JOB INFORMATION

Job Requisition ID: JR 72088
Ministry: Agriculture and Irrigation
Location: Lethbridge
Full or Part-Time: Full-Time
Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week
Permanent/Temporary: Permanent
Scope: Open Competition
Closing Date: July 25, 2025
Classification: 126TN Technologist 5
Salary: $2,513.34 to $3,310.25 bi-weekly ($65,347.00 - $86,067.00/year)
This role will function within the Natural Resources Analysis Section and specifically the Agro-Meteorology Unit. The AgMet unit is responsible for maintaining a network of more than 195 climate monitoring stations in Alberta. As well as managing the data for more than 500 stations from multiple agencies across the province. Timely and accurate data reporting is critical for crop insurance, flood and weather forecasting, monitoring and reporting on severe weather conditions, evaluation of water supply outlook conditions, irrigation scheduling, research, and support to a diverse range of private and public needs. The meteorological data is used by government agencies, non-government organizations, and agri-business for major environmental and economic decision-making.
The position will be based out of Lethbridge, in the heart of Southern Alberta. A vibrant Agriculture region will rural and urban amenities for all ages.

APS COMPETENCIES

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.
This link will assist you with understanding competencies:

About Your Competencies:

• Agility: Liaise with internal and external stakeholders, seeking support as required, and educating on climate information service in various areas within the province.
• Build Collaborative Environments: Share learnings within the Ag-Met unit, identifying unique and challenging scenarios of the season to determine a series of solutions for future issues.
• Systems Thinking: Precision of calibration affects the long-term use of climate data collected, considering options to solve anticipated issues and identify the unintended impact on other sensors.
• Creative Problem Solving: Review reports, dissect issues into smaller parts, and call on colleagues to share perspectives and solutions, contribute ideas for improving processes and adapt the existing practice to identify new solutions.
• Drive for Results: Consider the implications of responsibility for maintaining stations, anticipating issues or complications and planning accordingly.

QUALIFICATIONS

Two-year technical diploma in a related field (e.g. electronics, instrumentation, environmental monitoring) plus four years related experience; or equivalent as described below.
Equivalency: Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of: 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:

• Knowledge of electronic principles and the ability to use multi-meters and other tools to troubleshoot and isolate problematic components of a meteorological station.
• Knowledge and experience with Data Collection Platforms, telemetry, calibration and monitoring equipment.
• Experience with installation, maintenance and troubleshooting of environmental monitoring equipment.
• Mechanics or construction experience to maintain and install stations and their components.
• Experience with operation and maintenance of a wide range of equipment (such as lawnmowers, generators, trimmers, trailers, assorted tools and hand devices).
• Computer skills for interfacing with station components (loggers, telemetry, instrumentation), maintaining and updating station meta data. Experience with standard Microsoft Office software is required.
• A valid Class 5 Drivers’ Licence and clean drivers abstract.
• Ability to work long hours from April to October and occasionally remain out of town for up to 4 nights.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to a Senior Agro-meteorological Technologist, this position supports managing, maintaining, and installing drought and climate monitoring stations in Southern Alberta. This network provides data conforming to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC) standards.
Timely and accurate data reporting is critical for crop insurance, flood and weather forecasting, monitoring and reporting on severe weather conditions, evaluation of water supply outlook conditions, irrigation scheduling, research, and support to a diverse range of private and public needs. The meteorological data is used by government agencies, non-government organizations, and agri-business for major environmental and economic decision-making. Additionally, this data underpins Alberta Financial Services Corporation’s (AFSC) moisture deficiency crop insurance programs. All the data and many derivative products from Alberta’s meteorological networks can be found on the Alberta Climate Information service at www.weatherdata.ca.
If you love to be outdoors and boots to the ground, this role will keep you busy as you will be responsible to maintain approximately 35 weather stations to ensure production of a continuous meteorological data set that meets rigorous established standards.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ROLE INCLUDE:

• The operation, maintenance, and installation of the Ministry’s real-time meteorological network, including coordination and autonomous completion of scheduled maintenance and response to emergency repairs.
• Maintenance includes vegetation management at each site during the summer to ensure sensors operate as required and unimpeded by vegetation.
• Fabrication and installation of new stations, instrument maintenance and calibration, documentation and database maintenance.
• Performing snow surveys to validate precipitation data as required.
• Assisting with the procurement of materials and supplies from numerous vendors.
• Provides an opportunity to participate in data sharing and continuous improvement of the overall system through:
• Researching and sharing input to improve standards.
• Providing timely quality-controlled data to stakeholders.
• Maintaining a network of stakeholders to share technical information, advice, and data as required.
• Supporting other groups within the Ministry and partners as necessary, such as with the Environment and Parks real-time meteorological network.
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