Classification: Grid 24, BCGEU Membership 

Office Location: Fort St John

Salary: $76,313.27 - $86,898.73 – Temporary Full-Time, based on a 35-hour work week.
An additional 10.75% 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 Natural Resource Officer (Officer) assesses, evaluates, manages and renders final decisions on proposed energy resource activity applications by issuing permits and approvals under the Land Act, Forest Act and Water Sustainability Act.  The incumbent will assess, evaluate and make recommendations to decision makers on applications under the Energy Resource Activities Act and on projects primarily regulated by the Canada Energy Regulator. This position requires interacting with other technical and environmental professionals, liaising with applicants, and making recommendations to the leadership team.

Organization Chart:    
Commissioner, Chief Executive Officer
          Executive Vice President, Resource Management & Stewardship
                    Vice President, Responsible Development & Indigenous Relations
                              Executive Director, Responsible Development
                                        Director, Authorizations
                                                  Natural Resource Officer

Manage and evaluate assigned application reviews, determine scope of review, identify areas of real or potentially problematic concern, and as appropriate, coordinate referral input, and generate a recommendation or application determination.

Evaluate applications for potential environmental impacts in relation to legislation, policies, and land/resource management plans. Develop recommendations on approvals or refusals, and may apply negotiation and mediation skills to resolve conflicts with proponents and stakeholders, including in complex, multi-party or controversial situations.

Render final determinations on applications that do not involve uncertainties or complex issues external to own area of specialization and coordinate advice and guidance for more complex cases involving other disciplines or external considerations.

Interact with other ministries and Government agencies, local Governments and the public to address and resolve application specific issues and/or potential concerns.

Liaise with staff responsible for consultation with Indigenous communities to identify and resolve application specific issues affecting Indigenous interests.

Recommend, as required, mitigation and reclamation measures with regard to contentious and environmental and/or related concerns.

Evaluate for technical completeness in regard to reviews undertaken for all assigned applications; resolve outstanding issues and support the BCER’s final determination.

Coordinate/participate in administrative and communications processes necessary to define, convey and record conditions under which licenses, permits, authorizations and approvals are being awarded.

Liaise and cooperate with staff responsible for compliance and enforcement activities, (BCER, Ministry of Forests, Ministry of Environment, etc.) to support ongoing monitoring and enforcement activities for ensuring permits, authorizations and approvals are implemented and managed in keeping with stipulated conditions of approval, etc.

Conduct field visits to verify pre- and post-activity site conditions and assess potential or actual impacts.

Inspect areas consistent with incumbent expertise/decision making duties and only those over which the BCER has direct authority.

Enter inspection results and/or alleged deficiencies and notify permit holder in cooperation with Compliance & Enforcement branch and within predetermined time limits.

Monitor deficiencies noted, consistent with area of expertise, until satisfied or escalated for enforcement action.

Provide highly specialized technical expertise in one or several areas of energy resource management functions in British Columbia (e.g. Forestry, Habitat, Fish and Wildlife, Water, and Land):
Furnish expert knowledge and theory to branch colleagues, other BCER staff and industry concerning general or application specific needs requiring special attention or examination in the framework of the overall adjudication process.

Maintain currency in regard to evolving technologies affecting own area(s) of specialization; ensure professional designations are current where applicable.

Utilize internal and external databases to assist in application reviews including but not limited to; NEWT, WHISTLER, GeoBC, ILRR, Tantalis, FTAS.

Support development and implementation of BCER initiatives and business plans:
Coordinate/monitor conduct of environmental and related research studies and projects undertaken by contracted consultants, evaluate outcomes.

Develop and recommend policies and guidelines to enhance quality assurance standards and industry service levels regarding approval processes.

Provide input to procedural manuals for internal and external use.

Act as an ongoing source of expert knowledge and theory to industry and stakeholders as it pertains to own area(s) of specialization.

Support the Responsible Development, Transmission line, and Renewable Energy teams, as required.

Education:
A degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a relevant field such as Resource Management and minimum two years related experience; or

A diploma in a relevant field such as Resource Management, and minimum three years related experience; or

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

Experience:
Demonstrated experience in a Resource Management field such as fish and wildlife habitat management, environmental management, forestry or Crown land management, preparing and/or reviewing resource development plans or land use plans.

Demonstrated experience dealing with a wide range of resource users such as Government, industry, special interest groups and the public.

Demonstrated experience in writing and interpreting technical material and providing advice to other technical staff, clients and/or the public on same.

Demonstrated experience in processing or applying for energy resource related applications and/or permits.

Key Competencies:
Analytical Thinking
The ability to examine and understand complex situations by breaking them down into components, identifying patterns or relationships, and applying logical reasoning to systematically organize information and identify key factors or underlying causes prior to making decisions.

Flexibility and Adaptability
The ability and willingness to adjust to diverse situations and work effectively with a variety of individuals or groups. It involves understanding and appreciating different and opposing perspectives, adapting one’s approach as situations change, and accepting changes within one’s work. It also encompasses reacting positively to change and cooperating readily with revised methods and priorities in a changing work environment.

Planning
The ability to define actions and identify resources needed to deliver on corporate goals. It marks the transition from critical thinking and decision making to driving results. Effective planning involves proactively establishing priorities, allocating resources, developing, and implementing complex plans, and continuously monitoring and adjusting work to meet 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.

 

If you are interested in applying for this role and meet the minimum selection criteria, please 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.

The Responsible Development branch leads the organization’s efforts in promoting responsible energy resource development while ensuring alignment with B.C.’s mandate under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples’ Act (DRIPA) and the organization’s strategic goals. The department leads the end-to-end application review, decision making, and post-permitting administration processes while considering potential impacts of energy resource activities on land owners, rights holders, Indigenous peoples and other stakeholders.