[Hiring] Senior Data Architect @emergiTEL

Role Description

The Government of Alberta is modernizing how it regulates and assures environmental outcomes across the province. The Digital Regulatory Assurance System (DRAS) is central to that work. It supports applications, approvals, compliance, and monitoring activities that protect Alberta's air, land, water, and biodiversity.

We are looking for an experienced Data Architect to design and lead data integration between DRAS, our Databricks-based Data Management Platform, and the Alberta Geospatial Platform. You will set the direction for how regulatory, environmental, and spatial data moves, connects, and is governed across these systems. The goal is trusted, timely, and reusable data for regulators, decision-makers, and Albertans.

You will join a high-performing, multidisciplinary team in a fast-paced, agile environment. The team includes developers, data engineers, GIS specialists, business analysts, and product owners.

Key Responsibilities

• Architecture and Design:
  • Define and maintain the target-state data architecture for integrating DRAS, the Databricks Data Management Platform, and the Alberta Geospatial Platform.
  • Design conceptual, logical, and physical data models for regulatory, environmental, and geospatial data domains.
  • Establish integration patterns (batch, near-real-time, event-driven, API-based, change data capture) suited to each use case.
  • Design lakehouse structures on Databricks, including medallion (bronze/silver/gold) layers, Delta Lake tables, and Unity Catalog organization.
  • Architect spatial data flows that preserve geometry, coordinate reference systems, and spatial accuracy across platforms.
• Integration and Delivery:
  • Lead the design of data pipelines and interfaces between systems, working closely with data engineers and developers during build.
  • Define data contracts, API specifications, and interface agreements between system owners.
  • Resolve complex integration issues involving data quality, schema changes, latency, and system dependencies.
  • Take part in agile ceremonies (sprint planning, backlog refinement, reviews) and turn architecture into actionable user stories.
• Data Governance, Security, and Quality:
  • Embed data governance practices, including metadata management, lineage, data classification, and master and reference data.
  • Ensure designs meet Government of Alberta standards for information security, privacy (including Alberta's access-to-information and privacy legislation), and records management.
  • Define data quality rules, validation frameworks, and monitoring approaches across integrated systems.
  • Apply role-based access controls and data-sharing policies appropriate to data sensitivity.
• Leadership and Collaboration:
  • Serve as the trusted data architecture advisor to program leadership, product owners, and technical teams.
  • Work with business areas to understand regulatory processes and turn them into data requirements.
  • Coordinate with enterprise architecture, cybersecurity, and other ministries' platform teams to keep the work aligned with GoA standards and roadmaps.
  • Produce clear architecture documentation, diagrams, and decision records.
  • Mentor team members and promote data architecture best practices.

Qualifications

• University degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Geomatics, or a related field.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in data architecture, data engineering, or data integration, with at least 3 years in a data architect role.
• Hands-on experience designing solutions on Databricks, including Delta Lake, Spark (PySpark/SQL), and Unity Catalog.
• Strong experience with data modelling (relational, dimensional, and lakehouse approaches).
• Proven experience designing enterprise integration patterns, including REST APIs, ETL/ELT, event streaming, and change data capture.
• Experience with cloud data platforms, preferably Microsoft Azure (Data Lake Storage, Data Factory, Event Hubs, Key Vault).
• Experience with ServiceNow Integration.
• Experience in the public sector, ideally with government regulatory systems or programs.
• Experience integrating with geospatial platforms, and working knowledge of geospatial data concepts, formats, and standards.
• Solid understanding of data governance, metadata management, data quality, and data security principles.
• Experience working in agile delivery teams, with experience in public sector in a similar capacity.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.

Work Requirements

• This is a remote role.
• Work must be done within Canada.
• Standard hours of work are 8:15 AM to 4:30 PM with a 1-hour lunch break Alberta time, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays observed by the Province.
• A criminal record check is required prior to commencement of services.

Equipment Requirements

• The Contractor holds sole responsibility for supplying all physical workspace infrastructure and equipment, including computers, software, printers, office supplies, desks, and chairs.
• The computer must run a modern version of Windows to ensure maximum compatibility with remote access systems.
• Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) and necessary remote-connectivity software will be installed directly onto the resource's computer.
• The Province will ensure all Contractor resources are securely provisioned with the appropriate network access and official credentials needed to log into the Government of Alberta's systems.
• The fixed rate quoted must be inclusive of all overhead, office space, and equipment, including supplies, administrative burden, mark-up, and all other costs to perform the Services for the duration of the Contract.

Anticipated Interviews

• Interviews are expected to be held between October 20–23. This is an estimate only.