Compliance & Enforcement Officer – Enforcement Investigations

Classification: Grid 27, BCGEU Membership 

Office Location: Fort St John or Dawson Creek

Salary: $83,312.49 - $94,991.51 – Permanent Full-Time, based on a 35-hour work week.
An additional 10.75% Job Family Market Multiplier will be added to the posted salary. 
An additional 3% Location Allowance will be added to posted salary for northern location.

About the Job:                
The Compliance & Enforcement Officer conducts inspections and investigations of all energy industry operations to monitor for compliance and initiate enforcement of the Energy Resources Activities Act (ERAA)and specified enactments and associated regulations, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Act, Mines Act, the Environmental Assessment Act, and other applicable legislation.

The position works closely with compliance and enforcement officials within other government ministries and agencies such as the Ministry of Forest, Lands & Natural Resource Operations, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment, WorkSafe BC, Environmental Assessment Office, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Canada Energy Regulator, Environment Canada, and Natural Resource Canada.

Please note: This position has a focus on enforcement investigations.

As a Compliance and Enforcement Officer in the Enforcement group, you will work with a team that is comprised of five officers and a manager. The focus of this role will be conducting mostly administrative investigations of permit holders and their contractors for non-compliance of applicable legislation. 

In a typical week you can expect to be handling many case files including, but not limited to, self-disclosures, unauthorized third-party activities related to a BCER regulated pipeline, or attending incidents involving infrastructure or environmental impacts. Time will also be spent working with subject matter experts drafting orders to perform, or cease, activities by a required date or working on contravention reports that could result in an administrative monetary penalty. There will be a heavy focus on interpreting applicable legislation and analyzing permit conditions issued to permit holders. 

Field time varies from week to week, as the Enforcement group responds to many unknown incidents and occurrences that cannot be planned for. Besides managing case files, some field time will also be related to inspections of activities, orders, permits and authorizations, as well as the concurrent data entry of these inspections. 

Working from the office, time will be utilized bringing investigations to a close, which may or may not result in enforcement action. You can also expect to be involved in many meetings each week related to potential non-compliances or orders, as well as ongoing internal and external training.

Organization Chart:     
Commissioner, Chief Executive Officer
          Executive Vice President, Safety & Compliance
                    Vice President, Compliance & Operations
                              Executive Director, Compliance & Enforcement
                                        Supervisor, Compliance & Enforcement / Manager, Enforcement
                                                  Compliance & Enforcement Officer

Inspections and Audits
Conducts inspections pertaining to energy sector activities regulated by the BCER, which may include, but are not limited to, inspection or audit of all phases, required records, tests, equipment and operating practices of well operations, pipeline operations, production facility operations, and roads and associated drainage and engineered structures for compliance with their associated legislation, permits, standards and other requirements.

May be required to operate mobile or portable air quality and noise monitoring equipment and make basic interpretations of gathered data.

Investigation and Enforcement
Conducts investigations into suspected non-compliance to related legislation by the energy industry (including environmental audits/ enforcement work such as stream crossings, waste, transportation of hazardous waste etc.), and forms recommendations on appropriate course of action. Recommendations could include warnings, tickets, administrative actions and penalties, contraventions, equipment seizure, cancellation of permits, or recommendation of prosecution.

Drafts and issues orders requiring shut-in, technical, environmental or safety requirements, or the submission of documents, plans or reports.

Monitors order requirements and deadlines.

Maintains and reviews case files and counsels other program staff on improved investigative/ enforcement actions or options. 

Compiles investigative information and writes enforcement reports for use in court or administrative enforcement proceedings. This position may also be required to provide expert testimony in court and administrative proceedings and acts as prosecutor for disputed violation tickets.

Plans, coordinates, participates and leads investigative teams in the conduct of provincial, inter-provincial, inter-regional or international investigation and enforcement projects.

Liaises with other program staff to resolve any competing demands for technical support. 

Maintains comprehensive information regarding industry practices as related to enforcement and compliance needs.

Emergency Management
Attends complaints, incidents, and other emergencies.

Assumes roles within the BCER emergency response team or represent the BCER on site during incidents as per BCER emergency response procedures.

Conducts or evaluates root cause investigations.

May participate in provincial-level emergencies such as fires and floods.

Records and Data Management
Analyzes submitted information to ensure that it meets administrative requirements of applicable legislative acts and regulations; prepares documents for hearings and court action; maintains inspection reports and summary documents; maintains compliance and/ or enforcement data management system; generates reports, analyzes data, monitors trends and recommends operations improvements.

Media, Public, First Nations Relations
Provides information to BCER communications contacts on sensitive issues regarding enforcement of legislation; participates in public and First Nations meetings; cooperates with First Nations Liaison Officer, develops job exposure/ shadowing programs for First Nations participants; participates in formal discussions involving industry, government agencies, First Nations and other public interest groups and stakeholders to identify and resolve real and potential conflicts and improve/ enhance industry practice with regard to operational activity; shares information regarding compliance and enforcement program and ensures concerns and issues are mutually understood and addressed.

Working Conditions
May be required to travel and work in adverse weather conditions and under hazardous working conditions which may require the use of specialized equipment.

May work under disagreeable conditions with members of the public, stakeholders, industry personnel, and/ or First Nations who may be anti-government, anti-enforcement or hostile in nature. Must be able to exercise tact, diplomacy, and discretion to diffuse potentially confrontational or highly charged situations. 

Special Designations
May be designated as a Natural Resource Officer under the Natural Resource Compliance Act with powers and duties limited to those of an officer under the Water Sustainability Act, Mines Inspectors (Health & Safety) under the Mines Act, as Inspectors under the Environmental Assessment Act, as Officials under the Agricultural Land Commission Act, and/ or other designations.

Supervision and Other Duties
May be required to supervise 1-3 full time employees; may be required to act as Supervisor during absences.

Education:
Bachelor's Degree in law enforcement, natural resource management, or a related discipline and 2 years directly related experience with a focus on compliance and enforcement.

Technical Diploma in law enforcement, natural resource management, or a related discipline and 3 years directly related experience with a focus on compliance and enforcement.

Grade 12 plus post-secondary courses in law enforcement, natural resource management, and 5 years directly related experience with a focus on compliance and enforcement.

There will be different combinations of relevant experience, education and/ or training that would result in the person meeting the above standards.

Experience:
Experience in a position specializing in the compliance & enforcement of a broad legislative mandate, such as regulatory law enforcement. Experience operating in an energy industry such as oil and gas.

Demonstrated experience in the interpretation and application of enforcement of Provincial and Federal legislation.

Experience working within the criminal and administrative justice systems and procedures, case law and preparation of cases for those venues.

Experience in conducting investigations including exhaustive research and case preparation; interpreting the law as it applies to applicable legislation and interpreting policies, regulations, and procedures. 

Technical knowledge and experience working with environmental protection management (e.g. water use, waste management, stream classification), and energy industry impact on the environment.

Technical knowledge and experience working in an energy industry including oil and gas. 

Thorough knowledge and experience in the safe operation and maintenance of equipment including firearms, vehicles, ATV’s, boats, wilderness survival, first aid and handling of dangerous substances.

Experience conducting inspections related to energy and/ or environmental regulatory requirements.

Good interpersonal skills with the ability to deal effectively with the public in enforcement situations; in answering complaints and inquiries and explaining legislation to the public and industry; liaising with other ministries and enforcement agencies and testifying in court or other legal proceedings.

Skill and ability to work with program staff with differing views and arrive at sound and appropriate solutions to complex enforcement issues.

Developed ability to resolve conflicts and make sound decisions regarding law enforcement applications, and in assessing safety requirements, often under stressful situations.

Key Competencies:
Flexibility and Adaptability
The ability and willingness to adjust to diverse situations and work effectively with a variety of individuals or groups. It involves understanding and appreciating different and opposing perspectives, adapting one’s approach as situations change, and accepting changes within one’s work. It also encompasses reacting positively to change and cooperating readily with revised methods and priorities in a changing work environment.

Active Listening and Understanding
The ability to fully concentrate, understand, and respond to what is being communicated, while setting aside biases and distractions to fully focus on, respect, and respond to information and opinions shared by others.

Communicating Effectively
The ability to convey information clearly, accurately, and appropriately to the intended audience. It involves utilizing multiple forms of communication channels and techniques, such as verbal and written communication, active listening, and nonverbal cues, to ensure a message is understood and received as intended. It involves being mindful of the audience’s needs, preferences, and cultural backgrounds, adapting the message and delivery style accordingly to facilitate mutual understanding and engagement.

Planning
The ability to define actions and identify resources needed to deliver on corporate goals. It marks the transition from critical thinking and decision making to driving results. Effective planning involves proactively establishing priorities, allocating resources, developing, and implementing complex plans, and continuously monitoring and adjusting work to meet organizational objectives.

Problem Solving and Judgement
The ability to systematically analyze problems, identify root causes, evaluate potential solutions, and make sound decisions to address challenges and achieve desired outcomes.

If you are interested in applying for this role and meet the minimum selection criteria, please select “Apply Now” and submit your application prior to the closing date. Applicants should review the education and experience listed in the job requisition and clearly articulate how their work experience and skills are aligned with the requirements. Please note, applicants will only be contacted if they are selected to proceed further in the process. An eligibility list with a duration of 6 months may be established.