JOB PROFILE
POSITION # 103121
TITLE: SNOW SURVEY TECHNICIAN
MINISTRY: ENVIRONMENT
CLASSIFICATION: SCIENTIFIC/TECHNICAL OFFICER (RESOURCE) 21
WORK UNIT: ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING, REPORTING & ECONOMICS
JOB OVERVIEW
Reporting to the Snow Survey Program Coordinator, the Snow Survey Technician provides specialist expertise to support
the snow monitoring network.
ACCOUNTABILITIES

Deploys and maintains Provincial Snow Monitoring Program infrastructure, including the Automated
Snow Weather Station Network and the Manual Snow Survey Network.

Provides technical advisory services as a specialist in the Provincial Snow Survey Program to support
natural resource decision-making. Provides technical support and expertise to the Provincial
Groundwater Observation Well Network on an “as needed” basis.

Co-ordinates and manages the provincial land reserves for automated snow weather stations and
manual snow survey stations.

Uses statistical techniques to analyse, quantify and synthesize data, including the use of advanced
spatial analysis tools.

Develops and applies quality control and assurance procedures to real-time and archived snow and
groundwater data.

Conducts field and data audits.

Manages data entry and metadata associated with snow and groundwater monitoring networks.

Prepares contract, project and/or proposal documents incorporating Ministry snow monitoring and
industry best practice technical standards, and provides recommendations and support to the project
and/or program area including preliminary cost estimates.

Tests and implements new technologies, practices and standards in the field; drafts methodologies and
deployment plans.

Conducts data gathering, investigation and technical evaluation of physical evidence using advanced
software, database tools and electronic/technical measuring, sampling and recording equipment.

Conducts structured analysis and interpretation using the principles of the area to draw conclusions
and recommendations, and prepares comprehensive technical reports.

Incorporates knowledge of local conditions to develop case-specific solutions.

Represents the Ministry by addressing professional organizations at meetings, workshops and
conferences.

Prepares and/or negotiates contracts, monitors performance and authorizes payment.

Administers local project budgets.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Education and Experience: (resumes will be screened on the following minimum essential education and
experience criteria)

Bachelor’s Degree in Resource Management, Physical Geography, Climatology, Meteorology or related
discipline and 1 years of directly related experience; or

Technical Diploma in Resource Management, Physical Geography, Climatology, Meteorology or related
discipline and 3 years directly related experience; or

Other relevant equivalent combinations of education, experience and training may be considered.
Directly related experience includes a combination of the following:

Experience in environmental monitoring and reporting.

Experience performing technical duties and working with field-deployed monitoring equipment
including data loggers, various types of water and climate monitoring equipment.

Experience in project management.

Experience in negotiating/mediating solutions in resource management.

Experience in managing datasets, data entry and managing metadata.
Preference may be given to applicants with any of the following: (applicants that screen in on the above
essential criteria may be further screened on any of the following preferences)

A minimum of 1 year of experience installing, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing
meteorological monitoring instrumentation and networks.

Experience conducting manual snow surveys.

A minimum of 1 year of experience in quality control and assurance processes as it applies to
meteorological sampling, data collection and reporting.

Experience in GIS and spatial statistics.

Experience conducting remote alpine field work.

Avalanche Skills 1 or equivalent.

Operator training and experience with ATVs and/or Snowmobiles.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: (applicants that screen in on the above preferential criteria, may be further
assessed on their knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies)

Knowledge of the land act and land tenuring mechanisms

Knowledge of contract administration and management.

Knowledge of meteorology and snow survey concepts and issues including health and environmental
impacts, legislative and regulatory initiatives, hydrological and watershed forecasting and planning.

Superior written and oral communication skills.

Strong skills in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

Demonstrated ability to collect and analyze field data.

Ability to develop and maintain relationships with coworkers and program clients and stakeholders.

Demonstrated ability to apply policies, procedures and legislation
WILLINGNESS STATEMENTS:

Must be willing to travel extensively across the Province.

Travel and work on weekends may be required.

Must be possess and maintain a valid B.C. driver’s license.

Meet safety standards of Work Safe BC when working in field.

Maintain physical fitness to be able to conduct field work which may include: travel to remote areas by
vehicle, air, boat, snow machine, or foot; overnight or extended stay in rough camp conditions and
outdoor work in all weather conditions; lifting and carrying over 50 pounds.

Successful completion of security screening requirements of the BC Public Service, which includes a
criminal records check.
BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

Teamwork and cooperation is the ability to work co-operatively within diverse teams, work groups
and across the organization to achieve group and organizational goals. It includes the desire and ability
to understand and respond effectively to other people from diverse backgrounds with diverse views.

Service orientation implies a desire to identify and serve customers/clients, who may include the
public, co-workers, other branches/divisions, other ministries/agencies, other government
organizations, and non-government organizations. It means focusing one’s efforts on discovering and
meeting the needs of the customer/client.
Results orientation is a concern for surpassing a standard of excellence. The standard may be one’s
own past performance (striving for improvement); an objective measure (achievement orientation);
challenging goals that one has set; or even improving or surpassing what has already been done
(continuous improvement). Thus, a unique accomplishment also indicates a Results Orientation


Engaging External Partners identifies and involves external stakeholders in order to foster long term
partnerships.

Partners with stakeholders is the desire to work co-operatively with all stakeholders to meet mutual
goals. It involves awareness that a relationship based on trust is the foundation for success in
delivering results.

Analytical thinking is the ability to comprehend a situation by breaking it down into its components
and identifying key or underlying complex issues. It implies the ability to systematically organize and
compare the various aspects of a problem or situation, and determine cause-and-effect relationships
("if...then…") to resolve problems in a sound, decisive manner. Checks to ensure the validity or
accuracy of all information.

Innovation indicates an effort to improve performance by doing or promoting new things, such as
introducing a previously unknown or untried solution or procedure to the specific area or organization.
For more information on and a complete list of competency descriptions please see COMPETENCIES.