Energy Resources Conservation Board

Wellbore Engineer

Energy & Utilities
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Engineering Technologist Diploma with a focus in mechanical, chemical, or oil and gas.
  • 5-7 years of relevant experience in wellbore engineering or related energy sector.
  • Professional Engineer (P.Eng) or Professional Technologist (P.Tech) registration with APEGA, or eligibility for registration.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present complex information clearly.
  • Beginner to intermediate project management knowledge demonstrating organizational and analytical skills.
  • Understanding of Alberta’s regulatory framework and well operations concepts is an asset.

Responsibilities

  • Review and assess applications for new and existing wells to ensure compliance with operational requirements.
  • Apply risk-based technical reviews and draft approval conditions for well operations.
  • Communicate regulatory requirements to stakeholders, including the public and government representatives.
  • Conduct audits and site visits to verify compliance with regulatory mechanisms.
  • Provide technical support for incident response and management of conditions.
  • Support data analysis efforts to ensure the reliability of decision-making data.
  • Participate in a multi-disciplinary team to provide recommendations on well operation practices.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to contribute to safe and environmentally responsible development of Alberta's resources.
  • Engagement in challenging and complex projects that utilize critical thinking skills.
  • Comprehensive total rewards packages including competitive compensation and defined benefit pension plans.
  • Flexible work hours and options to align with organizational policies.
Full Job Description
Location: Calgary, AB preferred. Any AER office may be considered.

Employment Type: Full Time - Permanent

Salary Range: T3, Level 5, $102,000- $120,000 per year. The final compensation for this position will be determined based on individual factors, including education, qualifications, experience, and internal equity.

Wellbore Engineer or Technologist, In Situ Applications

The Opportunity

Are you ready to use your well operations expertise to make a real impact in Alberta's energy sector? This role is a great fit for someone who is keen to expand their knowledge of the regulatory environment in Alberta. As a Wellbore Engineer, you will contribute to the safe and environmentally responsible development of Alberta's oil sands resources.

At the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER), you'll be part of a technical professional team that has a strong emphasis on continuous improvement, inclusive culture, and solving complex problems in drilling and completions, wellbore integrity, abandonment, suspension and thermal compatiblity. Your work will involve a holistic review of proposals, analysis of risk and communicating recommendations that align with provincial policy and the AER's mandate.

What your day-to-day will look like:
  • As part of a multi-disciplinary team, review and make timely recommendations and decisions on applications and submissions to ensure new and existing wells are drilled, completed, suspended or abandoned in a manner that is compatible with proposed thermal or heavy oil operations, ensuring requirements are met under the Oil Sands Conservation Act (OSCA) and the Oil and Gas Conservation Act (OGCA).
  • Apply risk-based technical review principles and draft case-specific approval conditions to ensure risk mitigations are addressed and compliance with applicable Directives (e.g., Directives 020, 023, 036, 051, 087).
  • Communicate with representatives from regulated parties, the public and government on regulatory requirements associated with in situ oil sands developments.
  • Perform audits (desktop surveillance and occasional travel to sites) to ensure operational risks have been mitigated using AER compliance assurance mechanisms, including review of Directive 054 performance reports. Lead coordination of compliance actions with regulatory compliance staff and associated AER field centres.
  • Provide technical support for emergency incident response and conditions management. After-hours on-call duties are available on a voluntary basis with additional compensation.
  • Support data analysis and qualification to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data used in decision-making processes.


What we're looking for in you:
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, or Engineering Technologist Diploma, with a focus in mechanical, chemical or oil and gas.
  • 5-7 years of related experience in wellbore engineering or related field of study in the energy sector.
  • Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) or Professional Technologist (P.Tech) designation with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) or Certified Engineering Technologist (C.E.T) designation with Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET), or eligibility to be registered as such, is a requirement.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills to present and communicate complex technical information to a variety of audiences.
  • Beginner to intermediate awareness of project management principles demonstrating well-developed organizational and analytical skills, the ability to meet deadlines and work independently and collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Assets include a strong understanding of Alberta's regulatory framework and associated legislation across the energy lifecycle and a strong understanding of fundamental well operations concepts.


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 [redacted]. 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's including our comprehensive Total Rewards package can be found in the careers section of our website.

Application closing date: June 29, 2026, at midnight

About Energy Resources Conservation Board

The Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) was an independent, quasi-judicial agency of the Government of Alberta. It regulated the safe, responsible, and efficient development of Alberta's energy resources: oil, natural gas, oil sands, coal, and pipelines. The ERCB's mandate was to ensure that the discovery, development, and delivery of Alberta's energy resources took place in a manner that was fair, responsible, and in the public interest. The ERCB was dissolved in 2013 and its functions were transferred to the Alberta Energy Regulator.
Learn more about Energy Resources Conservation Board
Industry
Founded
1938

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