Environmental Response Specialist

Classification: Grid 27, BCGEU Membership

Office Location: Fort St John

Salary: $88,386.22 – $100,776.50 – Permanent Full-Time, based on a 35-hour work week.
An additional 20.75% Job Family Market Multiplier will be added to the posted salary. 
An additional 3% Location Allowance will be added to posted salary for northern location.

About the Job:                
The Environmental Response Specialist (Specialist) protects the environment and the public by providing authoritative and technical expertise on the management, assessment and remediation associated with spillage and discharges from oil and gas activities. This is achieved through administration and enforcement of the Energy Resource Activities Act (ERAA), the Environmental Management Act (EMA), and other applicable regulations. 

The Specialist works through the Supervisor, Environmental Management & Restoration Verification to enhance systematic approaches, policies, and procedures to ensure consistent and appropriate management and documentation of spillage from oil and gas activities. The Specialist also works to ensure and maintain coordinated approaches and interaction with other related agencies.

Organization Chart: 
Commissioner, Chief Executive Officer
          Executive Vice President, Safety & Compliance
                    Vice President, Compliance & Operations
                              Executive Director, ALP & Operations
                                        Supervisor, Environmental Management & Restoration Verification 
                                                  Environmental Response Specialist

Responsibilities

Ensure consistent management and follow up to incident reports involving spills or releases.

Conduct follow up investigation as required which may involve site visits to determine that the appropriate response actions were taken and follow up at sites with longer term remediation issues.

Gather evidence for legal proceedings and testifying in court where required.

Provide operational support for BCER ambient air quality monitoring systems including equipment deployment, filter and gas canister replacement, etc.

Provide technical support for BCER ambient air quality monitoring equipment involving the use of specialized hardware and software.

Provide authoritative, technical direction to industry, environmental consultants, governments, staff, stakeholders and the public for acceptable waste management policy, legislation, handling, storage, disposal or discharge for the upstream oil and gas industry.

Prepare technical recommendation and directions to the Supervisor, regarding, environmental impacts, based upon technical review and analysis of preliminary and detailed site investigation reports, remediation plans and confirmation of remediation reports.

Audit, or investigate non-compliance of a statutory authorizations, evaluate and characterize environmental impacts and summarize information in report form and determines the most effective method to mitigate environmental impacts of a non-compliance through technical assessment, negotiations and problem resolution.

Review, assess and provide technical advice and recommendations to environmental protection plans produced by QEP’s.

Provide technical assessment on reports submitted on environmental issues, identify concerns of others (agencies, stakeholders and elected officials) resolving differences and formulating strategies on proposed discharges.

Perform and support environmental monitoring actions undertaken by the BCER.

Answer queries from and provides technical advice to, BCER staff, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, other government agencies, QEP’s, the public and stakeholders regarding oil and gas field operations waste management.

Plan, organize and represent the BCER at technical seminars, stakeholder events, staff training and development opportunities.

Maintain and update a comprehensive knowledge of oil and gas field waste materials, water, well drilling/completion/workover fluids, gases, and other wastes as well as mitigative and remediation technologies through independent research and attending conferences, seminars, and training courses.

Qualifications

Education:
Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a related field such as such as Chemistry, Biology, Earth Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Protection, Spill Response, Emergency Management and three years of relevant experience; or

Diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution in a relevant field such as such as Chemistry, Biology, Earth Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Protection, Spill Response, Emergency Management and five years of relevant experience.

An equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be considered.

Experience:
Demonstrated experience in environmental emergency response under the Environmental Management Act including attending or responding to hazardous materials spills, assessing spill related hazards or threats to health or the environment, determining if spill response actions are necessary to address hazards or threats, and monitoring or supervising spill response actions.

Demonstrated experience in environmental protection and pollution prevention under the Environmental Management Act including assessing environmental impacts or pollution associated with discharges of waste to the environment and characterizing and managing waste materials.

Demonstrated experience in emergency management (hazmat emergency response, spill response, cleanup and remediation, fire department suppression activities, transportation of dangerous goods, spill contingency planning, oil spill response).

Key Competencies
Conflict Management
The ability to effectively identify, address, and work to resolve conflicts within the organization or externally. It involves managing risks, fostering positive working relationships, and promoting a collaborative and productive work environment.

Influence
The ability to guide and shape others’ understanding of key issues and priorities to achieve corporate goals while appreciating cultural and political nuances. It involves using strategic communication and relationship building to effectively influence and align others to support organizational objectives.

Problem Solving and Judgement
The ability to systematically analyze problems, identify root causes, evaluate potential solutions, and make sound decisions to address challenges and achieve desired outcomes.

Team Building
The ability to develop group identity, facilitate decision-making, and foster open and effective communication within diverse teams across the organization. It involves building and sustaining trust through integrity, concern for others, consistent behaviour, following through on commitments, and promoting open communication.

If you are interested in applying for this role and meet the minimum selection criteria, please select “Apply Now” and submit your application prior to the closing date. Applicants should review the education and experience listed in the job requisition and clearly articulate how their work experience and skills are aligned with the requirements. Please note, applicants will only be contacted if they are selected to proceed further in the process. An eligibility list with a duration of 6 months may be established.

About the BC Energy Regulator:

The BC Energy Regulator (BCER) is the Province of B.C.’s life-cycle energy resources regulator. The BCER is a Crown agency with a mandate to ensure energy resource activities are undertaken in a manner that: protects public safety and the environment, supports reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and the transition to low-carbon energy, conserves energy resources and fosters a sound economy and social well-being.

As a cost recoverable, values driven organization, we prioritize safety, stewardship and Indigenous interests throughout the full project lifecycle – from exploration to reclamation – and support the transition to clean energy. The BCER is committed to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, honouring the Provincial commitment to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action. Through fostering respectful and collaborative relationships with Indigenous partners and stakeholders, the BCER delivers on Government’s priorities.

The BCER has an innovative forward-thinking workplace that demonstrates our core values. Through continuous improvement and development, the BCER is agile and responsive to the rapidly changing environment in which we operate. We are diverse and inclusive, with transparency, innovation, and integrity as foundation of our respectful culture.

What We Offer:

The BCER operates under a Hybrid Office Model whereby employees work from both a home office and a designated BCER office location in order to support our mandate (eligibility may vary, depending on position).

The BCER is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on the protected grounds under the Human Rights Code. The BCER is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for the removal of barriers for qualified individuals. If you need assistance or accommodation, please let us know.

We acknowledge and respect the many First Nations, each with unique cultures, languages, legal traditions and relationships to the land and water, on whose territories the British Columbia Energy Regulator's work spans.

Please contact us at Recruitment@bc-er.ca if you require any assistance or more information.

The BCER’s Compliance & Operations department provides key functions to fulfilling BCER’s mandate, covering post-permitting phases of the regulatory lifecycle. Departmental functions include Compliance & Enforcement, Emergency Management, Aboriginal Liaison Program, Certificate of Restoration and Core Research Facility administration.