Position: Hydrogeologist/Oil Sands Technician – Position 08-286

The ERCB acts in the best interests of all Albertans in overseeing the efficient and effective development of our resources, while balancing the need for resource conservation, public safety, environmental protection, technical innovation and service. This broad mandate places the new Energy Resources Conservation Board at the forefront of the regulatory world. With a passion for service, the ERCB will create a legacy of excellence for present and future generations of Albertans. 

The rewards and challenges are enormous. We are seeking highly skilled and diverse team members possessing strong technical skills with a vision and desire to carry out the mandate of the new ERCB.

Grow individually and as a Team member in your career by helping to build the new ERCB to serve all Albertans.  

Descriptions:

Fort McMurray Branch
Fort McMurray Group
Environment Section

Reports to:    Section Leader

Purpose:

The ERCB requires a hydrologist to evaluate oil sand mine development applications to assess groundwater resource impacts due to oil sand development and management alternatives. The incumbent will assist the ERCB to perform its mandate, particularly resource appraisal and ensuring orderly development.

Responsibilities:

• The position objective will be to understand and manage groundwater resources by applying geology modeling, monitoring protocol, and groundwater protection requirements of the mineable oil sands region.
• Assist the Fort McMurray Branch application reviews by: 
  • Understanding regional and local geology and hydrogeology
  • Evaluating groundwater chemistry
  • Examining water source proposals for aquifer capability and communication
  • Evaluating water disposal options for aquifer capability, transmissivity, storativity, chemistry, and caprock integrity
• Evaluate current groundwater flow regimes and interactions
• Evaluate the potential for future changes in groundwater conditions that may result due to oil sand mine development
• Identify and evaluate groundwater discharge and recharge areas
• Identify and evaluate areas of potential groundwater and surface water interaction
• Within mineable oil sands areas, perform digital bitumen and geological well log evaluations with appropriate software, identifying geological horizons, recognizing basic depositional environments, and determining petrophysical characteristics
• Interpret environmental and geologic data for hydrogeology assessment and development of oil sand resources
• Hydrogeology assessments of oil sand mine applications and existing developments; determine information gaps in applications and recommend mitigation strategies to address gaps identified
• Other technical duties, as required

Qualifications:

• B.Sc. in Geology with a MSC in hydrogeology with 2 years of related experience or a  technical diploma with 8 years progressively related experience in hydrogeology
• Strong knowledge of groundwater flow regime and testing protocol, geophysical log interpretation, and oil sand geology
• An understanding of groundwater resource assessment, development and mitigation strategies
• Experience with geology and groundwater modeling software;  MODFLOW/FEFLOW/ AQUACHEM & the Contaminant Transport model to assess hydrogeology impacts of oil sand mine development
• Ability to manage information and data in a database environment
• Very strong computer skills in PC Office software, geology, and hydrogeology modeling software and the ability to learn software quickly
• Experience with GIS software 
• Self motivated with the ability to work independently and within a team environment
• Knowledge of oil sand mine development and commercial thermal bitumen operations would be beneficial.
• Experience with tailings seepage management would be an asset.
• Must be eligible for professional registration in Alberta (APEGGA)
• Good verbal and written communication skills

This position will remain open until a suitable candidate has been chosen.

Please go to www.ercb.ca and follow the "careers" link to "current opportunities" and refer to Position 08-286 to submit your resume.