB-12 position is similar to a PC-05. The benefits offered, including relocation assistance, may be significantly different than those offered in the greater public service. This position is subject to CER’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. Asset qualification(s) may be used at any point in the selection process (screening and/or assessment). Failure to provide sufficient information will result in applicants being screened out.

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: your application, written examination, oral presentation, interview(s), role play scenarios, 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 2020: NEB-11, $108,071 - $131,485
NEB-12, $118,338 to $143,979

The CER has the following forms of additional compensation that are separate from base salary, the eligibility for which is determined, 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 may be 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

6. Terms of Employment: This position has been allocated and applies to the bargaining unit represented by the CER 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 CER 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 one of the following Employment Equity groups: *Aboriginal Persons, Visible Minorities.

9. Head Office Location – Calgary, AB: 210, 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.