Recruitment posting

Alberta Energy Regulator- Hearing Commission

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 Energy is seeking applications from individuals interested in serving as a Hearing Commissioners of Alberta Energy Regulator (AER).

The Alberta Energy Regulator ensures the safe, efficient, orderly, and environmentally responsible development of hydrocarbon resources in Alberta. This includes allocating and conserving water resources, managing public lands, and protecting the environment while providing economic benefits for all Albertans.The AER provides full life-cycle regulatory oversight of energy resource development; from application and construction to abandonment and reclamation, and everything in between.

For over 75 years, Alberta’s oil and gas regulator has adapted to meet innovations in technology, new industry activity, and changing societal expectations. The AER is building on this foundation and preparing the province for the next era in energy regulation.

Hearing commissioners are responsible for the AER’s adjudicative functions, acting as the decision-makers on applications referred to them by the AER. They conduct all hearings on energy applications and regulatory appeals, conduct public inquiries and other types of proceedings and facilitate alternative dispute resolution on matters referred to them by the AER. The hearing commissioners are also involved in developing the organization’s hearing procedures and rules.

• Hearing commissioners interpret and apply the Responsible Energy Development Act  (REDA) and other statutes and regulatory instruments administered by the AER in the performance of their adjudicative and alternative dispute resolution functions;
• Hearing commissioners are independent adjudicators, and their decisions may only be reviewed by the Court of Appeal of Alberta.
  
  

The Minister is looking for full-time and part-time hearing commissioners with:

• Understanding of the principles of administrative law and their application
• Experience presiding over or participating in public hearings
• Experience designing and leading alternative dispute resolution processes (facilitation, mediation, arbitration)
• Understanding of the mandate of the AER and relevant energy and environment legislation
• Understanding of and open to the interests and issues of landowners and other stakeholders, including relevant case law
• Understanding of and open to the interests and issues of Indigenous communities, including relevant case law
• Understanding of energy industry operations (exploration, production, transportation)
• Technical training and experience in the engineering or geoscience disciplines
• Technical training and experience in environmental sciences and environmental management (air, land, water)
• Aptitude for adjudication including fairness, good listening skills, open mindedness, sound judgement, tact and the ability to interpret legislation
• Ability to organize and analyze complex evidence (written and oral)
• Good writing skills – an ability to write clear, well-reasoned decisions that take into account the evidence, law and policy
  
  

Under REDA section 11 (1), the Lieutenant Governor in Council is responsible for establishing a roster of hearing commissioners and determining the compensation for each new appointee.

• Full-time hearing commissioners receive a salary of $187, 237 per year, subject to the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council. The salary of the AER’s full-time hearing commissioners is aligned with the Government of Alberta’s schedule of salaries for senior employees (Range C).

• Part-time hearing commissioners receive a base salary of $25,000 and an additional amount of $750 per day for the time necessarily spent in performance of duties as a hearing commissioner, subject to the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

• Full-time hearing commissioners work out of the AER’s Calgary or Edmonton offices and work full-time hours. Part-time hearing commissioners may reside anywhere in Alberta and work hours that vary depending upon the number and nature of the files to which they are assigned.

• Hearing commissioners are required to travel to Calgary and various other locations in the province where hearing commissioners activities occur. Travel is required for both full-time and part-time hearing commissioners.

In addition to your cover letter and resume, we require a biography. Click HERE to download form.

Once your biography is 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 ready to take a leadership role in ensuring a positive future for Albertans, please contact Boyden’s Calgary office at 403-410-6700 or forward your resume and related materials to the posting on the Alberta Government Public Agency opportunities portal.

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.

Alberta Energy Regulator

Responsible Energy Development Act