Resource Engineer (Engineer 4)

About Us

Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change has a mandate to support a clean and healthy environment, protect land, advance a clean economy, address the climate crisis, and guide the province towards a sustainable and clean future where all Nova Scotians can thrive.

We do this through legislation, regulation, enforcement, and programs, with a focus on client service, regulatory excellence, diversity, equity, inclusion, and partnership. To accomplish this mandate, we need leaders at all levels of the organization who embrace a challenge, are solution-oriented, and believe in their ability to make a difference.
 
For more information, please visit https://novascotia.ca/nse/.

About Our Opportunity

Our team in the Sustainability and Applied Science Division is looking for a Resource Engineer to play a critical role in ensuring sustainable development in Nova Scotia.  

As the division’s engineering specialist, you will focus on environmental protection relating to: mining, resource development, industrial processes, and contaminants as identified in the Environment Act and associated regulations administered by the Department.

Primary Accountabilities

Within this role, you can also expect to:

• Lead departmental projects and programs
• Lead and innovate in the development of regulatory amendments, standards, guidelines, policies and procedures and internal training tools to support government priorities.
• Provide technical expertise in reviewing technical reports and submissions received in support of regulatory requirements for industrial projects including Environmental Assessment
• Think critically using your engineering education and experience to give advice that is practical, correct, and considers both technical and socioeconomic impacts.
• Communicate effectively to a broad range of audiences as you collaborate with public stakeholders, industry associations, or national or provincial committees on resource related issues
• Engage and mentor staff, fostering a team that encourages innovation and growth.
• Participate in inter-departmental committees to provide support and advice regarding mining, natural resource development, operations, and reclamation/remediation.
• Assist other divisions to ensure compliance with departmental legislation through the review of data submitted as a requirement of approvals.
• Reporting to the manager of Resource Management Unit the Resource Engineer may work individually or as part of a team to apply principals of science, engineering, public health protection, and public policy analysis to develop regulatory programming and support resource development and industrial processes in Nova Scotia. 
  
  

Qualifications and Experience

The successful candidate will hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering and a minimum of 6 years related industry experience in mining and resource development. You must also be registered (or eligible for registration) with Engineers Nova Scotia as Licensed to Practice.  

Candidates must demonstrate the following key qualifications related to experience and knowledge in their application.  

As the successful candidate you will have extensive and current industry experience in mining, resource development and emerging technologies; mineral processing; designing of mine workings which include evaluation and mitigation for acid rock drainage and metal leaching, tailings management facilities, selecting or assessing design standards for cap and liners, soil classification, material stockpiles, and processing facilities.

You will have in-depth knowledge and experience in risk management for contaminants as well as knowledge of reclamation/remediation practices.

In addition to the above technical aspects, the following will also be essential to this role:

• Strong communication (verbal and written) skills
• The ability to lead and engage work teams
• Experience in project management
• Sound judgment when dealing with people and ambiguous situations
  
  

Assets

The following will be considered assets:
 

• Extensive knowledge and experience with the Canadian Dam Safety Guidelines and the Mining Association of Canada document entitled “Development of an Operations,
• Maintenance and Surveillance Manual for Tailings and Water Management Facilities”.
• Knowledge of departmental legislation, regulations, standards; as well as demonstrated ability to interpret regulations, develop/modernize regulations, policies and analytical reports.
• Knowledge/experience with fate and transport modelling, aquatic effects monitoring, adaptive management, contingency plans, and emergency response.
• Proficiency with standard Microsoft office software, computer modelling skills including Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and computer aided drafting (CAD)
• Project management skills.
• Knowledge and experience with chemical processes and interactions in the environment.
• National and international best practices, jurisdictional scans, incorporate into practices and guidelines.
• Mining Certification of Canada, in good standing.
  
  

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.  For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

What We Offer

• Career development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career
• Engaging workplace: our employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths
• Department specific flexible working schedules