Job Information
Job Title: Conservation K9 Specialist
Job Requisition ID: 79961
Ministry: Environment and Protected Areas
Location: Various locations across Alberta
Full or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week
Permanent/Temporary: Permanent
Scope: Open Competition
Closing Date: March 2, 2026
Classification: Natural Resources 7
Salary: $2,766.05 to 3,558.58 bi-weekly ($72,193 - $92,878/year)
Alberta Environment and Protected Areas is dedicated to safeguarding Alberta's natural resources and ecosystems while balancing environmental and economic needs. We focus on wildlife conservation, managing protected areas, creating environmental policies, conducting research, and engaging the public through educational initiatives. Our commitment is to sustainability, ensuring Alberta’s landscapes and resources are preserved and responsibly managed for future generations.
The Resource Stewardship Division plays a central role in managing Alberta’s natural resources through science-based planning, policy development, and regulatory oversight. It ensures the sustainable use and protection of Alberta’s land, water, and biodiversity by integrating environmental data, supporting conservation initiatives, and guiding responsible resource development.
For more information about the Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas, please visit https://www.alberta.ca/environment-and-protected-areas.aspx.
Are you passionate about safeguarding Alberta’s natural ecosystems? Do you thrive in challenging outdoor environments, love working with dogs, and want to be part of a science-driven program that prevents invasive species from threatening our landscapes?
We are seeking two Conservation K9 Specialists, a unique, highly specialized role that combines advanced field science, canine handling, public outreach, and frontline aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention. You will train, handle, and care for a provincial detection dog, deploying across Alberta to identify threats before they become costly ecological problems.
This is an opportunity to join a respected, innovative program that is shaping the future of conservation detection work across Canada.
As a Conservation K9 Specialist, you will:
Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.
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.
Position specific competencies:
Requirements
Education: A Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Conservation, Natural Resource Management, Biology, Ecology, or a closely related field.
Experience: Minimum 2 years of experience, including:
Equivalency: Additional related education considered in lieu of experience on a one-for-one basis.
Other:
Assets:
Candidates who do not yet meet all the qualifications may be considered for a position at a lower classification level, with the opportunity to advance to the higher classification once all criteria are fully met.
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.
This competition is to fill two full-time, permanent positions that may be based at various locations across Alberta, with operational activities occurring frequently in eastern and southern regions near border areas. These roles have standard weekly hours of 36.25, with the possibility of overtime, including evenings and weekends, as operational needs dictate.
The Conservation K9 Field Specialist is considered a lifestyle position, rather than a traditional job. Extensive travel, often intensive fieldwork in remote locations, and caring for a working dog 24/7 are the norm. The successful candidate will be paired full-time with a Government of Alberta detection dog and is expected to maintain a strong working partnership with the canine, including year-round training, supervision, and welfare management. Housing, structured care, use of a fenced yard, crating when away, and possible restrictions regarding other animals or children are required.
Work conditions include a mix of outdoor and indoor responsibilities. Field operations occur across forests, wetlands, shorelines, and other rugged terrain. Specialists must be physically fit, capable of walking up to 20 km per day while carrying equipment, navigating uneven ground, and performing tasks that involve bending, crouching, or crawling. Fieldwork may take place during early mornings, irregular hours, or extended days, with exposure to extreme weather, water, insects, and encounters with wildlife. Significant travel across Alberta, occasional travel to other provinces, and the USA is required.
In addition to fieldwork, specialists perform office-based tasks that support program delivery, including planning, data analysis, reporting, stakeholder coordination, and research contributions. Independent work in the field is balanced with collaborative engagement with colleagues, partner agencies, Indigenous communities, and the public.
Strict adherence to occupational health and safety protocols is essential to manage risks for both the handler and the canine while maintaining operational effectiveness and program quality. Specialists are expected to demonstrate professional judgment, adaptability, and initiative to meet the challenges of both field and office work in this dynamic, high-impact conservation program.
Application Instructions:
Please submit a cover letter and an updated resume. In your resume, clearly indicate the duration of each role by providing the month and year, and specify the employment status (e.g., casual, part-time, full-time).
Example: Conservation Field Technician, July 2018 to August 2022, Full-time (36.25 hours/week).
For your post-secondary education, specify your major, length of the program, and year of graduation.
Example: Bachelor of Environmental Science, 4-year program, September 2014 to June 2018.
Your application should highlight relevant field experience, conservation or invasive species work, and any experience working with dogs or in canine detection programs, as these are essential for success in this role.
Important Note:
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an in-person handling assessment and interview in Lethbridge, Alberta on March 14-15, 2026. Successful candidates must also be available to attend a five-week training and certification program in the USA, commencing April 13, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to ensure their availability for these key dates prior to applying.
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 have 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.
In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. For example, January 2006 - June 2009 (part-time). This example is provided for illustrative purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to present their information clearly and thoroughly, using a format that best conveys their experience.
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 Jane McEwen at Jane.McEwen@gov.ab.ca.
We are committed to hiring military and Veteran spouses and encourage you to identify your connection with the MSEN when reaching out to us or applying to any of our open roles.
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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.