About Western Irrigation District
The Western Irrigation District provides irrigation water to over 400 farms and 140,000 acres of land. In addition, it supplies municipal water to over 12,000 people in four different communities through 2,100 km of canals and pipelines. Like other irrigation districts in Alberta, the WID operates under the rules and procedures of the Irrigation Districts Act. We are headquartered in Strathmore, Alberta, approximately 40 kilometers east of Calgary.
The Opportunity
The Water Resources Technologist will be WID's first dedicated resource for water quality monitoring, hydrometric measurement, and hydraulic analysis.
That means this person will have the opportunity — and the responsibility — to shape how WID does this work. They will develop field protocols, select and learn new instrumentation, build models from the ground up, and translate technical findings into decisions that affect thousands of acres of irrigated farmland and multiple regulatory partnerships
The right candidate is not someone who needs a detailed playbook. They are someone who can write one.
What You Will Do
Pioneer WID's Field Monitoring Capability
WID is introducing new instrumentation to its field program — including remote-control ADCP vessel technology for canal and reservoir discharge measurement. You will be among the first at WID to operate this equipment. You will learn it, master it, document it, and eventually train others on it. The same applies to continuous in-situ water quality monitoring platforms that are being deployed for the first time at our reservoirs.
- Lead the field execution of WID's water quality monitoring program at Chestermere and Langdon Reservoir, preserving 28 years of historical continuity while expanding what the program can do.
- Operate and maintain ADCP and flow measurement instruments across WID's canal network; develop and refine the existing gate-versus-meter comparison program at 60+ locations.
- Deploy, operate, and maintain continuous in-situ water quality and level sensors; retrieve and validate data; integrate with WID's telemetry environment.
- Perform integrated water sampling; manage chain of custody to the laboratory; follow up on results and flag issues requiring operational or regulatory response.
Build the Analytical Foundation
WID has substantial field data but lacks the analytical infrastructure to fully exploit it. You will help change that — building models, interpreting trends, and connecting field observations to operational and capital decisions.
- Develop and calibrate open-channel hydraulic models (HEC-RAS or equivalent) using WID's existing field dataset; support canal capacity assessment and operational scenario analysis.
- Build pipe hydraulics models for WID's pressurized pipeline and lateral systems; assess capacity and pressure performance.
- Interpret water quality laboratory results against CCME/AEP guidelines, provincial standards, and WID's long-term baseline; identify trends and exceedances; prepare concise technical summaries.
- Compile and QA/QC time-series flow data; resolve inconsistencies; build a data foundation that supports IPTRID benchmarking, compliance reporting, and capital planning.
Develop Programs and Protocols
Because this is new territory for WID, the role requires genuine program-building capability — not just execution.
- Develop and document field SOPs, sampling protocols, and data management procedures; ensure they are practical, repeatable, and transferable to other operators over time.
- Identify gaps in WID's current monitoring coverage and propose improvements; bring creative, cost-effective solutions that fit WID's operational scale.
- Participate in WID's water quality protocol reviews; contribute to the continuous improvement of the overall monitoring framework.
- Contribute to IPTRID benchmarking data collection across water quality, delivery efficiency, and environmental monitoring domains.
Translate Technical Work into Decisions
Field data and models only create value when they inform decisions. A key part of this role is communication — making technical findings accessible to operations leadership, field supervisors, and external partners.
- Prepare clear, concise technical reports and briefing notes for the Operations Manager and, where applicable, the Irrigation Council, AEP, and external agreement partners.
- Support compliance reporting obligations under WID's stormwater and raw water agreements.
- Collaborate with the Asset & Maintenance Manager, GIS Specialist, and Water Supervisors to ensure field data is usable at the operational level.
Who You Are
More than any specific credential, we are looking for a particular kind of professional. The person who succeeds in this role will be:
- Entrepreneurial — you see a blank page as an opportunity, not a problem. You are comfortable defining your own work and figuring out what needs to happen next without being told.
- Technically curious — you enjoy learning new instruments, software, and methods. You are not intimidated by equipment you have never used before; you read the manual, reach out to the vendor, and figure it out.
- Self-directed and reliable in the field — you can work independently across remote locations and make quality judgments on your own. Your field records are clean and your data is trustworthy.
- A clear communicator — you can write a straightforward technical summary and explain a flow curve to someone who has never heard of Manning's equation.
- Collaborative — you understand that your work connects to other people's decisions, and you engage proactively with colleagues across the organization.
- Seasonally adaptable — you understand that irrigation districts live and die by the spring. You are organized, calm, and effective when the workload compresses between April and September.
Qualifications
Education
- Diploma or degree in Civil Engineering Technology, Water Resources Engineering, Environmental Engineering Technology, or a closely related discipline.
- Registration as a P.Tech with ASET, or eligibility to register, is considered an asset.
- P.Eng with APEGA, or eligibility, is also considered an asset but is not required.
Experience
Minimum 3 years of progressive experience in water resources, environmental monitoring, or a related field — preferably in an irrigation, agricultural water management, or watershed context.
- Hands-on experience with ADCP flow measurement instruments (any manufacturer/platform); remote-control vessel experience is a significant asset but is not required — WID will support the learning curve.
- Experience conducting water quality field sampling and interpreting laboratory results against regulatory benchmarks.
- Experience building or using hydraulic models (open channel and/or pressurized pipe); prior HEC-RAS experience is preferred.
- Experience working with SCADA systems, telemetry data, or in-situ sensor networks is an asset.
Other Requirements
- Valid Class 5 Alberta driver's license and ability to operate district field vehicles.
- Boat operator certification, or willingness to obtain prior to field deployment season.
- Physical ability to work in field conditions including near open water, in variable weather, and across uneven terrain.
- Familiarity with Alberta's Water Act, Irrigation Districts Act, and AEP regulatory environment is a strong asset.
What WID Offers
WID is a financially strong, community-rooted organization with a clear strategic direction and genuine leadership support for this work. We offer:
- The chance to build something — this role has real scope and real impact on how WID operates for the next decade.
- A collaborative, values-driven team that takes its work seriously and supports each other across a demanding season.
- Investment in your professional development — WID is committed to supporting the training, equipment orientation, and certifications this role requires.
- Competitive compensation commensurate with qualifications and experience, consistent with WID's established compensation framework.
- A stable, year-round position with a meaningful off-season planning and analytical component.
- The full context and depth of a 28-year water quality dataset, a 77-station SCADA network, and a district that is genuinely ready to do things differently.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: $100,000.00-$120,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Vision care
Work Location: In person