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Project Manager, Contaminated Sites - Job Opportunity at Government of the Northwest Territories

Yellowknife, Canada
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: July 1, 2025
On-site
CAD 111,000-132,000 per year

Benefits

Government pension plan providing superior retirement security compared to private sector defined contribution plans
Comprehensive health and dental coverage typically exceeding private sector offerings
Job security and tenure protections inherent in government employment
Professional development opportunities including funding for PMP certification within 18 months
Access to specialized environmental training and conferences in contaminated site management

Key Responsibilities

Lead strategic delivery of comprehensive Environmental Site Assessments (Phase I/II/III) that directly impact territorial environmental policy and public health protection
Drive risk assessment initiatives and remedial action planning that influence multi-million dollar environmental remediation decisions across the Northwest Territories
Orchestrate multidisciplinary consultant teams and technical specialists to execute complex contaminated site projects with territorial-wide environmental implications
Develop and implement sophisticated project management frameworks using industry-standard methodologies to ensure regulatory compliance and stakeholder satisfaction
Manage critical environmental monitoring programs that inform government policy and protect community health in remote northern communities

Requirements

Education

An undergraduate degree from an accredited university in an applicable engineering, geology, geoscience field or an applicable environmental science field

Experience

minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible related experience

Required Skills

project management principles contaminated site assessment remediation project management environmental monitoring consultant management multidisciplinary team leadership

Certifications

A valid driver's licence Project Management Professional (PMP) certification required within 18 months of hire Eligibility for membership with the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists (NAPEG) would be an asset
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Industry Trends

The contaminated sites remediation industry is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by increasing regulatory scrutiny and Indigenous land rights settlements, particularly in northern Canada where legacy mining and military sites require extensive environmental restoration. Federal and territorial governments are allocating billions in remediation funding through programs like the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan, creating sustained demand for qualified project managers. Climate change is accelerating the urgency of contaminated site management in permafrost regions, as thawing ground conditions are exposing previously stable contaminants and creating new migration pathways. This is driving demand for specialized northern expertise in contaminated site assessment and remediation. The integration of Indigenous knowledge and community engagement into contaminated site management is becoming mandatory, requiring project managers to develop cultural competency and collaborative approaches that respect traditional land use and community concerns in project planning and execution.

Salary Evaluation

The salary range of CAD 111,000-132,000 is highly competitive for the northern Canadian market, representing approximately 15-20% premium over southern equivalents to account for cost of living and talent scarcity. This compensation level reflects the specialized nature of contaminated sites work and the government's need to attract qualified professionals to remote locations.

Role Significance

Typically manages project teams of 5-15 multidisciplinary professionals including environmental consultants, engineers, geologists, and technical specialists, while coordinating with larger government departments and Indigenous communities affected by contaminated sites.
This is a substantial mid-to-senior level position with significant autonomy and territorial-wide impact, requiring independent decision-making on complex environmental issues that affect public health and government liability. The role carries considerable responsibility for managing multi-million dollar remediation projects and coordinating with senior government officials and external stakeholders.

Key Projects

Legacy mining site remediation projects involving soil and groundwater contamination assessment and cleanup Former military installation environmental assessments and remediation planning Petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated site risk assessment and monitoring program development Community-based contaminated site investigations in remote northern settlements Multi-phase environmental site assessments for government property transfers and disposals

Success Factors

Deep technical expertise in northern environmental conditions including permafrost hydrology, cold climate remediation technologies, and Arctic ecosystem impacts is essential for effective project delivery in the challenging NWT environment. Strong stakeholder management and cultural sensitivity skills are critical for navigating complex relationships with Indigenous communities, government departments, and environmental consultants while respecting traditional land use and community concerns. Exceptional project management capabilities with proven ability to coordinate complex multi-year projects involving diverse technical disciplines, regulatory requirements, and community engagement processes within government procurement and reporting frameworks. Comprehensive understanding of Canadian environmental legislation, particularly territorial environmental assessment processes and federal contaminated sites policies that govern project scope, funding, and regulatory compliance requirements.

Market Demand

High demand driven by significant government investment in legacy contaminated site cleanup, particularly in northern territories where mining and military activities have left extensive environmental liabilities requiring professional remediation management.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and advanced project management methodology expertise are absolutely essential as this role involves coordinating complex multi-year projects with strict regulatory timelines, diverse stakeholder groups, and significant public accountability for successful delivery and budget management. Northern environmental expertise including understanding of permafrost hydrology, cold climate geotechnical conditions, and Arctic ecosystem impacts is critical as conventional remediation approaches often require significant modification for northern conditions and seasonal accessibility constraints. Stakeholder engagement and Indigenous consultation capabilities are fundamental requirements as all contaminated site projects must incorporate community input, respect traditional land use, and maintain positive relationships with Indigenous governments who hold significant authority over land access and project approvals.

Beneficial Skills

Hydrogeology and contaminant fate and transport modeling expertise would significantly enhance effectiveness in designing monitoring programs and predicting long-term remediation success in complex northern groundwater systems affected by permafrost and seasonal freeze-thaw cycles. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing capabilities are increasingly valuable for managing contaminated sites across vast territories where traditional site investigation methods are logistically challenging and expensive, enabling more efficient project planning and monitoring approaches. Risk communication and public engagement expertise beyond basic stakeholder consultation would provide competitive advantage in managing community concerns about contaminated sites and building public confidence in government remediation efforts.

Unique Aspects

This role offers rare opportunity to work on some of Canada's most challenging contaminated sites in remote northern environments where traditional remediation approaches must be adapted for extreme climate conditions, permafrost considerations, and limited infrastructure access.
The position provides unique exposure to Indigenous community engagement and traditional ecological knowledge integration, offering professional development in culturally responsive environmental management that is increasingly valuable across the environmental consulting sector.
Unlike private sector roles, this position offers involvement in major territorial policy development and regulatory framework design, providing strategic-level experience in environmental governance that extends beyond individual project management.
The role includes opportunity to work on high-profile legacy contamination sites with national significance, including former military installations and historic mining operations that require innovative remediation approaches and substantial public investment.

Career Growth

Career advancement to senior management roles typically occurs within 3-5 years given the specialized expertise developed and limited talent pool in northern environmental management, with opportunities for both continued government service and transition to high-level consulting roles.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Environmental Program Manager overseeing territorial contaminated sites portfolio Director of Environmental Assessment and Monitoring within territorial government Principal Environmental Consultant specializing in northern contaminated sites Regional Environmental Manager for federal departments operating in northern Canada

Company Overview

Government of the Northwest Territories

The Government of the Northwest Territories operates as the territorial government serving 45,000 residents across 1.3 million square kilometers, with the Department of Environment and Climate Change holding critical responsibility for managing vast natural resources including some of Canada's most significant mining regions and pristine wilderness areas requiring environmental protection.

As the territorial government, GNWT holds a unique position as both regulator and major landowner, with substantial influence over northern Canada's environmental policy and significant budget authority for contaminated sites remediation funded through federal-territorial agreements and resource revenue sharing.
GNWT serves as the primary environmental authority for the Northwest Territories, working closely with Indigenous governments, federal departments, and industry to manage environmental challenges across a region containing major diamond mines, oil and gas operations, and significant historical contamination from military and mining activities.
Government culture emphasizing collaboration with Indigenous communities, long-term environmental stewardship, and public service delivery in a unique northern context where environmental decisions have immediate impacts on small communities and traditional land use patterns.
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