Department: Environment and Climate Change
Location: HALIFAX
Type of Employment: Permanent
Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG
Closing Date: 06-Aug-25 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

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 Petroleum and Alternative Fuel Engineer to play a critical role in ensuring sustainable development in Nova Scotia.
As the division’s petroleum engineering specialist, you will focus on environmental protection relating to petroleum, petroleum products, and impacts associated with the exploration, storage and use of petroleum as identified in the Environment Act and associated regulations administered by the Department.
In addition, you will be able to interpret and understand applications relating to alternative fuels with respect to environmental impacts from development and operation of non-standard processes. This could include hydrogen/ammonia production, thermal treatment, and/or alternative energy generation.
This role supports Nova Scotia in developing and maintaining best practice approaches for the use of petroleum and alternative fuels in the province.

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 and Industrial Approvals
• Oversee the training and certification of over 170 petroleum installers, building capacity through education, training, and mentorship, and supporting external capacity building in the industry.
• Think critically using your engineering education and experience to give advice that is practical, correct, and considers both environmental 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 develop a professional network of key contacts in and outside of the department in a manner that fosters innovation, growth and solution oriented approaches
• Participate in inter-departmental committees to provide support and advice regarding petroleum and alternative fuels exploration, development, and operations.
• 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 the Air Quality Unit, the Petroleum and Alternative Fuel 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 sustainable resource development and industrial processes in Nova Scotia.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The successful candidate will hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in engineering and a minimum of 6 years related industry experience in petroleum and alternative fuel development, operations and/or exploration. The candidate must possess a strong understanding of chemical principles. You must also be registered (or eligible for registration) with Engineers Nova Scotia as Licensed to Practice.
As the successful candidate you will have extensive and current industry experience in petroleum resource development, storage and handling and detailed knowledge of industry standards for effective petroleum management. You will also have knowledge of alternative and emerging fuels science, production and handling as well as challenges of using and monitoring these substances to prevent adverse effects on human health and the environment.
You will have in-depth knowledge and experience in risk management for contaminants related to petroleum and alternative fuels.

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

• Strong communication (verbal and written) skills with proven ability to effectively interact with technical and non-technical audiences
• The ability to lead and engage work teams, often with diverse interests and experience
• Experience in project management
• Sound judgment when dealing with people and ambiguous situations

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 and Industrial Approvals
• Oversee the training and certification of over 170 petroleum installers, building capacity through education, training, and mentorship, and supporting external capacity building in the industry.
• Think critically using your engineering education and experience to give advice that is practical, correct, and considers both environmental 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 develop a professional network of key contacts in and outside of the department in a manner that fosters innovation, growth and solution oriented approaches
• Participate in inter-departmental committees to provide support and advice regarding petroleum and alternative fuels exploration, development, and operations.
• Assist other divisions to ensure compliance with departmental legislation through the review of data submitted as a requirement of approvals

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

• Strong communication (verbal and written) skills with proven ability to effectively interact with technical and non-technical audiences
• The ability to lead and engage work teams, often with diverse interests and experience
• Experience in project management
• Sound judgment when dealing with people and ambiguous situation