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Agro-meteorological Tech - Lethbridge County

Government of Alberta

Lethbridge County, Alberta

Agro-meteorological Tech - Lethbridge County

Government of Alberta

Lethbridge County, Alberta
 
Salary: $2,513.34 to $3,310.25 bi-weekly ($65,347.00 - $86,067.00/year)
 

Job Information

Job Title: Agro-meteorological Technologist
Job Requisition ID: JR 72088
Ministry: Agriculture and Irrigation
Location: Lethbridge
Full or Part-Time: Full-Time
Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week
Permanent/Temporary: Permanent
Scope: Open Competition
Closing Date: July 25, 2025
Classification: 126TN Technologist 5
Salary: $2,513.34 to $3,310.25 bi-weekly ($65,347.00 - $86,067.00/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: https://www.alberta.ca/diversity-inclusion-policy.aspx.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation is responsible for the policies, legislation, regulations, programs, and services that enable Alberta’s agriculture and food sectors to flourish and contribute to Alberta’s economic recovery and growth. The ministry’s role is diverse, ranging from food safety and industry growth and diversification to increasing investment and supporting growth in rural Alberta. The ministry also supports foundational programs like irrigation and agricultural societies that help create strong rural communities and resilient agriculture sectors. For more information about the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, please visit our website at: https://www.alberta.ca/agriculture-and-irrigation.aspx.

This role will function within the Natural Resources Analysis Section and specifically the Agro-Meteorology Unit. The AgMet unit is responsible for maintaining a network of more than 195 climate monitoring stations in Alberta. As well as managing the data for more than 500 stations from multiple agencies across the province. Timely and accurate data reporting is critical for crop insurance, flood and weather forecasting, monitoring and reporting on severe weather conditions, evaluation of water supply outlook conditions, irrigation scheduling, research, and support to a diverse range of private and public needs. The meteorological data is used by government agencies, non-government organizations, and agri-business for major environmental and economic decision-making.

The position will be based out of Lethbridge, in the heart of Southern Alberta. A vibrant Agriculture region will rural and urban amenities for all ages.

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to a Senior Agro-meteorological Technologist, this position supports managing, maintaining, and installing drought and climate monitoring stations in Southern Alberta. This network provides data conforming to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC) standards.

Timely and accurate data reporting is critical for crop insurance, flood and weather forecasting, monitoring and reporting on severe weather conditions, evaluation of water supply outlook conditions, irrigation scheduling, research, and support to a diverse range of private and public needs. The meteorological data is used by government agencies, non-government organizations, and agri-business for major environmental and economic decision-making. Additionally, this data underpins Alberta Financial Services Corporation's (AFSC) moisture deficiency crop insurance programs.  All the data and many derivative products from Alberta’s meteorological networks can be found on the Alberta Climate Information service at www.weatherdata.ca.

If you love to be outdoors and boots to the ground, this role will keep you busy as you will be responsible to maintain approximately 35 weather stations to ensure production of a continuous meteorological data set that meets rigorous established standards.

Responsibilities of the role include:

  •  The operation, maintenance, and installation of the Ministry's real-time meteorological network, including coordination and autonomous completion of scheduled maintenance and response to emergency repairs.
  • Maintenance includes vegetation management at each site during the summer to ensure sensors operate as required and unimpeded by vegetation. 
  • Fabrication and installation of new stations, instrument maintenance and calibration, documentation and database maintenance.
  • Performing snow surveys to validate precipitation data as required.
  • Assisting with the procurement of materials and supplies from numerous vendors.
  • Provides an opportunity to participate in data sharing and continuous improvement of the overall system through:
    • Researching and sharing input to improve standards.
    • Providing timely quality-controlled data to stakeholders.
    • Maintaining a network of stakeholders to share technical information, advice, and data as required.
    • Supporting other groups within the Ministry and partners as necessary, such as with the Environment and Parks real-time meteorological network.


Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

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/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

About Your Competencies: 

  • Agility: Liaise with internal and external stakeholders, seeking support as required, and educating on climate information service in various areas within the province.
  • Build Collaborative Environments: Share learnings within the Ag-Met unit, identifying unique and challenging scenarios of the season to determine a series of solutions for future issues.
  • Systems Thinking: Precision of calibration affects the long-term use of climate data collected, considering options to solve anticipated issues and identify the unintended impact on other sensors.
  • Creative Problem Solving: Review reports, dissect issues into smaller parts, and call on colleagues to share perspectives and solutions, contribute ideas for improving processes and adapt the existing practice to identify new solutions. 
  • Drive for Results: Consider the implications of responsibility for maintaining stations, anticipating issues or complications and planning accordingly.

Qualifications

Two-year technical diploma in a related field (e.g. electronics, instrumentation, environmental monitoring) plus four years related experience; or equivalent as described below.

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.

Additional requirements include:

  • Knowledge of electronic principles and the ability to use multi-meters and other tools to troubleshoot and isolate problematic components of a meteorological station.
  • Knowledge and experience with Data Collection Platforms, telemetry, calibration and monitoring equipment. 
  • Experience with installation, maintenance and troubleshooting of environmental monitoring equipment.
  • Mechanics or construction experience to maintain and install stations and their components.
  • Experience with operation and maintenance of a wide range of equipment (such as lawnmowers, generators, trimmers, trailers, assorted tools and hand devices).
  • Computer skills for interfacing with station components (loggers, telemetry, instrumentation), maintaining and updating station meta data. Experience with standard Microsoft Office software is required.
  • A valid Class 5 Drivers’ Licence and clean drivers abstract.
  • Ability to work long hours from April to October and occasionally remain out of town for up to 4 nights.


The following certificates are required, training time will be provided:

  • Defensive Driving or Collision Avoidance.
  • Standard First Aid.
  • Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System.


Assets include:

  • Experience in environmental monitoring with an emphasis on Meteorology.
  • Experience with Campbell Scientific loggers (CR1000, CR1000x), cellular modem, Geonor weighing gauges, humidity and temperature sensors, R.M. Young and Met One wind sensors and SP-Lite radiation sensors.
  • Experience working outdoors in various environmental conditions.
  • Experience with navigation and global positioning systems.
  • Knowledge of Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and Regulations. 
  • Knowledge of Working Alone Legislation, Occupational Health and Safety Act. 
  • Pesticide Applicators License (minimum of Assistant level).


Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 
Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

Job Details:

  • Office located in Lethbridge, AB (Agriculture Centre: 5401-1 Avenue S., Lethbridge County, AB T1J 4V6)
  • Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week (permanent full time).
  • Monday to Friday (08:15 am-16:30 pm) 
  • Please note that hours may change due to environmental factors and urgent situations.
  • This position is expected to travel throughout the province and work in a variety of outdoor environments.


Other Application Information:

  • A cover letter is required with your application, outlining how your education and experience aligns with the role.
  • Final candidates may be required to undergo a written test demonstrating writing skills and abilities pre or post interviews.
  • Please indicate employment duration for all roles listed on your resume and whether you worked part-time or full-time. For example, January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Assistant (PT three 8 hrs. shifts/week).
  • Final candidates will be required to undergo a criminal record check and required to provide a recent drivers abstract.
  • Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.


Links and information on what the GoA has to offer to prospective employees.

How To Apply
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.

Candidates are required to apply for a job online. Please visit https://www.alberta.ca/job-application-resources#before for more information. Please visit Recruitment Principles, for more information.

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)(https://www.alberta.ca/international-qualifications-assessment.aspx) or from a recognized Canadian Credential Evaluator; please visit the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada for more information (https://canalliance.org/en/default.html).

It is recommended that applicants include the assessment certificate from IQAS or any other educational assessment service as part of their application.

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 require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Sam Thomas Mathew at Sam.Thomasmathew@gov.ab.ca.

 

For any questions or interest regarding this employer and the application process, please contact:

Mohammad Haidar

Mohammad.Haidar@gov.ab.ca

About Government of Alberta

Join us in shaping Alberta's future. As the Government of Alberta, we are committed to creating a stronger province for generations to come. The Alberta Public Service works to deliver a vast array of programs and services to meet the needs of Albertans.

With a diverse range of rewarding employment opportunities, we foster an environment that promotes continuous learning and career growth. As one of the largest employers in Alberta, our team is driven by values of respect, accountability, integrity, and excellence. Together, we share a common vision of building a stronger province, making a positive and lasting difference in the lives of Albertans.

Learn more about careers with the Government of Alberta.