Hydrologist

Alberta Energy Regulator • Edmonton, AB

3d • CA$102,000 - CA$120,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Alberta Geological Survey (AGS), a branch of the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER), is recruiting for a Hydrologist with expertise in remote sensing to join a talented group of geoscientists within the Groundwater Geoscience Team. The Hydrologist will apply advanced knowledge of physical and regional hydrology and process remote sensing datasets in support of mapping groundwater-dependent ecosystems in the Athabasca and Cold Lake oil sands regions. This initiative is part of a multi-year AGS project focused on characterizing groundwater conditions for the Oil Sands Monitoring Program. The program’s aim is to develop a long-term groundwater monitoring network, utilizing surficial geology, distribution of Neogene–Quaternary aquifer systems, baseline groundwater geochemistry, vulnerability, and groundwater-dependent ecosystem mapping. This role will consist of creating watershed-scale groundwater-dependent ecosystem maps relying on surficial geology, terrain analysis, groundwater-levels, and geological maps. In addition, the hydrologist will integrate remote-sensing based observations with outputs from physics based hydrological modelling to predict groundwater movement and hydrological response to environmental change. The Hydrologist will be positioned within an interdisciplinary geoscience team that engages with external collaborators and stakeholders. This responsibility requires strong communication and presentation skills, plus innovative thinking to understand problems and devise solutions. The individual will utilize their prior experience, education, training, and research skills to fulfill internal and external project objectives.

Requirements

• B.Sc. in remote sensing, hydrology, engineering, geography, or a related discipline
• 5-7 years of relevant industry, academia, or government engineering, remote-sensing or geoscience experience.
• Prior experience quantifying groundwater-surface water interaction using remote sensing, isotope hydrology, field-based methods, or analytical techniques.
• Possess a strong working knowledge of remote sensing methods and data sources.
• Proficient in ArcGIS, geostatistical analysis, and image processing software.
• Familiarity with a variety of programming languages (Python, R, Google Earth Engine, ENVI).
• Experience with numerical and analytical solutions in hydrology and associated software.
• Strong written and oral communication skills to communicate moderately complex earth observation concepts, practices, or approaches to scientific audiences.
• Collaborative team player who values developing relationships and sharing ideas and knowledge with others.
• All applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada at the time of application.

Nice To Haves

• M.Sc. or Ph.D. is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of the hydrology, hydrogeology, and geology of the Alberta oil sands areas is considered an asset.
• Ability and willingness to undertake field work if needed.

Responsibilities

• Assess hydrological interactions between groundwater and surface water in Alberta’s oil sands regions and process remote sensing datasets to support groundwater-dependent ecosystem mapping.
• Apply remote sensing expertise to process and interpret multispectral, thermal, and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery and related derivative products in support of hydrologic assessment and groundwater dependent ecosystem mapping.
• Integrate data and knowledge on surficial and Quaternary geology, and hydrogeological mapping to support delineation of groundwater-dependent ecosystems.
• Prepare and deliver presentations and reports for the AGS, external collaborators, and project stakeholders.
• Compile, organize and manage data from a variety of sources (e.g., remote sensing, hydrometric, precipitation, chemistry/isotope, and groundwater monitoring data) to support project objectives and deliverables.
• Create groundwater-dependent ecosystem maps at publication quality with various climate, surface water, and groundwater related information in an ArcGIS environment.

Benefits

• Health spending account (HSA) and vacation entitlement available from your first day.
• Flexible work options and hours, aligned with organizational policies.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level