Senior Aquatic Quality Scientist

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Department Information

The mandate of the Department of Environment and Climate Change is to manage land, water, air, wildlife, and forests. This includes promoting, planning, and supporting the wise and sustainable use of natural resources, and protecting, restoring, and stewarding the environment for the social and economic benefit of all Northwest Territories residents.

Job Information

The Senior Aquatic Quality Scientist is the principal water quality and aquatic specialist within the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and leads and manages a team of staff, contractors, and working groups to develop, implement and coordinate territorial strategies, policies, programs and projects that support the aquatic monitoring goals and objectives of the GNWT.

The Senior Scientist coordinates, leads, plans, designs and is responsible for overseeing the implementation of all water quality and aquatic health research and monitoring programs initiated by the Water Monitoring and Stewardship Division.  The Senior Scientist must keep up to date on research, science, Indigenous knowledge, new monitoring technologies and new analytical methodologies related to water quality and biological monitoring. The Senior Scientist presents and publishes results that can be in the form of technical reports, scientific papers, or plain language reports on the water quality, aquatic ecosystems, and aquatic ecosystem health in the NWT.

The Senior Scientist collaborates closely with colleagues in the Division, other divisions and GNWT departments, federal agencies, other provinces/territories, and Indigenous governments and Indigenous organizations, and engages with communities and the public because of the impact of water quality on drinking water and traditional foods (e.g., fish, wildlife).

Key Responsibilities

Provides strategic scientific oversight and supervision to the design and implementation, evaluation and integration of water quality and aquatic health monitoring and research programs.

Provides specialized advice, as the GNWT's subject matter expert on water and aquatic quality, to internal clients, technical committees, and external stakeholders.

Promotes monitoring and research partnerships and collaborations.

Develops communications and publishes and presents scientific findings and data from monitoring and research across the NWT.

Manages financial and administrative functions to provide effective and efficient services within budgetary frameworks.

Key Qualifications

A graduate degree (M.Sc.) in environmental science or water management, with at least five (5) years of progressive experience in water quality and aquatic sciences.

Relevant experience may include experience in aquatic environment sciences, particularly water quality and biological monitoring,  experience building relationships, particularly with Indigenous communities, but also academic researchers and other government(s) staff.

Equivalencies may include

An undergraduate degree (B.Sc.) in environmental science or water management, with at least seven (7) years of progressive experience in water quality and aquatic sciences.

Assets include

Relevant experience writing peer-reviewed scientific publications and presenting the results of scientific work to colleagues.

Relevant experience working with communities and Indigenous governments and Indigenous organizations on monitoring and research programs in the NWT.

Relevant experience managing multidisciplinary research teams and scientists.

GNWT Inquiries

Inquiries Only

Department of Finance

Government of the Northwest Territories

YELLOWKNIFE CENTRE 5TH FLOOR

BOX 1320 YELLOWKNIFE NT X1A 2L9

Tel (867) 767-9154 Extension 14106

Fax (867) 873-0445

[email protected]

Note: If you do not receive electronic notification confirming receipt of your application, please follow up via telephone.

More Information

Indigenous Employment Policy

Candidates must clearly identify their eligibility in order to receive priority consideration under the Indigenous Employment Policy.

Criminal Records Check

Employment in some positions requires an acceptable criminal records check.  Possession of a criminal record will not necessarily disqualify candidates from further consideration.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Government of the Northwest Territories is an inclusive workplace.  If you have a disability and you require support during the hiring process, you are encouraged to identify your needs if you are contacted for an assignment or interview so that you may be accommodated during the hiring process.

Eligibility

Eligibility lists may be created from this competition to fill future term and indeterminate positions.

Equivalencies

Equivalencies may be considered based on a one-year of directly related experience equivalent to one year of education or one year of education for one year of experience. However, combinations of education and experience must often be considered on a case-by-case basis.  For a full list of equivalencies that will be considered for this role, please contact human resources.

Job Opening Information

Job Opening ID # 28396

Closing Date: October 23, 2026 - 23:59, Mountain Time

Salary Information

The salary range for this position is from $68.30 per hour to $81.59 per hour (approximately $133,185 - $159,101 annually) plus an annual Northern Allowance of $3,700.

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