Hydrologist

The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) is seeking a Hydrologist for a full-time, limited-term position in Edmonton or Calgary, AB. The role involves utilizing remote sensing expertise to map groundwater-dependent ecosystems in Alberta's oil sands regions. Responsibilities include assessing hydrological interactions, processing various remote sensing datasets, and integrating geological knowledge. Strong communication skills and innovative problem-solving are essential. The position is part of the Groundwater Geoscience Team within the Alberta Geological Survey.
Location
Edmonton or Calgary, AB


Employment Type
Full Time – Limited Term – Anticipated duration 12 Months


Salary Range
T3, Level 5, $102,000- $120,000 per year. The final compensation for this position will be determined based on individual factors, including education, qualifications, experience, and internal equity.


Hydrologist The Opportunity The Alberta Geological Survey (AGS), a branch of the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER), is recruiting for a Hydrologist with expertise in remote sensing to join a talented group of geoscientists within the Groundwater Geoscience Team.


The Hydrologist will apply advanced knowledge of physical and regional hydrology and process remote sensing datasets in support of mapping groundwater‑dependent ecosystems in the Athabasca and Cold Lake oil sands regions. This initiative is part of a multi‑year AGS project focused on characterizing groundwater conditions for the Oil Sands Monitoring Program. The program’s aim is to develop a long‑term groundwater monitoring network, utilizing surficial geology, distribution of Neogene‑Quaternary aquifer systems, baseline groundwater geochemistry, vulnerability, and groundwater‑dependent ecosystem mapping.


This role will consist of creating watershed‑scale groundwater‑dependent ecosystem maps relying on surficial geology, terrain analysis, groundwater‑levels, and geological maps. In addition, the hydrologist will integrate remote‑sensing based observations with outputs from physics based hydrological modelling to predict groundwater movement and hydrological response to environmental change. The Hydrologist will be positioned within an interdisciplinary geoscience team that engages with external collaborators and stakeholders.


This responsibility requires strong communication and presentation skills, plus innovative thinking to understand problems and devise solutions. The individual will utilize their prior experience, education, training, and research skills to fulfill internal and external project objectives.


What your day‑to‑day will look like:


Assess hydrological interactions between groundwater and surface water in Alberta’s oil sands regions and process remote sensing datasets to support groundwater‑dependent ecosystem mapping.


Apply remote sensing expertise to process and interpret multispectral, thermal, and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery and related derivative products in support of hydrologic assessment and groundwater‑dependent ecosystem mapping. Relevant datasets and products may include Sentinel‑1 SAR for surface water mapping, wetness indicators, and near surface soil moisture interpretation


• InSAR‑derived surface deformation products. Sentinel‑2 multispectral imagery


• Landsat thermal imagery


• MODIS evapotranspiration products


• GRACE data


• NASA SMAP‑based soil moisture products; and vegetation and moisture related products; including leaf area index (LAI), Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI), and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI).


Integrate data and knowledge on surficial and Quaternary geology, and hydrogeological mapping to support delineation of groundwater‑dependent ecosystems.


Prepare and deliver presentations and reports for the AGS, external collaborators, and project stakeholders.


Compile, organize and manage data from a variety of sources (e.g., remote sensing, hydrometric, precipitation, chemistry/ isotope, and groundwater monitoring data) to support project objectives and deliverables.


Create groundwater‑dependent ecosystem maps at publication quality with various climate, surface water, and groundwater related information in an ArcGIS environment.


What we’re looking for in you:


B.Sc. in remote sensing, hydrology, engineering, geography, or a related discipline; a M.Sc. or Ph.D. is considered an asset.


5-7 years of relevant industry, academia, or government engineering, remote‑sensing or geoscience experience.


Prior experience quantifying groundwater‑surface water interaction using remote sensing, isotope hydrology, field‑based methods, or analytical techniques.


Possess a strong working knowledge of remote sensing methods and data sources. Knowledge of the hydrology, hydrogeology, and geology of the Alberta oil sands areas is considered an asset.


Proficient in ArcGIS, geostatistical analysis, and image processing software. Familiarity with a variety of programming languages (Python, R, Google Earth Engine, ENVI).


Experience with numerical and analytical solutions in hydrology and associated software.


Strong written and oral communication skills to communicate moderately complex earth observation concepts, practices, or approaches to scientific audiences.


Collaborative team player who values developing relationships and sharing ideas and knowledge with others.