Environmental & Regulatory Advisor III

NES Fircroft is a leading global technical recruitment company providing professional contract and permanent staff to a diverse worldwide client base within the oil & gas industry.
 
Job Title: Environment & Regulatory Advisor – Groundwater
Location: Calgary, AB based with travel to Cold Lake, AB
Length: 1 Year (with potential extension)
Rotation: Monday - Friday
 
Role Summary
We are seeking an experienced Environment & Regulatory Advisor – Groundwater to support Cold Lake Operations (CLO). This role provides senior-level technical and regulatory expertise for groundwater management in in situ operations and acts as the groundwater subject matter expert (SME) within the Sustainability North organization.
 
The position leads groundwater programs, major regulatory approvals, technical assessments, and ongoing compliance obligations. It plays a critical role in regulatory strategy, program execution, and engagement with regulators, Indigenous communities, and local stakeholders. The role ensures compliance with EPEA, the Water Act, Waste, Dam Safety, and internal corporate requirements.
 
Key Responsibilities:
 
Groundwater Technical Leadership

• Serve as the Groundwater SME for Cold Lake Operations within the Sustainability North organization.
• Lead operational groundwater monitoring programs, including casing failure investigations, shale anomaly assessments, GEW baseline programs, and low-pressure steaming pad monitoring.
• Provide technical interpretation, oversight, and recommendations for groundwater datasets, aquifer evaluations, potable water sampling, and soil and water sampling programs.

Regulatory Compliance & Reporting

• Lead annual regulatory reporting under EPEA, Water Act, and Waste approvals.
• Develop, review, and submit technical and regulatory documents, including:
  • Record of Site Condition (RoSC)
  • Remedial Management Plans (RMP)
  • Remedial Action Plans (RAP)
  • Conceptual Site Models (CSM)
  • Groundwater Management Reports (GMR)
  • Water Act Annual Reports
• Manage regulatory interfaces with the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) and other agencies, including clarifications, amendments, submissions, and technical meetings.
• Support Dam Safety regulatory obligations, including lagoon commissioning, Dam Safety Regulation (DSR) contributions, and amendment applications.

Program Coordination & Execution

• Manage long-scope groundwater programs, including budget development, consultant scope management, and internal coordination across multiple functional teams (e.g., CMP, WWMP, E&PS, Advisian).
• Review and approve work orders, scopes of work, sampling plans, and consultant deliverables.
• Oversee Thermal Mobilization program requirements, including pad screening, receptor evaluations, groundwater well design, and associated regulatory submissions.

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

• Support socioeconomic and Indigenous engagement related to groundwater and contaminated sites.
• Prepare and deliver plain-language technical presentations on groundwater topics to Indigenous groups and local communities.

Role Scope

• Provides senior technical leadership and regulatory stewardship for groundwater programs supporting in situ operations.
• Ensures compliance with provincial regulations, approval conditions, and corporate standards.
• Coordinates multi-disciplinary internal teams and external consultants to deliver complex groundwater programs.
• Influences regulatory, technical, and risk-based decisions with a high degree of independence and accountability.

Qualifications

• University degree in Hydrogeology, Geoscience, Environmental Engineering, Earth Sciences, or a related discipline.
• 7+ years of experience in groundwater monitoring, regulatory compliance, or environmental program management (in situ oil sands experience preferred).
• Strong working knowledge of Alberta’s regulatory framework, including EPEA, Water Act, Dam Safety, Waste, and applicable AER directives.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting groundwater datasets and authoring or reviewing technical reports.
• Excellent communication skills, with proven ability to engage regulators and explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with operations, engineering, technical specialists, consultants, and regulatory bodies.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple complex programs and recurring regulatory deadlines.

 
Apply here or send your resume to dilly.ohuegbe@nesfircroft.com

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.