Recruitment posting
Natural Resources Conservation Board
Competition #: 391
Ministry : Environment and Parks
Opening Date : 2017/02/15
closing Date : 2017/03/01
Role : Board Chair
It is recognized in Alberta as a fundamental principle and as a matter of public policy that all persons are equal. Diversity and inclusion are valued and supported on the boards of Alberta's public agencies.
The Minister of Environment and Parks is seeking applications from individuals interested in serving as a Board Chair of the Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB). There is one (1) vacancy to be filled
The Natural Resources Conservation Board was established in 1991 under the Natural Resources Conservation Board Act (NRCBA) to conduct impartial, arms-length, quasi-judicial reviews of proposed major non-energy natural resource projects in Alberta. In 2002, the NRCB was appointed the delegated authority for the delivery of the Agricultural Operation Practices Act (AOPA). The chair and board members are responsible for board governance, reviews under the NRCBA, and appeals under AOPA.
The NRCB’s operational divisions are led by the Chief Executive Officer and include regulatory responsibility for AOPA, Corporate Services, and Science & Technology staff. NRCB operations staff also provide scientific and technical support to the board for its review of NRCBA projects.
With offices in Edmonton, Calgary, Lethbridge, Red Deer, Morinville and Fairview, the NRCB delivers its mandate with a total complement of 42 positions that include the chair and two part time board members.
The NRCB reports to the Minister of Environment and Parks. It also reports to the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry for its delivery of the Agricultural Operation Practices Act. The NRCB is funded by Environment and Parks with a $6.5M annual grant.
Mission
As a quasi-judicial and regulatory agency, the NRCB makes impartial and knowledge-based decisions across two distinct mandates:
- Under the Natural Resources Conservation Board Act, the NRCB decides if natural resource projects are in the public interest, considering social, environmental and economic effects, and
- Under the Agricultural Operation Practices Act, the NRCB fulfills applications and compliance responsibilities, administers and advances policies, and conducts board reviews for confined feeding operations.
Vision
To be a respected decision-maker, exemplifying integrity and foresight in the best interests of Alberta.
Values
In achieving our mission, we honour the NRCB's core values of integrity, fairness, respect, excellence and service.
With accountability to the Minister of Environment and Parks, as well as to the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, the Chair will oversee the review of natural resource developments and the conduct of appeals of approval and compliance decisions under the Agricultural Operation Practices Act.
The Chair will provide leadership to the board and ensure that a fair and impartial review hearing and appeal process is provided for the benefit of Albertans. The Chair will oversee the conduct of hearings, lead a mediation program, provide leadership to board members and engage in public relations activities. The Chair is aware of the needs of the livestock industry, the economy and municipal issues within the context of sustainable development in Alberta.
Responsibilities include;
- Conducting fair and impartial mediation, preliminary meetings, hearings and appeals, in accordance with relevant legislation, principles of natural justice, procedural fairness and other associated legal principles.
- Leading a highly functioning tribunal that demonstrates strengths in the areas of its jurisdiction, adjudication processes and administrative law.
- Overseeing the day-to-day conduct of reviews and appeals and providing leadership to board members and staff recording and processing matters before the board.
- Approving and managing the budget of the board itself.
- Assigning board members to panels, providing training and evaluating performance.
- Providing corporate governance for the Natural Resources Conservation Board.
- Maintaining a strong and cooperative working relationship with the Chief Executive Officer.
- Participating in the formulation of policy and procedures related to the appeal process under Agricultural Operation Practices Act and the review process under the Natural Resources Conservation Board Act.
- Participating in the review and evaluation of legislation with a view to making recommendations for amendments to meet current conditions and circumstances.
- Building and maintaining constructive relationships with a broad group of internal and external stakeholders including the private sector, ministries, municipalities, public health authorities and other government agencies.
- Overseeing processes and practices to ensure uniformity in the procedural, administrative and judicial work of the board.
- Reviewing and evaluating the performance of the Chief Executive Officer in consultation with the deputy ministers of Sustainable Resource Development and Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.
- Managing legal counsel for the board.
- Performing public relations functions including speaking to municipal, environmental and industry groups; participating in awareness and educational functions; and attending provincial and national conferences and seminars.
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Participating as a member of the Sustainable Development Coordinating Council.
Senior leadership experience with strengths in administrative law and hearing processes.
Knowledge of principles of natural justice and the operation of quasi-judicial boards and hearings.
Understanding of Alberta's regulatory system as well as municipal planning, agricultural production, general environmental principles and the interaction of different jurisdictions.
Senior management experience with sound knowledge of management practices, performance measurement systems and team building techniques.
Ability to run a complex and challenging administrative hearing and mentor others on running such hearings.
Strong interpersonal, collaborative, decision-making abilities and well developed verbal and written communication skills.
Knowledge of the Natural Resources Conservation Board Act and the Agricultural Operation Practices Act.
Strong analytical skills and the ability to take complex information and diverse points of view into consideration in making sound decisions.
Demonstrated problem solving skills and abilities to respond to contentious, controversial issues within highly political environments.
Background in mediation would be an asset.
Related university degree preferably at the graduate level is required.
The expected demands of this role will require an 80% work week. Remuneration/honorarium is under review but is anticipated to offer an annual salary range of $156,257 - $217,589, dependent on candidate qualifications.
The Chair is located in either Edmonton or Calgary.
Public hearings are held near the site of the proposed project and travel is involved.
Interested parties can contact Boyden Global Executive Search at (403) 410-6700 or albertaopportunities@boyden.com.
Carefully read the Recruitment Posting and the Position Profile to ensure this is an appropriate opportunity for you. Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements.
Online applications are preferred. To apply, click on the 'apply' button, create or sign into your account in the ePAAS system; upload your resume, view the listing under Current Opportunities and click on 'submit application'. The uploaded resume will be automatically attached.
Provide a short (maximum 200 words) biography using the Biography template found under additional documents section. Your biography should contain general information about your education, experience, community involvement, skills, etc. Please note that biographies may be edited for length and clarity.
Once your biography and other required form(s) are completed, save it to your PC. When you hit 'submit application', you will be prompted to upload additional documents. Drag and drop (or upload) your completed cover letter, biography and other form(s) into the 'Drop files below or click to upload' section before clicking the 'apply' button.
If you are unable to apply online, please submit a cover letter and resume, quoting the recruitment posting competition number, to the contact provided on the posting. We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to assess which candidates' qualifications most closely match the agency's requirements. Only those selected for interviews will be contacted to advance to the next step in the appointment process. You can check the status of each competition on-line at https://www.alberta.ca/public-agencies.cfm.
All potential candidates will be screened for potential conflicts of interest. Please Note: Successful applicants will have the following information about them made publicly available on the Public Agency Secretariat Website: name, biography, public agency, and position title.