Role Responsibilities

Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation has an exciting opportunity for an individual with expertise in database analysis and management to support irrigation water management in the province.

Reporting to the Water Management Modelling Engineer, you will provide technical and analytical support for section initiatives related to irrigation water demand modelling and irrigation data management. This position supports the goals of the Alberta Irrigation Strategy and addresses challenges related to water supply and irrigation demand and their impact on Alberta's agriculture industry.

As part of the Modelling and Data team, you manage and analyze databases involving irrigation data, weather data, spatial data, and water quantity data used for irrigation water modelling in support of water management in the irrigated basins of Alberta.

Key responsibilities:

• Operating and maintaining a basin-scale irrigation demand model for projects such as: irrigation district area expansion, basin water management planning initiatives, sustainable development of irrigation infrastructure, and assessment of the effects of climate variability on irrigation water supply and demand. 
• Support the Section’s mandate with modelling projects, preparing reports and communicating findings to stakeholders. 
• Collaborate with modellers, engineers, agrologists, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and data analysts, and IT specialists as a team. 

Major responsibilities:

• Maintain, enhance, and perform quality control analysis on irrigation and water management databases to ensure data integrity and availability for modelling, analysis, and reporting.
• Support water modelling projects relating to irrigation demand and supply in Alberta through development and implementation of modelling scenarios, and analysis of results.
• Assess water availability under conditions of varying demand and supply as impacted by variable conditions.
• Support maintenance and enhancement of irrigation and water management applications essential for irrigation modelling.
• Collaborate with the irrigation sector on collecting and reporting information on the sector’s state.
• Provide technical support to other government departments and relevant external agencies.

This position requires strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, along with technical abilities to work with irrigation-related data, geospatial data, and support water demand modelling. A thorough understanding of Alberta’s irrigation sector is necessary for success.

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.

Drive for Results - Takes and delegates responsibility for outcomes by using a variety of resources to monitor performance standards, acknowledging even indirect responsibility, committing to what is good for Albertans even if not immediately accepted, and reaching goals consistent with APS direction.

Develop Networks - Works on maintaining close relations with all stakeholders by identifying key relationships, engaging with a range of interested parties, actively incorporating the needs of a broader group, and influencing others through effective communication techniques.

Agility - Works in a fast paced, changing environment and takes initiative to change by taking opportunities to improve work processes.

Creative Problem Solving - Engages the community and available resources to address issues by seeking diverse perspectives to identify root causes, finding ways to improve complex systems, employing resources from various areas to solve problems, and encouraging debate and idea generation while managing risks.

Qualifications

A university degree in computer science or a related discipline such as agriculture, environmental science or physical geography, supplemented by two years of work experience with demonstrated expertise in database analysis and management, or equivalent as described below.

Equivalency: A related two-year diploma in computer technology or a related discipline from a recognized postsecondary institution and four years related experience; or a related one-year certificate from a recognized post-secondary institution and five years related experience.

Required:

• Expertise in data manipulation, data QA/QC, data analysis, data visualization, and interpretation of results.
• Demonstrated experience in database management, including expertise in software and coding languages such as MS Access, advanced Excel (including macros), SQL, DB2, R, Python, and Visual Studio.
• Demonstrated experience in working with spatial model input data using GIS software (e.g. ArcGIS Pro).

Assets:

• Experience with water quantity models, identifying model code changes, and testing and validating model performance.
• Knowledge of irrigated agriculture as applicable to Alberta is also beneficial. 

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 this position is Opted out and Excluded from the Bargaining Union.

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 security screening.
• 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.

• 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.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool - https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• 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 agreement.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.