Lands Officer

Government of Alberta • Slave Lake, AB

5d • CA$82,621 - CA$106,711 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Ministry of Forestry and Parks supports the well-being of Albertans through sustainable development and management of Alberta’s lands, forests, and parks. The ministry addresses land management, access, compliance and enforcement, and appeals and dispute resolution with respect to public lands in Alberta. It provides Albertans and visitors with opportunities to explore unique natural landscapes, engage in nature-based experiences and outdoor recreational activities.

Reporting to the Lands Team Lead, this role is responsible managing Alberta's Crown lands by reviewing, authorizing, and overseeing industrial, commercial, recreational, municipal, and public land use activities. You will apply legislation, policy, and Integrated Resource Management principles to ensure Crown lands are developed responsibly while protecting environmental, cultural, and public values. Working independently, you will collaborate with Indigenous communities, municipalities, industry, government agencies, and stakeholders to support sustainable land stewardship for current and future generations.

Requirements

• A completed 4 years Degree in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Technology, Forest Technology, Natural Sciences, Land and Natural Resource Management or a related field.
• Minimum 4 years of environmental and Crown land management experience in regulatory compliance, inspections, and land-use management.
• A valid Class 5 Driver’s License (or equivalent).
• Experience in administering applicable government legislation, regulations, and policies (i.e. Public Lands Act, Public Lands Administration Regulation, Provincial Parks Act, Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, Water Act, Weed Control Act, Forests Act, Forest and Prairie Protection Act, and the Mines and Minerals Act).
• Experience assessing Crown land applications by considering wildlife, soils, water resources, forestry, public use, Indigenous interests, and cumulative effects.
• Knowledge of integrated land management and reclamation standards to reduce environmental liabilities and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Experience conducting inspections, compliance monitoring, investigations, and enforcement activities.
• Proficiency with government and GIS-related systems, including CLAT, EDS, DSPT, GLIMPS, DRAS, ECSS, and IGX.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and SharePoint.
• Knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety, Transportation of Dangerous Goods, working-alone procedures, and wilderness safety.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, including mediation, negotiation, and conflict resolution with industry, government agencies, Indigenous communities, and the public.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities and make independent decisions in a fast-paced regulatory environment.
• Knowledge of soil science, forestry, fisheries, wildlife, reclamation, erosion control, riparian management, and water resource management.
• Experience leading working groups and collaborating across multidisciplinary teams.

Nice To Haves

• Experience operating specialized field equipment, including electronic information and tracking systems, GPS units, ATVs, 4x4 trucks in off-highway conditions, and trailer units.
• Current certifications in TDG (Air & Ground), WHMIS, H2S Alive, Standard First Aid & Basic CPR, ATV Rider Course, and Defensive Driving.
• Field operations experience using GPS, compass navigation, 4x4 vehicles, ATVs, side-by-sides, and snowmobiles.

Responsibilities

• Review, assess, and process applications for activities on Crown and park lands, ensuring compliance with provincial legislation, policy, and regulatory requirements.
• Evaluate land use proposals and make evidence-based recommendations or decisions on approvals, refusals, amendments, renewals, assignments, and cancellations of dispositions.
• Balance economic development with environmental protection by considering ecosystem health, biodiversity, Indigenous interests, public access, recreation, and cumulative land-use impacts.
• Coordinate referrals and consultations with municipalities, Indigenous communities, government departments, regulators, industry, and other stakeholders to support integrated land-use decisions.
• Conduct inspections, compliance audits, and field investigations to ensure authorized activities meet regulatory conditions and identify unauthorized land use.
• Recommend and implement appropriate compliance and enforcement actions, including remediation, reclamation, abatement, or referrals through established compliance processes.
• Review and monitor operational, conservation, reclamation, and business plans for industrial, commercial, tourism, recreation, and aggregate operations.
• Provide professional advice and technical guidance to applicants, stakeholders, government partners, and the public regarding Crown land legislation, approvals, regulatory processes, and land management practices.
• Resolve land-use conflicts through negotiation, mediation, and collaborative problem-solving while maintaining positive stakeholder relationships.
• Support land stewardship initiatives by contributing to regional planning, policy development, endangered species recovery, access management, and conservation planning.
• Maintain accurate records, spatial data, and regulatory information using departmental databases and mapping systems.
• Identify opportunities to improve regulatory processes, reduce administrative burden, and enhance service delivery through innovation and continuous improvement.
• Participate in emergency response activities, cross-functional initiatives, and provide mentorship or operational support to colleagues as required.

Benefits

• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP)
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information
• Professional learning and development
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement
• Leadership and mentorship programs

What This Job Offers

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