Senior Specialist, Facility Decommissioning & Abandonment

Location: Calgary or Edmonton, Alberta is preferred, other AER locations will be considered.

Employment Type: Full Time – Permanent

Salary Range: T4, Level 6, $130,050- $153,000 per year. The final compensation for this position will be determined based on individual factors, including education, qualifications, experience, and internal equity.

Senior Specialist, Facility Decommissioning & Abandonment

The Opportunity­­

The Senior Specialist, Facility Decommissioning and Abandonment, will serve as the Alberta Energy Regulator’s (AER) lead technical and regulatory expert on the full lifecycle of AER regulated facilities, with a focus on end-of-life planning, liability assessment, and closure outcomes.

The Senior Specialist will lead the development, continuous improvement, and implementation of regulatory requirements, standards, and AER guidance related to facility closure including suspension, abandonment, decommissioning, and full closure. Key responsibilities include leading initiatives to enhance facility liability cost estimation methodologies, improving integration of closure considerations throughout the regulatory framework, and providing technical leadership, strategic advice, and mentorship across the organization, while working closely with industry and other stakeholders to address emerging issues, improve closure performance, and ensure facilities are brought to closure in a safe and timely manner.

What your day-to-day will look like:

• Apply extensive technical knowledge to develop and implement standards and regulatory requirements that support responsible, timely decommissioning of AER-regulated facilities.
• Conduct detailed analysis to assess and identify gaps, discrepancies, or inconsistencies within the regulatory framework to define closure milestones, activities, and outcomes.
• Lead the assessment and development of enhancements to closure cost estimation methodologies for both regional and site-specific liability costs for AER-regulated facilities.
• Support the development of improved annual facility and closure performance reporting.
• Review facility suspension and decommissioning activities which can include review of decommissioning proposals, plans, reports, site inspections of facilities and meetings with industry.
• Participate and provide support on key policy initiatives led by the Government of Alberta.
• Communicate and provide technical expertise to AER staff, leadership, industry, stakeholders, and other parties as required.

What we’re looking for in you:

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical, mechanical, petroleum or environmental engineering. Registered professional engineer with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) is preferred.
• 10+ years of related experience in operations, environmental or facility engineering within the energy sector, including field experience working at industrial facilities
• Expertise in the closure and decommissioning of various energy facility types including multi-well batteries, gathering stations, compressors, sour/sweet gas plants, fractionation plants and waste handling facilities.
• Understanding of AER’s facility related requirements including Directive 056, Directive 058, Directive 011 and the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act.
• Familiarity with the Liability Management Framework (and associated AER directives), Oil and Gas Conservation Act, Oil and Gas Conservation Rules, Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act and associated regulations, Waste & Storage requirements, liquid and waste inventories, and proper suspension of equipment.
• Experience or familiarity in policy review and development.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and influence others while maintaining professional relationships.

Additional Information:

• All applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada at the time of application.
• Should an individual with the required qualifications not be available, applicants with closely related qualifications may be considered. As a result, the position may be redesigned and/or reclassified.
• If you need accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process, please email PeopleServices@aer.ca. Information relating to the need for accommodation and accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

What we offer you:

• Opportunity to make a difference and be part of a performance driven team that is responsible for the efficient, safe, orderly, and environmentally responsible development of Alberta’s energy and mineral resources. 
• The ability to leverage your expertise and critical thinking skills to contribute in wide-ranging, challenging, and complex work. 
• Robust total reward packages including; a competitive compensation program, defined benefit pension plan(s), flexible benefits, and wellness programs. 
• Flexible work options and hours, aligned with organizational policies. 

More information about working at the AER including our comprehensive Total Rewards package can be found in the careers section of our website https://www.aer.ca/providing-information/about-the-aer/careers/what-we-offer. 

Our Commitment to Diversity:

At the AER, our values of Accountability, Collaboration, Transparency, and Trust & Respect are foundational to our culture – a culture where every individual, regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected factors, thrives and contributes their unique perspectives.  

Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion fuels innovation, creating a brighter, more sustainable Alberta for all. Join us in shaping this dynamic future.
 

Application closing date: October 29, 2026, at midnight