Water Resource Officer

Published by for Government of Northwest Territories

Water Resource Officer

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The Water Resource Officer is responsible for the provision of inspection, monitoring and enforcement services at the regional level, provides expert technical advisory services to the Department, other departments and agencies, non-government organizations, clients, and other stakeholders to ensure the education of, and compliance with, legislation pertaining to resource management, protection and conservation.

SCOPE The position is located in Fort Simpson, within the Deh Cho Region, and reports directly to the Regional Superintendent. The Water Resource Officer supports the Regional Superintendent by ensuring compliance with various Acts pertaining to water resource management, providing advice to internal and external clients and stakeholders, and representing the region on various committees and boards.

The Water Resource Officer interprets legislation for clients, industry representatives, other government departments and non-government organizations in order to explain the impacts of compliance or non-compliance with pertinent legislation. The duties of the position are carried out in accordance with the federal Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act and regulations, territorial Waters Act and regulations, Northwest Territories Lands Act and Regulations, Wildlife Act, Environmental Protection Act, Forest Management Act, Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and regulations, Canadian Environmental Protection Act and regulations, Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, and the Fisheries Act.

The incumbent acts as a waters advisor to internal staff, industry, government, consultants, non-government organizations, and the public to ensure best water management practices in the district.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Represents the Department as an Inspector under the territorial Waters Act and the Northwest Territories Lands Act. Serves as a technical advisor to Water Boards in the NWT (the NWT Water Board, the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board, and the Wek’èezhìı, Gwich'in and Sahtu Land and Water Boards).

2. Interprets and enforces the territorial Waters Act and regulations, Northwest Territories Lands Act and regulations, departmental policies and procedures, and agreements or memoranda of understanding.

3. Schedules, conducts and documents on-site Inspections of industrial, municipal and other undertakings associated with water use and waste disposal pursuant to the territorial Waters Act and Regulations.

4. Investigates potential non-compliance under the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act and regulations, territorial Waters Act and Regulations and Northwest Territories Lands Act and regulations; gathers information and prepares documents; and represents the Crown as a witness in a court of law or at public hearings.

5. Reviews, analyzes and evaluates technical environmental plans, reports and proposals.

6. Organizes and maintains databases to support the scheduling and tracking of inspections, investigations, and surveys pursuant to the Operations Directorate's Risk Assessment Program, client’s environmental monitoring plans and programs, and the recording and monitoring of environmental spills.

7. Provides technical support to program coordinators, other government departments, non-government organizations, industry, and public; and provides advice to representatives from other internal and external government departments in the creation and review of federal and territorial protocols, procedures and/or guidelines.

8. Prepares and presents comprehensive compliance reports for licensed undertakings on an annual basis, and in the case of a license renewal, over the license term.

9. Responds to emergencies and spills relating to water resources within the Districts.

10. Provides advice and assistance to Resource Management Officers, Renewable Resource Officers and Forest Officers to conduct water related Inspections within the Districts.

11. Coordinates, conducts, and reports on field surveys and studies for the collection of biological, hydrometric, geotechnical, and water quality data.

12. Develops and provides responses to questions on water management policies and practices to clients and public while participating in public forums that can be emotionally charged and adversarial settings.

13. Provides professional expertise and advice to Boards, aboriginal organizations and other government departments and technical input to policy development.

14. Purchases goods and services with government credit cards to conduct daily tasks and authorized travel in accordance with the appropriate directives and regulations (Treasury Board and Departmental). 

15. The incumbent is responsible for the custody, protection and shipping of soil, water and effluent samples gathered during inspections, project monitoring, investigations and the collection of baseline data.

16. The incumbent is responsible for the custody and protection of highly sensitive evidence (documents, photos, environmental samples, and video/audio tape) gathered during investigations for the Crown for use in prosecutions.

17. Depending on operational requirements, may be temporarily assigned the duties of other regional ENR staff by the Regional Superintendent, including duties in fire and forest management, wildlife management, environmental protection or Renewable Resource Officer duties.

WORKING CONDITIONS Physical Demands The work requires sitting for lengthy periods of time, while focusing on written materials or a video display terminal. Travelling over challenging terrain i.e.: tundra, mountains, rivers, lakes, and streams for long periods of time by air, truck, ATV, boat, snowmobile, and by foot, while carrying heavy field equipment and safety/survival gear, often in extreme weather conditions,- requires considerable physical effort.

Travelling to and from inspection sites may take several hours and may occur on a daily or weekly basis. Launching and unloading of snowmobiles/ATVs and boats requires physical strength. Moving drums of fuel (400 pounds) in and around fuel caches in communities or in remote areas requires considerable physical effort.

Wearing protective equipment such as parka, rubber/winter boots, gloves, mitts, rain gear, bug shirts, floating suits, life jackets, hard hat, and goggles while conducting inspections, Investigations and sampling requires physical stamina and restricts fine motor skills, therefore requiring additional effort to function properly.

Environmental Conditions The work is performed in an area where one is regularly exposed to adverse climatic conditions ranging from extremely hot and dry conditions to very wet or extremely cold conditions.

The work involves frequent travel while inspecting reclamation projects, and viewing development sites requiring sitting on small aircraft for periods of up to several hours. Sensory Demands Sensory attention is high during field work. The requirement for attention is extreme when responding to spills of hazardous substances and chemicals and other potentially dangerous situations; focus of sight and hearing is required during enforcement activities and development of submissions. Mental Demands Acting as the interface between scientific and legal processes, and the expectations of the public, exposes the incumbent to frequent and at times significant stresses. The incumbent is expected to meet demands which may be challenging based on available tools, technology, financial resources and existing legislation.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES The work requires knowledge of theory and practices of resource management and environmental protection to ensure the responsible use of water and land resources In the Northwest Territories.

The work requires knowledge of inspection, investigation (taking statements, reading cautions, interviewing, note taking, collection of evidence, legal sampling), auditing and negotiating methods, skills and practices to support effective administration of water licenses and land use permits.

The work requires knowledge of mining, milling and industrial processes and practices to conduct effective and efficient inspections of development project.

The work also requires knowledge of basic engineering practices, and familiarity with seismic, geotechnical, oil and gas drilling, production, mineral exploration and mining operations related waste streams.

The work requires knowledge of the theories, principles and practices of environmental science including chemistry, biology, limnology, and hydrology to assess and provide a wide advice to clients, the public, and the department.

The work requires knowledge of geotechnical and dam safety theory and processes to conduct effective and efficient inspections of hydroelectric projects and mine tailings dams Inspections for the Department.

The work requires knowledge of environmental sampling (water, soil), analysis and interpretation of results to support effective field inspections, investigations, surveys and monitoring programs.

The work requires knowledge of the theory related to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in both sub-arctic and arctic environments for effective technological applications.

The work requires theoretical knowledge of chemistry, biology, biochemistry, and environmental sciences to Identify parameters for effective monitoring of arctic ecosystems.

The work requires knowledge of the use, calibration, set up, and maintenance of laboratory and field sampling equipment, and specialized computer software.

The work requires knowledge of wilderness survival, including: map reading and orientation, GPS operation, first aid, aircraft safety, firearm use and safety, and basic mechanical repairs to ensure the safety of self and colleagues when working in isolated areas.

The incumbent must possess technical reading skills to interpret technical drawings, specifications, project descriptions, legislation, guidelines, standards, and analytical reports.

The work requires knowledge of report writing, critical report review, and analysis of reports prepared by others. The work requires knowledge of the following Acts and regulations: the federal Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act and regulations, territorial Waters Act and regulations, Northwest Territories Lands Act and Regulations, Wildlife Act, Environmental Protection Act, Forest Management Act, Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and regulations, Canadian Environmental Protection Act and regulations, Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, and the Fisheries Act.

Skills related to field sampling for compliance monitoring, spill management, remediation, and investigation. Review of resource development proposals, water licence applications, spill contingency plans, reclamation and remediation plans and waste management plans relevant to terms and conditions of a water licence. Ability to participate in and apply regulatory processes and legislation for the protection of water resources, environment, wildlife, forests, habitat and lands. Technical report writing skills required to communicate effectively with clients, stakeholders, complete inspection reports, letters, prepare documents for courts and brief senior management.

Information

Industry experience

Seniority: Expert, Engineer, Consultant

Taxonomy