Division: Operations
Branch: Closure & Liability
Group:
Section:
Manager:
Section Leader:
Location:
Classification: CLASSIFICATION
Level: LEVEL
JOB TITLE: 14-296 Senior Advisor
Join the Alberta Energy Regulator and Be In Great Company!
A career should fulfill many needs. While job security and financial reward are important, some
careers, like the ones at the AER, can provide more than a living – they can provide meaning to
life. In a team of world-class thinkers who regulate how energy resources are discovered,
developed and delivered, your reward can go beyond a job well done. It can go to the pride and
recognition that you’re doing something that matters.
The Alberta Energy Regulator ensures the safe, efficient, orderly, and environmentally
responsible development of hydrocarbon resources over their entire life cycle. For 75 years,
Alberta’s oil and gas regulator has adapted to meet innovations in technology, new industry
activity, and changing social expectations. The Alberta Energy Regulator builds on this foundation
and prepares the province to take on the next era in energy regulation.
We are seeking, diverse team members with strong technical skills to join us in this exciting
journey. Be everything you want to be, by helping us build a legacy of excellence Albertans can
count on.
REPORTS TO: VP Closure & Liability
LOCATION: This position will be located in either Calgary or Edmonton.
DESCRIPTION OF BRANCH/GROUP/SECTION
The Closure and Liability Branch of the AER is responsible for full life cycle responsibilities
including liability management, abandonment, reclamation, and remediation activities related to
energy development. The Closure and Liability Branch includes four main sector groups: in situ,
oil and gas, mining and pipelines with the operations group leading strategic initiatives and
providing business support. For additional information, please refer to AER Bulletin 2014-22:
AER Closure and Liability Organization and Contacts – on the aer.ca website.
PURPOSE OF ROLE:
The Senior Advisor is a key contributor to internal communication processes within the Closure
and Liability Branch, the role supports decisions made at the Executive Vice President (EVP),
and Vice President (VP) level. The Senior Advisor is expected to act independently, but does get
support from the VP and the Directors, and must work collaboratively across the branch and
matrix to effectively achieve the expected outcomes.
This position provides coordination, advice, assistance and support to the VP in the ongoing
strategic and operational management of the branch. Working directly with the VP, Directors, and
Managers to ensure the coordination and workflow between the Operations VP’s, the Executive
Advisory Team, and stakeholders is seamless. The Senior Advisor is also expected to build and
maintain relationships with Operations Branches (both functions and sectors) and across the AER
to maintain and improve knowledge networks, identify and work on touch points to create
efficiencies within the Operations Division.
This position is a senior level technical role providing advice on base business matters, mentoring
and coaching in partnership with Directors and Managers, ensuring efficient delivery of processes
and leading strategic and tactical projects.
Excellent communication, coordination and interpersonal skills are required to support the VP,
and coordinate the deliverables of the Branch in support of the Division. The ability to collaborate
with stakeholders, assess and prioritize issues, research and coordinate supporting information
and facilitate appropriate action will contribute to the success of the Branch and the Alberta
Energy Regulator (AER). A systems thinking approach to issues management within a
collaborative matrix delivery team model will support the VP and organization. The Senior Advisor
is expected to provide information, advice and support to the Branch by providing guidance,
advice and garnering information from a wide range of sources on short notice within tight
timeframes
RESPONSIBILITIES/ DUTIES:
Advisory duties:
 Provides briefings to VP on strategic, operational and corporate both current
and emerging.
 Assesses, prioritizes and researches issues and inquiries with Branch and
possible divisional implications. Determines matters requiring VPs attention.
 Maintains awareness of regulatory, political and technological change and
developments that may impact the Brach or division and briefs the VP
accordingly.
 Represents the VP as requested at meetings/briefings/events to report back
on issues and outcomes.
 Provides advice to VP and other senior leaders as required to determine
appropriate response to address issues and inquiries.
 Provide assistance and coordination to business units in resolving issues, as
requested or required.
 Ensures appropriate integration and coordination of strategic regulatory
development directives and activities with other Operations Branches.
 Coordinate and work on issues with Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) senior
management, Government of Alberta staff, Industry, NGOs, other levels of
government (including outside Alberta), and academia.
 Provide expert technical advice and guidance within a specialized scientific
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field to AER senior management and occasionally to external parties.
Provide advice and guidance on closure and liability issues across all sectors.
Review and analysis of issues and problems and identify options and provide
recommendations.
Provide technical leadership/expertise within the Closure and Liability branch.
Provide science-based advice to support the delivery of Authorizations branch
products, and Environment and Operational Performance Branch programs.
Policy and Regulatory Development:
 Support the development and implementation of new operational policy and
programs; includes evaluation of resources requirements, ease of
implementation, risk mitigation and user acceptance.
 Support the development and implementation of new processes to enhance
effectiveness and efficiency.
 Conduct problem analysis for policy and regulatory development.
Lead or involvement in initiatives:
 Lead and/or be a key resource person on AER executive approved strategic
project and other projects such as Near Term Action Plan, Continuous
Improvement project.
 Lead or be the key resource on the development or updating of programs,
directives and guidance documents.
Committee work:
 Participate and represent AER on committees (internal and external) on
conservation, suspension, reclamation, abandonment, reclamation,
remediation and liability issues for all energy sectors as required.
 Lead the development of best management practices.
 Provide analysis and expert advice on energy issues related to the committee
work.
Training/Mentoring:
 Develop and provide training to industry and other stakeholders on programs,
policy and technical issues.
 Develop and provide training to internal staff on programs and technical issues
and programs.
 Mentor staff for career development.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Preferred: PhD in related discipline with 8 years of experience.
Minimum: Master of Science degree with a minimum of 10 years of related experience, or a
Bachelor of Science degree with a minimum of 15 years of related experience. Thorough
knowledge of and experience in the Mining and In-Situ sector would be preferred.
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Advanced/expert knowledge of soil science and ecology.
Thorough knowledge of conservation and reclamation science for coal and oil sands
operations.
Ability to evaluate and interpret scientific and technical information, integrate new
information as it arises, and develop creative approaches and provide
recommendations for action to manage a wide variety of conservation and
reclamation issues.
Effective working knowledge of development of environmental objectives, policies
(guidelines, standards, legislation, economic instruments or other environmental
tools) including understanding of international, federal and provincial environmental
activities, legislation and policy procedures that apply to reclamation.
Ability to think strategically, identify emerging operational issues, and develop
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options for resolution.
Leadership skills to motivate internal and external multi-stakeholder groups engaged
in planning and funding research as well as multi-disciplinary research teams in a
collaborative and facilitative manner.
Strong organizational, time and project management skills to effectively balance
multiple demands.
Ability to respond to changing priorities and timelines, as well as handle multiple
tasks.
Risk tolerant decision making – ability to make well informed decisions.
Ability to establish contacts and build relations in the research and professional
community to resolve scientific issues and inconsistencies encountered.
Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) to effectively communicate with
specialists and non-specialists, including members of the public.
Negotiation, facilitation and collaboration skills to assist in developing partnerships
and establishing a common vision.
Experience working and interacting with executives and/or senior leadership class
positions.
Ability to treat all information with a high level of confidentiality.
Please note: Should an individual with the required qualifications not be available, applicants
with closely related qualifications may be considered. As a result, the position may be redesigned
and reclassified and offered without reposting. Relocation costs covered by the AER will be
considered on an individual basis.
Interviews will be held in early January 2015.
#LI-POST
HOW TO APPLY:
Please go to the AER Web site www.aer.ca, click on the “Careers” tab, “Search Career
Opportunities,” Select the job you are applying for, click on the APPLY NOW and follow the
instructions.