Operations & Maintenance Technologist

Government of Alberta•Spruce Grove, AB

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation is responsible for policies, legislation, regulations, programs, and services that enable Alberta’s agriculture and food sectors to flourish and contribute to Alberta’s economic recovery and growth. The ministry’s role is diverse, ranging from food safety and industry growth and diversification to increasing investment and supporting growth in rural Alberta. The Water Infrastructure and Operations Branch is part of the Primary Agriculture Division within the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation. This branch owns and operates a portfolio of more than 200 dams and other water management infrastructure projects/systems with a total replacement value over $12 billion. The portfolio includes 70 dams, approximately 535 kilometers of canals, headworks/diversion structures, dykes, and flood control structures. This role is critical to the ongoing safe and efficient operation, maintenance, and inspection of large, complex, and high-risk provincially owned water infrastructure, including Paddle River Dam and other projects across a broader geographical area. This infrastructure varies significantly in scale and complexity, encompassing dams, canals, lake outlet works, and lake stabilization infrastructure. Each of these assets requires sophisticated, proactive operational oversight to ensure optimal performance, regulatory compliance, and public safety.

Requirements

Experience with operation and maintenance of water management infrastructure (dams, canals, and other water regulating structures such as lake stabilisation outlet structures or other related civil infrastructure.
Experience with data management and control systems such as SCADA.
Experience in the field conducting, inspections, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
Ability to supervise contractors, perform survey, estimate maintenance activities and ensure operational compliance in a similar operational or maintenance environment.
Two-year technical diploma in a related field or trade School Certification plus two years related experience; or equivalent.
Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of: 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.
Related diplomas including but not limited to: Civil or Mechanical Engineering Technology, Construction Management, Project management and Contract Administration, Water Resources Management, Millwright, Power Engineer.

Nice To Haves

Mechanical / Electrical experience is an asset.
Experience in the operation, inspection and maintenance of civil infrastructure including: Dams, canals, dykes, erosion control works, and related infrastructure.
Practical knowledge of instrumentation, electrical, and mechanical systems associated with water infrastructure, including motorized gate operators, actuators and hoisting mechanisms.
Working knowledge of SCADA – Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems for remote monitoring.

Responsibilities

Assists, directs and/or performs repair and maintenance activities on the infrastructure (dams, canals, dykes, drainage systems, etc.) and related mechanical/electrical control equipment.
Participates in the development of on-site preventative maintenance programs.
Participates in the planning and implementation of regular routine maintenance and major capital rehabilitation of water management infrastructure as required.
Identify repair requirements, procure the resources required for the repairs and coordinate on-site staff and/or contractors in the repair.
Complete required scheduled inspections to determine changing site conditions, structural conditions and maintenance requirements.
Inspects canals, rivers, dykes, drainage systems, reservoirs, dam structures, and equipment to ensure functionality and to identify maintenance requirements.
Participates in monitoring and accurately reporting downstream impacts from major flows.
Completes operational adjustments to maintain required water flow and reservoir/lake levels as outlined by operating plans, guidelines, calculations, and supervisor input.
Participates in the on-site Workplace Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Program in accordance with the Department's Health and Safety policy, and to meet legislative requirements under the OH&S Act, Regulations, Code, and all other applicable Acts and Regulations.
Participates in the review, update, and exercise of Emergency Preparedness Plans and Emergency Response Plans for various dam sites as required.
Participates in surveillance programs along with a standby/on-call rotation for the critical infrastructure systems as required.