Recruitment posting
Natural Resources Conservation Board
Competition #: 452
Ministry : Environment and Parks
Opening Date :
closing Date :
Role : Part time Board Members and Acting Board Members
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 either a Part-Time Board Member or an Acting Board Member of the Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB). There are two (2) Part-Time vacancies and two (2) Acting vacancies.
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 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.
As a Board Member you will provide a fair and impartial hearing and appeal process and deliver timely, sound decisions to resolve matters before the board. As a panel hearing member, you will complete extensive file preparation; review, weigh and address evidence and submissions; and prepare written decisions.
The primary function of the Board Member is to participate in public hearings as one of three panel members. Travel is involved as public hearings are held near the proposed project.
Responsibilities include:
- Participating in regular board meetings to provide overall governance, address procedural decisions, and consider requests for reviews under AOPA.
- Conducting fair and impartial meetings, hearings and appeals, in accordance with relevant legislation, principals of natural justice, and procedural fairness.
- Participating in a highly functioning tribunal that demonstrates strengths in the areas of its jurisdiction, adjudication processes and administrative law.
- Maintaining expertise in the various disciplines that must be considered by the board, without conflict of interest in regard to the decisions being made.
- Acting as Panel Chair as required.
- Acting as board sponsor for various technical committees.
- Participating in various inter-governmental and industry meetings and conferences.
- Taking an active role in communicating board activities to the public and other stakeholders.
Meeting as required to consider broad policy issues and matters related to corporate governance.
Senior leadership experience, technical and scientific expertise, and practical knowledge in the areas of agriculture, natural science, engineering, resource economics, law, or social sciences at a recognized professional level.
Sound understanding of Alberta's regulatory system and the issues facing natural resources with working knowledge of related legislation.
Understanding of administrative law or hearing processes, including knowledge of principles of natural justice and the operation of quasi-judicial boards and hearings, with the ability to chair hearings.
The ability to act in an open minded, fair and unbiased manner, with sensitivity to current issues.
A recognized, proven ability to analyze, mediate, and recommend sound, consistent decisions based on complex problems and varying points of view.
Strong interpersonal, collaborative, decision-making abilities and well developed verbal, listening and written communication skills.
Demonstrated problem solving skills to respond to contentious, controversial issues within highly political environments.
Sound knowledge of management practices and team building techniques.
Experience in roles involving boards, committees and governance, and policy and legislation development would be an asset.
Related post-secondary education, preferably at the graduate degree level.
The expected demands of this role will require a 60% workweek. Part-time members are remunerated pursuant to Schedule 2 Base Salary of the Reform of Agencies, Boards and Commissions Compensation Act Order in Council 068/2017 and offers an annual salary of $78,081.
An acting member is compensated based on Schedule 1, Part A, Committee Remuneration Order (O.C. 466/2007) at the following rates:
- $164 for up to and including four hours in any day, or
- $290 for over four hours and up to and including eight hours in any day, or
- $427 for over eight hours in any day, spent on the business of the committee.
Part-time members are located in either Edmonton or Calgary. Honoraria is subject to review.
Public hearings are held near the site of the proposed project and travel is involved.
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 can contact Boyden global executive search at (403) 410-6700 and are requested to submit a personal resume and any related materials in complete confidence to albertaopportunities@boyden.com.
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 http://alberta.ca/public-agencies.cfm.
All potential board members 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, public agency and position appointed to, appointment term and remuneration received.
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, position appointed to.