This position has a term length of one year plus one day, with the possibility of renewal.
Location - This position offers a flexible work arrangement, allowing for a combination of remote and in-office work (in Alberta) based on work preferences. Preference for schedule will be discussed during the recruitment process.
Reporting to the Monitoring Centre Director, the Senior Lead, Monitoring Science and Innovation provides strategic and operational leadership for the Monitoring Science and Innovation Unit. The position is accountable for the scientific integrity, technical capability, and operational delivery of the unit, including monitoring methods, scientific quality assurance, land access, restoration activities, field technologies, technical training, and continuous improvement of monitoring operations.
The position leads a multidisciplinary team of professional, technical, and seasonal staff and works collaboratively with the Science, Information, Geospatial, Processing, and Operations Centres to support province-wide biodiversity monitoring. The Senior Lead develops partnerships with researchers, government agencies, Indigenous communities, industry, and other organizations to advance monitoring science and operational excellence.
The Faculty of Science is internationally recognized for excellence in research and education. Through pioneering discovery and innovation, the faculty addresses global challenges across disciplines such as biology, chemistry, computing science, physics, mathematics, and earth sciences. Its work positions the university at the forefront of technological, environmental, and scientific advancement.
Unit Leadership
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Provides leadership for the Monitoring Centre's field health and safety program, including development of field safety standards, mandatory training, emergency response procedures, risk assessments, and operational readiness for permanent and seasonal staff deployed across Alberta.
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Provides strategic and operational leadership for the Monitoring Science and Innovation Unit.
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Establishes annual work plans, operational priorities, resource allocation, and performance objectives.
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Leads recruitment, supervision, mentoring, succession planning, and performance management for permanent and seasonal staff.
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Directly supervises the Access Manager, Restoration Field Coordinator, technical staff, and seasonal field staff.
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Coordinates technical activities across multiple concurrent monitoring programs.
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Ensures compliance with University policies, health and safety requirements, and organizational standards.
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Develops annual operating budgets, monitors expenditures, and manages unit resources.
Monitoring Science, Technical Leadership, and Innovation
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Provides strategic leadership for monitoring science, technical standards, and innovation supporting ABMI's province-wide monitoring programs.
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Develops, evaluates, and continuously improves monitoring protocols, sampling methodologies, field standards, and quality assurance procedures to ensure scientifically rigorous and operationally consistent data collection.
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Establishes and maintains technical standards, operational procedures, and best practices that support the consistent implementation of monitoring programs across Alberta.
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Leads the evaluation, development, and implementation of emerging monitoring technologies, including field equipment, environmental sensors, mobile data collection systems, remote sensing applications, and AI-assisted workflows.
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Identifies opportunities to improve scientific quality, operational efficiency, safety, and data quality through the adoption of new technologies and continuous improvement of monitoring methods.
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Leads the investigation and resolution of complex scientific, technical, and operational issues affecting monitoring programs.
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Provides authoritative technical advice to Centre leadership, project teams, and external partners on monitoring methods, technologies, and technical standards.
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Maintains awareness of advances in ecological monitoring science and technology and recommends strategic investments that strengthen ABMI's long-term monitoring capability.
Land Access and Restoration Programs
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Provides leadership for ABMI's provincial land access program, ensuring secure long-term access to monitoring locations across Alberta.
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Oversees development and implementation of restoration initiatives supporting biodiversity monitoring and habitat recovery.
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Ensures land access agreements, restoration activities, and associated technical programs are delivered consistently and efficiently.
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Provides strategic direction for landowner engagement, restoration planning, and field implementation.
Partnership Development and Program Growth
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Develops collaborative relationships with government agencies, Indigenous communities, researchers, industry, landowners, and conservation organizations.
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Represents ABMI on technical committees, advisory groups, and collaborative initiatives.
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Identifies opportunities to expand monitoring capability through new partnerships, technologies, and applied monitoring initiatives.
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Contributes technical expertise to grant applications, proposals, contracts, scientific publications, and technical reports.
Organizational Leadership
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Contributes to Monitoring Centre strategic planning and organizational decision-making.
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Collaborates with Centre Directors and senior staff to ensure integration of monitoring operations with ABMI's scientific, geospatial, information management, and reporting activities.
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Develops organizational policies, technical standards, and best practices supporting long-term monitoring.
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Leads continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, consistency, and scientific quality across monitoring operations.
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Minimum 2-year diploma in biological sciences or related discipline. Bachelor's degree preferred.
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Minimum of 8 years' working experience in the field of ecology or natural resource management with excellent organizational, writing, and interpersonal skills is required.
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Equivalencies in education and experience will be considered.
Preference given to those with:
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10 years of progressively responsible experience in ecological monitoring, environmental science, or applied natural resource management is strongly preferred.
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Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary scientific and technical teams.
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Extensive experience supervising professional, technical, and seasonal staff.
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Demonstrated experience managing complex operational programs involving multiple stakeholders.
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Extensive knowledge of ecological monitoring methods, sampling design, scientific quality assurance, and field operations.
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Demonstrated experience developing technical standards, operational procedures, and monitoring protocols.
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Experience managing operational budgets, contracts, and organizational resources.
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Excellent communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills.
Application Instructions
Click "Apply Now" to submit your resume and cover letter.
This position is subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the collective agreement between the Governors of the University of Alberta and the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).
This position offers a comprehensive benefits package.
The University of Alberta, its buildings, labs and research stations are primarily located on the territory of Néhiyaw (Cree), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Métis, Nakoda (Stoney), Dene, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Anishinaabe (Ojibway/Saulteaux), lands that are now known as part of Treaties 6, 7 and 8 and homeland of the Métis. The University of Alberta respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems and cultures of all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.
The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.
Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people - from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.
At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.
All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms—physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of belonging and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns.
The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.
L’Université de l’Alberta s’engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes de toute orientation sexuelle ou identité et expression de genre; et toutes les personnes qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l'université à postuler.
