Recruitment posting
_Generic Recruitment Posting (EP)
Competition #: 443
Ministry : Environment and Parks
Opening Date : 2017/07/19
closing Date : 2017/08/09
Role : Member
The Minister of Environment and Parks is seeking applications from individuals interested in service as a Part-Time Board Member of the Surface Rights Board and Land Compensation Board. Multiple vacancies are to be filled.
The Surface Rights and Land Compensation Boards conduct dispute resolution proceedings and hearings with the aim towards timely, fair and effective resolution of applications.
The Surface Rights Board is a quasi-judicial tribunal established by the Surface Rights Act operating at arm’s length from Alberta Environment and Parks. The Act applies to a number of operations including pipelines and major power transmission lines, as well as the exploration and development of oil, gas and coal. The SRB assists landowners/occupants and operators to resolve disputes about:
- Right of entry for resource activity and power transmission lines and the setting of associated compensation;
- Review of annual compensation under a surface lease or compensation order;
- Damages related to disputes between operators and landowners/occupants who are parties to a surface lease or right of entry order; and
- Recovery of compensation where money payable under a compensation order or surface lease has not been paid and the due date for its payment has passed.
The Land Compensation Board is a quasi-judicial tribunal established by the Expropriation Act operating at arm’s length from Alberta Environment and Parks. The LCB conducts alternate dispute resolution proceedings and hearings regarding compensation payable to landowners and tenants where land has been expropriated by an authority and the parties cannot agree. It may also determine whether an expropriation should proceed when there is an objection.
The Boards are bound by legislation, principles of natural justice, and procedural fairness; however, discretion and judgment must be exercised within this context. Board decisions are subject to appeal and judicial review. Board activities are vital to the affected stakeholders and, accordingly, receive public scrutiny. Principal legislation applying to these roles includes the Surface Rights Act, Expropriation Act, and their respective general regulations. Other related legislation used and administered includes but is not limited to:
- Administrative Procedures and Jurisdiction Act
- Alberta Land Stewardship Act
- Drainage Districts Act
- Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act
- Financial Administration Act
- Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
- Government Accountability Act
- Historical Resources Act
- Hydro and Electric Energy Act
- Irrigation Districts Act
- Land Titles Act
- Law of Property Act
- Municipal Government Act
- Pipeline Act
- Public Inquiries Act
- Public Lands Act
- Public Service Act
- Railway (Alberta) Act
- Rural Electrification Revolving Fund Act
- Rural Gas Act
- School Act
- Water, Gas and Electric Companies Act
- Water Resources Act
Promoting impartial and transparent proceedings, Board Members will chair hearings, facilitate decision-making and prepare written decisions to deliver fair and consistent decisions on disputes arising between landowners, operators and expropriating authorities. Board Members are recognized collaborators and skilled consensus builders. Board Members will also conduct alternate dispute resolution proceedings to assist parties in reaching mutual agreements.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
- Adjudicating and facilitating mediations, pre-hearing dispute resolution conferences, and hearings arising from disputes between landowners and operators or expropriating authorities.
- Applying and interpreting complex information presented at hearings into findings of fact in order to render sound and impartial decisions regarding compensation and related issues such as jurisdiction and procedural fairness, based on the evidence provided at the hearing and the relevant legislation.
- Producing written decisions with sufficient reasons in a timely manner in order to facilitate the effective and efficient resolution of issues before the Board.
- Participating in necessary decision making meetings to ensure appropriate consistency with previous Board decisions and application of the legislation.
- Developing a good understanding, interpretation and application of the prevailing legislation.
- Obtaining a solid understanding of Board processes, issues, jurisdiction and administrative law.
- Dealing with complex matters, expert witnesses and the public in a professional and courteous manner, with an aim to provide opportunities for the parties to reach mutually-agreeable settlements.
- Providing all participants with a hearing environment that is perceived by all participants to be fair and based on principles of natural justice.
- Developing and maintaining positive, effective working relationships with all Board Members and staff.
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Participating in continuing professional development, which includes strategic planning of the Boards and the development of policy and procedures related to the work of the Boards.
- Experience applying the rules of natural justice and the ability to be fair, impartial, objective and open minded, in order to support the purpose of the Boards.
- Related experience with an understanding of administrative law, quasi-judicial hearing processes, and the interpretation and application of legislation and policy.
- 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 politically sensitive environments.
- The ability to articulate views in discussions along with well-developed decision writing and editing skills.
- The ability to respond to ongoing pressure related to the nature and volume of applications before the Boards, as well as the litigious environment in which the Boards operate.
- Demonstrated capacity in and commitment to team building.
- Familiarity with public land and natural resource regulatory systems, surface rights and land compensation issues, along with experience in mediation would be an asset.
- Mediation training or experience is an asset.
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Computer skills required to organize, interpret and present information. Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Word is essential.
Part-time members are appointed by Order-in-Council upon a fixed term basis with an opportunity for renewal. Part-time members attend approximately 2 board meetings per year and act on an ‘on-call’ basis for a busy but flexible hearing schedule.
Hearings occur throughout the province, usually at locations that also have a Provincial Court building including: Calgary; Edmonton; Grande Prairie; Lethbridge; Medicine Hat; Wainwright; and Red Deer. Board Members are expected to be able to travel across Alberta to such locations.
PART-TIME BOARD MEMBERS
- Part-Time Members are required to be available approximately 8-10 days per month to fulfil the major responsibilities of the role.
- Remuneration is in accordance with Schedule 1, Part A of the Committee Remuneration Order (Order in Council 466/2007. The rates are as followed. All honoraria is subject to review:
A member of a committee, other than the chair shall be paid
(a) $164 for up to and including four hours in any day, or
(b) $290 for over four hours and up to and including eight hours in any day, or
(c) $427 for over eight hours in any day, spent on the business of the committee.
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Board Member expense reimbursement is in accordance with the Travel Meals and Hospitality Expenses Policy.
In addition to your cover letter and resume, we require a biography. Click HERE to download form.
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.
Interested parties are requested to contact Boyden’s Calgary office at 403-410-6700 or forward your resume and related materials in complete confidence to the posting on the Alberta Government Public Agency opportunities portal, www.alberta.ca/public-agency-opportunities.cfm.
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Calgary, Alberta
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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.