Job Description

Position Overview

The Kluane Lake Research Station in the Arctic Institute of North America is currently seeking a Full-time Temporary Field Station Operations Manager for approximately 5 months.

This position reports to the Executive Director of the Arctic Institute of North America (AINA) and works closely with AINA\'s Associate Director and the Scientific Director of the Kluane Lake Research Station (KLRS). Under the operational guidelines of AINA and the University of Calgary the Field Station Operations Manager is responsible for leading the operation and staff management of KLRS.

The position requires a high level of independence and initiative, ability to manage and anticipate a dynamic workflow, and requires flexibility as work volume fluctuates throughout the operational season. Professionalism in judgement, discretionary decision making, and confidentiality are required when dealing with complex and sensitive issues. The Field Station Operations Manager demonstrates a high level of service and leadership in matters relating to institute operation, management of staff and administrative affairs.

The Field Station Operations Manager works on a flexible work week schedule where additional weekend work is required throughout the operational season to meet the needs of courses, researchers, conferences, and special events being hosted at the field stations. The incumbent requires strong and varied communication skills, team and client skills, and willingness to learn emerging techniques for continued professional growth.

The Kluane Lake Research Station (KLRS) is located 220 km northwest of Whitehorse, Yukon, on the south shore of Kluane Lake, on the traditional lands of the Kluane, Champagne-Ashihik and White River First Nations.

Position Description

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

• Support the Field Station Scientific Director to establish outreach programs and collaborative initiatives such as with Indigenous communities and other external groups.
• When applicable, liaise with appointed postdoctoral scholars to assist with the Scientific Director\'s goals.
• Provide leadership and manage communication during emergency situations to all required agencies and internal staff and campus groups.
• Oversees the seasonal staffing needs of the Research Station to ensure operations are supported with appropriately qualified and skilled people.
• Advertises, recruits, and supervises the seasonal staff for the Research Station, including assignment of work and space.
• Full-scope managerial authority over several recurring part-time positions and casual positions (~5-7 positions) including making hiring, performance management, and termination decisions.
• Maintain and schedule the access and use of accommodation spaces at KLRS related to University Courses, meetings and conferences, Community Groups, and Researchers.
• Communicate booking information with the Executive Chef, housekeeping, and maintenance staff.
• Prepare final billing (invoice request) for group and cash/cheque deposits; ensure billing has been completed for all groups at KLRS; maintain record of users group numbers and user days.
• Facilitate ordering supply and requests needs of staff; Responsible to ensure supplies are ordered for housekeeping needs, stationary, and assess accommodation requirements (mattresses, linens, kitchen supplies, etc.).
• Ensures the institute infrastructure is running smoothly including all maintenance and operational issues (e.g., recycling, vehicles, etc.).
• Establish, where needed, and maintain documentation and practices for ensuring the ongoing and correct operation of critical infrastructure systems including renewable energy system, diesel generator (i.e., oil and filter changes), water and wastewater systems.
• Solely responsible for ensuring that third party contractors and companies are communicated with to ensure the correct operation of critical infrastructure. These activities include seasonal shutdown processes, fuel deliveries and septic pumps.
• Constantly review where infrastructure operation efficiencies or improvements may be created and design budgets and necessary supporting documents for their proposal and review.
• Maintains cost accounting records; assists with the financial planning for the Research Station.
• Accountable for all local financial activities as it relates to the Research Station.
• Collaborate with the Field Station Scientific Director to implement initiatives and the strategic plans of KLRS and the University.
• Operate weather station and other instrument arrays, digital data (weather data), for easy access by researchers.
• Operate and ensure instruments arrays are calibrated for use of researchers, which may involve organizing outside expertise.
• Sole internal staff member responsible for the preliminary maintenance of the Institute\'s research equipment such as the research GPS units.
• Maintenance and operation of computer room and data collection from data loggers. These duties include maintenance of equipment required by researchers visiting KLRS.
• Manage summer interns and other grant supported research supported interns on appropriate tasks above.
• Ensure groups booked receive a safety/orientation talk at the start of each event; this includes site specific information and safe working conditions in subarctic environments, including wildlife concerns and weather predictions.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Bachelor of Science Degree preferred but will consider previous relevant work experience.
• Skillfully build productive and supportive working relationships. Project management and task coordination skills while working independently.
• This position requires an understanding of safety codes and standards (see below).
• The incumbent needs to have excellent communication, organization, innovation, and interpersonal skills.
• Minimum of 3 years of science planning and organizational experience. Minimum of 3 years of supervisory or managerial experience.
• Advanced understanding of field safety and field hazards, ability to effectively communicate these to researchers and participants of university courses and other science gatherings.
• Familiarity in computer networks and field instrumentation, such as Geospatial cyberinfrastructure platforms, geographic information systems (GIS), GPS, metrological instruments, LiDAR and other emerging technologies. This position requires light lifting for movement and storage of equipment and must be able to work outdoors in all kinds of conditions.
• Capacity to adjust work schedule to meet multiple demands and pressures, and a demonstrated ability to provide a consistently high level of service.
• Capacity to quickly develop an understanding of the University of Calgary\'s (i) organizational structure, including its governance; (ii) mission and its Strategic Research Plan; and (iii) policies, procedures, and operating requirements.
• Valid driver\'s license equivalent to class 5, Alberta (standard driver\'s license).
• Current Advanced First Aid/CPR Police check.
• WHIMS.
• Strong computer skills.

Application Deadline: April 26, 2023

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

Additional Information

This position is classified in the Management Career Band, Level 2 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework. Management and Professional Staff (MaPS) Positions are currently under review as part of the Alberta Labour Relations Board exclusion review process. Visit the for more information.

To find out more about management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our .

The University strongly recommends all faculty and staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

About the University of Calgary

The University of Calgary is Canada\'s leading next-generation university - a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation\'s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada\'s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit .

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide in line with the foundational goals of , committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the ( ) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ( ).

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.

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