Job Title: Project Manager, Ag Water Management

Location: Various Options

Division: Ag Water Management

Short Description: Civil Engineer (Water Management)

Reporting to the Executive Director, Saskatchewan Conservation and Development Association Inc (SCDA), an employee in this job will work directly with challenging stakeholders, coordinate professional and technical staff, and advance solutions to address strategic agricultural water resource management objectives across the province. The prime focus of this position is to achieve regulatory approval for all agricultural drainage occurring within Saskatchewan, working together with legal (counsel), consultants (engineering, etc.), agricultural landowners, municipalities, Qualified Persons, and various agencies and associations. Approval is achieved via approval with Water Security Agency (WSA). Rapidly understanding core issues, proposing and assessing logical, innovative, and viable options, and mobilizing applicable resources and staff to address the core issues and barriers to achieving approval in any situation or location is the need and challenge associated with this position.

Other Reporting Relationships (work is formally carried out for):

There is a need for regular communication and collaboration with the SCDA Ag Water Management Team and the Executive Director.

Additionally, there will be a high degree of working relationship and coordination with applicable WSA Rural Water Services staff in Moose Jaw, Regina, and regional locations as required, toward the resolution of any approval file.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

45% Manage issues by making initial contact and building effective relationships with stakeholders (many of whom may be in various degrees of conflict with each others and WSA), in order to rapidly understand core issues, propose and assess logical, innovative, and viable options, and mobilize applicable SCDA staff or consultants to address the core issues and barriers to achieving approvals in any situation or location. Provide expertise to professional, technical and support staff within the SCDA, ensuring required activities are provided in a timely and efficient manner; prioritize, assign and review work and assignments for accuracy and completeness; ensure staff project a positive corporate image at all times and in all venues. Manage contracts and contracted services as required, particularly involving the formation of a Conservation and Development Area Authority (C&D – among private agricultural landowners) or the formation of a Watershed Management Board (WA – among corporate agencies). Working with either of these parties involves extensive discussions with potential partners, the identification of key lead individuals who can drive organization formation and build stakeholder interest, and then intensive support and collaboration with these parties toward eventual formation under the auspices of either The Conservation and Development Act or The Watershed Associations Act.

35% Within the applicable situation or location, manage arising issues by working collaboratively with the SCDA Ag Water Management Team, Executive Director, any other staff and consultants with in the SCDA to implement the strategic plan, involving the issuance of agricultural water management approvals, and associated activities regarding water disputes, unlicensed drainage activities. For each file, detailed background, options, analysis, and recommendations will be required for consideration by SCDA Board.

15% Plan and participate in stakeholder and public meetings to receive and transmit applicable program and policy information – working collaboratively with the WSA, receive and coordinate response to challenging legal questions via SCDA Legal counsel; ensure effective and consistent public consultation; and ensure proposed solution options are effective and efficient in managing, coordinating and evaluating the delivery of SCDA programs and initiatives. Work to ensure engagement activities are open and transparent to all stakeholders involved in any particular file, while understanding and respecting the importance of consistent messaging from SCDA as a whole.

5% Interpret and disseminate information on Conservation and Development Act, Watershed Associations Act, The Water Security Agency Act, Environmental Management and Protection Act, along with all other relevant Acts and Regulations (e.g. The Statements of Provincial Interest Regulations, WSA Regulation, C&D Regulation, WA Act Regulation, applicable Federal Acts, etc.), and related regulations and policy as they relate to water resource management and regulatory approval.

5% Participate in team assignments to formulate and/or modify legislation, regulations or program changes; and undertake other special assignments or projects as assigned.

Educational and Experience Requirements and Technical Qualifications:

Post-Secondary Degree Engineering Civil required, other assets include: Environmental Science, Natural Resources Management, and certification in Project Management.

Amount of experience typically required in this job to become fully competent, assuming both the education level required, and the prior experiences are present – 2 years.

Extensive knowledge of LIDAR, HEC-RAS (1D/2 D Modelling) ESRI GIS, Water Resources, Hydraulics/Hydrology additional skills: Drone Piloting and RTK Surveying. Planning fieldwork and processing data.

Job Complexities/Challenges:

Know How:

This employee requires extensive knowledge and skill and broad water resource management experience. This is a management position requiring thorough technical, administrative and supervisory expertise and a demonstrated ability to apply a high degree of judgement and discretion in a variety of situations. The employee requires command of applicable theory and principles in the water management field. This includes knowledge of agricultural water management, ecosystem function, farm economics, municipal infrastructure, decision-making, and proactive stakeholder relations/communications. There is often a need to establish consensus and to build effective partnerships among stakeholders and others within the regions, necessitating a high level of proven and effective stakeholder communication and engagement experience. Fostering cooperation with other agencies and individuals is critical to achieving corporate priorities toward the advancement of regulatory approval solutions within specific situations or locations.

This position requires extensive knowledge and skill in project management and demonstrated ability to lead complex projects to rapidly understand, assess, and address the core issues and barriers to achieving approval. Working with others involves understanding, tact and motivation skills. This position requires a well-developed understanding of human behaviour, perceptions, motivations, and those factors that influence or cause behaviour change -to build and maintain effective working relationships across the province with SCDA members and WSA staff as a whole, so that applicable SCDA staff and consultants can be readily mobilized as required. This requires strong leadership, encouragement, and support of staff. This work is complex and requires a sound understanding of science, stakeholder perceptions, and the economic realities of modern agriculture.

Problem Solving:

Problems are difficult and complex, requiring the application of specific professional discipline practices and principles. In this environment, this employee determines what needs to be done considering established corporate objectives and must consider all possible courses of action and the resultant consequences before reaching a decision. The evaluation of choices and determination of solutions must blend business needs to efficiently support business functions within established budget limitations. Organization, planning and recommendations for the highest and best use of SCDA resources are of significant importance.

Accountability:

This position is permitted wide discretion working under general direction. The position will be the first front line contact for many members and the public as priority approval issues arise. A high degree of accountability for the quality and accuracy of work performed, advice provided and implications arising from member interactions both individually and for the SCDA is expected. The position must be able to provide leadership to ensure program objectives are met recognizing availability of resources, budget limitations, and established priorities.

The position will be expected to act as a SCDA representative on specific issues and in specific situations and locations as they arise.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed in both field and office settings. Work performed in the field environment can occur in a variety of weather climates and conditions. Regular travel is required. Dealing with difficult, complex situations, angry members and/or controversial/political issues is required.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: $86,390.00-$90,565.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental care
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Vision care

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Saskatoon, SK: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree (required)

Experience:

• Project management: 2 years (preferred)

Work Location: One location

Application deadline: 2023-01-02
Expected start date: 2023-01-05

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