Position Number(s) Community(s) Division/Region(s) Yellowknife

Transcription

1 IDENTIFICATION Department Environment & Natural Resources Position Title Environmental Monitoring Specialist Position Number(s) Community(s) Division/Region(s) , 14300, 14301, Yellowknife Conservation, Assessment and Monitoring Division / HQ PURPOSE OF THE POSITION To develop and implement environmental monitoring programs (Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program, NWT Environmental Audit) in the Northwest Territories in consultation with northern communities, government agencies and regulators. SCOPE The Northwest Territories Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program (NWT CIMP) looks at how all uses of land and water, and deposits of waste, affect the environment of the NWT now and the in future. The NWT CIMP is a requirement of the Gwich in, Sahtu, land claim agreements and Tlicho land claim and self-government agreement, and of Part 6 of the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act (MVRMA) and follows a community-based approach to monitoring the human and biophysical aspects of the environment. The Program has been developed by the NWT CIMP Working Group, which is a partnership among NWT Aboriginal governments, the Government of Canada, and the Government of the Northwest Territories. The foundation for cumulative impact assessment is information which allows for the definition of historic and or current set of baseline conditions and which includes regular observations to determine changes in those conditions The Environmental Monitoring Specialist is responsible for initiating, coordinating and implementing regional multidisciplinary environmental research studies and programs. They are required to conceptualize, coordinate and conduct Departmental and communitybased environmental monitoring including Traditional Knowledge and western Science studies; coordinate cross Departmental efforts in design and implementation of regulatory monitoring programs, in particular, the use of Traditional knowledge; aggregate, manipulate and analyze diverse data from various sources including traditional knowledge (TK) and science; plan the logistics for multi-stakeholder field activities; and provide October 31, 2013 GNWT Job Description Page 1 of 6

2 authoritative advice to the Department on development and coordination of environmental field programs; Lead community consultations to identify environmental concerns and develop community-based monitoring programs; Responsible to direct the development of a data management system for scientific and traditional knowledge. The incumbent must continually monitor technical development in the field, research reference material and apply established monitoring techniques in developing communitybased and regulatory environmental monitoring techniques. RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Plans and develops annual operational work plans in consultation with the Section Head and Regional Manager, identifying resources required to implement monitoring programs and managing project funds and materials. 2. Designs and implements detailed environmental monitoring and research programs which utilize Traditional Knowledge and western Science. 3. Establishes and maintains strategic linkages and consultation and information channels with federal, provincial, territorial and university organizations and coordinates northern environmental monitoring programs conducted by Federal and Territorial government departments and Aboriginal agencies. 4. Facilitate implementation of the Part 6 of the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act (MVRMA) and the lnuvialuit Final Agreement (IFA) through development of community-based monitoring programs. 5. Provides technical support and coordination and advises the multi-stakeholder Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program Working group. 6. Advises GNWT on the use of Traditional Knowledge and western Science in the monitoring of the NWT environment. 7. Identifies potential direct and indirect impacts, cumulative effects and mitigative measures of development activities using best practices and current concepts in environmental monitoring. 8. Provides professional expertise and advice to various stakeholders (e.g. institutions of public government, Aboriginal organizations and government agencies) on environmental issues and environmental monitoring; on the use of traditional knowledge in environmental and regulatory monitoring; and provides technical input to Headquarters policy development and recommends policy components. 9. Implements stakeholder participation in community-based monitoring; maintains a public registry of monitoring projects funded under CIMP and prepares October 31, 2013 GNWT Job Description Page 2 of 6

3 comprehensive guidelines to direct future projects; and directs the preparation of State of the Environment reports based on Traditional Knowledge and Scientific information. 10. Coordinates implementation of community-based and government monitoring; provides technical advice and guidance and acts as the departmental representative on relevant working groups and committees; coordinates knowledge sharing meetings between Traditional Knowledge holders, scientists, environmental managers and industry. 11. Develops and prepares written technical reports on environmental monitoring in the Northwest Territories based on Traditional knowledge and western science. These reports describe monitoring methods, including collection, management, sharing and reporting of monitoring data. State of the environment reports and technical or scientific papers will be produced with other government and community research partners. 12. Develops, writes and provides responses to questions on environmental monitoring policies and the use of Traditional knowledge in baseline and regulatory monitoring. Provide public presentations on environmental monitoring, including presentation of sensitive results. Represent the CIMP program to facilitate active participation of communities and other groups in environmental monitoring. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES The work requires knowledge of the theories and principles of the biophysical environment, including land, water and pollution to identify appropriate monitoring approaches to assess, ecosystem components, their interactions and the cumulative impacts of development on the northern environment. The work requires knowledge of the theories, principles and practices of diverse fields of environmental and social sciences pertaining to environmental monitoring, including physical geography, statistical approaches, geographic information systems (GIS), and interview methodology Thorough knowledge of departmental program objectives and requirements with respect to environmental, regulatory and land claims obligations is required to develop recommendations regarding cumulative impacts and the design and development of monitoring programs with respect to implementation of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA), the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act (MVRMA) and the lnuvialuit Final Agreement (IFA). The work requires knowledge of the various Aboriginal land claim agreements and the functions of the various boards of public government to facilitate comanagement and partnerships in natural resource management through traditional knowledge and scientific monitoring and research. October 31, 2013 GNWT Job Description Page 3 of 6

4 Analytical skills are required to conceptualize and conduct monitoring and research within a multi-stakeholder and interdisciplinary environment, to provide advice on government, community and regulatory monitoring methods and techniques, to develop joint venture/partnerships. Communication skills are required to present programs to and negotiate with potential community/government/industry/academic stakeholders, to present/defend project directions to management. Reading skills are required to perform internal/external peer reviews of monitoring findings. Writing skills are required to prepare reports/publications directed toward a range of audiences, including northern aboriginal agencies, regulators, science professionals and the public. Human relations skills are required to lead multistakeholder teams comprised of government, aboriginal and academic partners. The work requires knowledge of problem solving and negotiations techniques to assist in project management; report writing; critical review and analysis of reports prepared by research and monitoring partners. Strong field research; communications and presentation skills. The work requires knowledge of different regional ecosystems in the NWT in order to identify site specific potential environmental issues and provide recommendations for mitigation to regulatory agencies. The work requires knowledge of data entry, verification, manipulation, retrieval, electronic file management and software programs to retrieve information and analysis of data (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, CIDM, GroupWise, etc.) for accuracy and scientific quality. The work requires experience of and knowledge of financial management, budgeting and reporting. The work requires experience and knowledge of community consultation protocols and methods to establish and maintain community based research activity. The work requires experience and up-to-date knowledge of the range of social science research methods used in community based environmental monitoring and research. The incumbent must have good judgment, superior communication, and presentation skills and operate in an autonomous, flexible, discreet, and trustworthy fashion. Typically, the above qualifications would be attained by: These knowledge, skills and abilities are most commonly obtained through the acquisition of a Masters degree in Natural Resources Management, Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Geography or similar relevant discipline, along with four years progressive experience in environmental monitoring and/or environmental. management, legislative and policy analysis and development, and project management. October 31, 2013 GNWT Job Description Page 4 of 6

5 WORKING CONDITIONS (Working Conditions identify the unusual and unavoidable, externally imposed conditions under which the work must be performed and which create hardship for the incumbent.) Physical Demands The work involves physical effort to work at a computer keyboard 6+ hours a day. The work also involves participating in fieldwork, during northern summer or winter conditions when establishing and conducting monitoring programs. Physical effort is required to sit for long periods of time when analyzing research sources/data; and to walk long distances, lift/move equipment in boxes/crates of up to 40 kg or carry backpacks of up to 20 kg in field environments and ensure safety of teams. Travel to remote locations or small communities may also require carrying one's own gear from the airport to the community, on foot. The employee must carry appropriate protective equipment such as firearms, bear repellent and various types of insect repellents or bug shirt. Protective clothing may be hot to wear and cumbersome (e.g. arctic parkas, floater suits, rain suits, bug shirts/hoods, goggle and safety boots). Environmental Conditions Field work involves exposure to extreme weather conditions, exposure to biting/swarming insects and wild animals (e.g. bears, grizzly and black, and moose), and rough terrain. This occurs between 2 and 6 times per year for up to one week duration at a time. There is some risk of injury when working in isolated areas of the region. Sensory Demands Sensory attention is high during field work, though it is infrequent. Mental Demands The work requires travel to remote communities and negotiating in multi-stakeholder environments. This will involve overnight travel and may take place in small aircraft, motor vehicles, snowmobiles, and all terrain vehicles. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS Position Security (check one) X No criminal records check required Position of Trust criminal records check required Highly sensitive position requires verification of identity and a criminal records check October 31, 2013 GNWT Job Description Page 5 of 6

6 CERTIFICATION Title: Environmental Monitoring Specialist Position Number(s): , 14300, 14301, Employee Signature Supervisor Signature Printed Name Printed Name Date I certify that I have read and understand the responsibilities assigned to this position. Date I certify that this job description is an accurate description of the responsibilities assigned to the position. Deputy Head/Delegate Signature Date I approve the delegation of the responsibilities outlined herein within the context of the attached organizational structure. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbents of this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and activities required of this position. October 31, 2013 GNWT Job Description Page 6 of 6