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 the Chief Hearing Commissioner of the 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; and
• Are independent adjudicators, and their decisions may only be reviewed by the Court of Appeal of Alberta.

The Chief Hearing Commissioner:

• Provides leadership to hearing commissioners and staff and is responsible for the management of the Hearings Branch including the Hearing Commissioners’ Office and Hearing Services;
• Provides information to the AER Board of Directors and ensures an adequate interface with the AER CEO and organization;
• Ensures that proceedings conducted and decisions made by hearing commissioners are viewed as procedurally fair, transparent, independent, legally correct and adhering to the requirements of natural justice;
• Ensures hearing commissioners discharge their adjudicative responsibilities and conduct all AER proceedings fairly, expeditiously and in accordance with the public interest and the requirements of administrative law;
• Ensures that hearing commissioners have appropriate professional development opportunities; and
• Chairs and/or participates on panels at hearings and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) proceedings, makes decisions, and issues written decisions on energy related activities.

In exercising these duties, the Chief Hearing Commissioner must consider those factors prescribed by the Responsible Energy Development Act and its regulations, including the social, environmental and economic effects of a project.

The Minister is looking for a Chief Hearing Commissioner 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);
• Exceptional communication skills (written and oral); and
• Good writing skills – an ability to write clear, well-reasoned decisions that take into account the evidence, law and policy.

Experience working with Indigenous communities would be considered an asset.

Under REDA section 11(1), the Lieutenant Governor in Council is responsible for establishing a roster of hearing commissioners consisting of a Chief Hearing Commissioner and other such individuals as required, and determining the compensation for each new appointee.

This position is subject to the principles outlined in the Reform of Agencies, Boards, and Commissions Act and its regulations and will be subject to any future changes to the Act and regulations.

Compensation is set by the Base Salary Schedule at Level 4 ($184,365 - $249,435).

Information on compensation and benefits can be found here: https://www.alberta.ca/abc-compensation.aspx#toc-1.

Annual public disclosure of compensation and the contract of employment are required for this position.

The Chief Hearing Commissioner works out of the AER’s Calgary or Edmonton offices and works full-time hours.

The Chief Hearing Commissioner is required to travel to Edmonton, Calgary and various other locations in the province where hearing commissioner activities occur.

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.

If you are ready to take a leadership role in ensuring a positive future for Albertans, please send related materials to the posting on the Alberta Government Public Agency opportunities portal, 

Susan Cassidy, People, Culture, and Learning Branch, Corporate Services

Alberta Energy Regulator

Suite 1012, Centennial Place, 250 - 5th Street SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2P 0R4

susan.cassidy@aer.ca      (403) 662 3975 

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 4 line biography using the Biography template found under additional documents section. Your biography should include your name, current work experience, board/committee experience and relevant education. 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

Responisble Energy Development Act