Limnologist/Water Quality Specialist

Job Information

Job Title: Limnologist/Water Quality Specialist

Job Requisition ID: 81978

Ministry: Environment and Protected Areas

Location: Edmonton. Other locations in Alberta may be considered.

Full or Part-Time: Full Time

Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week

Permanent/Temporary: Permanent

Scope: Open Competition

Closing Date: April 28, 2026

Classification: Natural Resources 9

Salary: $3,374.88 to $4,367.45 bi-weekly ($88,084 - $113,990/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 our website at https://www.alberta.ca/environment-and-protected-areas.aspx .

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Senior Air and Watershed Resource Manager, the Limnologist / Water Quality Specialist provides expert scientific and technical advice to support surface water quality management, regulatory approvals, and cumulative effects management across Alberta.

This role focuses on real-world water quality issues – reviewing industrial and municipal approvals, interpreting monitoring and modelling data, leading investigations into water quality impairments, and supporting the design and implementation of regional surface water quality management frameworks.

You will work closely with regulatory staff, policy teams, watershed partners, and external stakeholders to ensure water quality outcomes are protective of aquatic ecosystem and public health.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Reviewing water quality monitoring and modelling submissions for environmental assessments and regulatory approvals.
• Providing technical advice to approvals and compliance teams on effluent limits, monitoring requirements, and pollution mitigation.
• Leading investigations and focused studies to identify sources, impacts, and management options for water quality issues.
• Supporting the development and implementation of regional surface water quality management frameworks.
• Contributing scientific expertise to multi-stakeholder committees and watershed planning groups.
• Advising on the design of water quality monitoring networks and targeted field studies.
• Providing scientific input into provincial water quality policy, guidance, and frameworks.
• Communicating technical findings clearly through written reports, presentations, and stakeholder discussions.

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 .

• Systems Thinking: Understands how regional water quality issues, cumulative effects, regulatory decisions, and provincial policy interact, and applies this understanding when reviewing data, approvals, and management options.
• Creative Problem Solving: Analyzes complex water quality issues using scientific evidence, professional judgment, and incomplete information to identify practical, defensible solutions.
• Develop Networks: Builds effective working relationships with internal teams, other ministries, and external stakeholders to support collaborative water quality management.
• Drive for Results: Delivers timely, high-quality scientific advice and recommendations that support regulato