Position Summary/About the role
Job Title: Data Architect - Senior
Duration: 6 Months ( Possibility of extension 24 months)
Location: Remote Description: Data Architect, Digital Regulatory Assurance System (DRAS) The client 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 client 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.
Required 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.
- 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 similar capacity
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
Competencies: - In line with the Alberta Public Service competency model, the successful candidate will show:
- Systems Thinking: Understands how DRAS, the data platform, and the geospatial platform connect, and anticipates downstream impacts of design choices.
- Creative Problem Solving: Finds practical, innovative solutions to complex integration and data challenges.
- Agility: Adapts quickly to changing priorities and evolving technology in a fast-paced environment.
- Drive for Results: Delivers high-quality architecture that produces measurable value for the program.
- Build Collaborative Environments: Works effectively across teams, ministries, and disciplines to reach shared goals.
- Develop Networks: Builds relationships with stakeholders and technical partners to advance the work.
- Develop Self and Others: Shares knowledge, mentors colleagues, and keeps learning.
Additional information to suppliers: - Per worker model below this is a Remote role.
Working Hours/location: - Standard Hours of work are 8:15 to 4:30 with a 1 hr lunch break Alberta time, Monday through Friday excluding holidays observed by the province.
- Work must be done within Canada
Incumbency: Background check required: - The Supplier shall, prior to commencement of the Services, provide the Province, on its request and at no cost to the Province, with criminal record checks.
Mandatory Training Courses: - Once hired the resource will be required to complete all mandatory training which includes but not limited to Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, Security/Cybersecurity, Information Management, and Respect in the Workplace. There may also be other mandatory and/or optional training.
Anticipated Interviews dates: - Interviews are expected to be held between Oct 20-23. This is an estimate only.
- Refer to the Job Posting attachments for the proposed form of contract applicable to this Contingent Resource Request
Equipment requirements: - The Contractor holds sole responsibility for supplying all physical workspace infrastructure and equipment. This includes providing computers, software, printers, office supplies, desks, and chair. 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 client'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.
Scoring Methodology: - Financial/Pricing: 5%
- Resource Qualifications: 35%
- Interview Process: 60%
SUBMISSION MUST INCLUDE:
RESUME
TO PROCEED TO THE NEXT STAGE, YOUR RESUME MUST CLEARLY DESCRIBE ALL REQUIRED EXPERIENCE WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE SPECIFIC JOB OR PROJECT WHERE IT WAS GAINED. SIMPLY COPYING THE QUALIFICATION WITHOUT THIS EXPLANATION WILL NOT BE SUFFICIENT.
EACH JOB/PROJECT MUST CONTAIN THE TERM OF THE JOB/PROJECT IN THE FORMAT MMM/YYYY to MMM/YYYY.
THREE REFERENCES, FOR WHOM SIMILAR WORK HAS BEEN PERFORMED, MUST BE PROVIDED. THE MOST RECENT REFERENCE SHOULD BE LISTED FIRST. REFERENCE CHECKS MAY OR MAY NOT BE COMPLETED TO ASSIST WITH SCORING THE PROPOSED RESOURCE.
Skill Matrix: The Supplier certifies that, following the exercise of reasonable due diligence, it is not aware of any actual, potential, or perceived conflict of interest involving the Supplier or any of its employees, subcontractors, or agents in relation to this job posting or any resulting contract. The Supplier undertakes to immediately disclose to the Province any such conflict of interest that arises or becomes known prior to contract award. The Supplier further certifies that all information provided, whether on its own behalf or on behalf of a candidate, is true, accurate, and complete to the best of its knowledge.
College or Bachelor degree in Computer Science or a related field of study.
Experience designing, planning, implementing and supporting enterprise solution databases in an environment equivalent in size and complexity to the Government of Alberta.
8 years of experience
Experience documenting enterprise solution databases in an environment equivalent in size and complexity to the Government of Alberta.
8 years of experience
Experience in performing threat and risk assessments and presenting recommendations for risk mitigation to senior management.
6 years of experience
Experience providing leadership, planning, estimating, and presentations of ideas and solutions.
Experience with enterprise architecture principles and associated best practices, methods, standards, tools, policies, and processes.
8 years of experience
Experience working as a Data Architect in an enterprise IT environment equivalent in size and complexity to the Government of Alberta.
8 years of experience
Certification in The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF).
Experience designing and implementing enterprise architecture database plans and models that help align an organization's data, information or technology with its required business capabilities in a large enterprise IT environment equivalent in size and complexity to the Government of Alberta.
5 years of experience
Experience in using a tool for architecture models such as: PowerDesigner, ER Studio, Er-win, BPwin, Rational Rose.
4 years of experience
Experience project managing application development projects using Agile sprint development.
4 years of experience
Experience with cloud computing or big data platforms and infrastructure.
5 years of experience
Experience with enterprise business intelligence and performance management products. Specifically Cognos BI Suite, Microsoft SQL Server Services, MS Power BI (Query, View) or MicroStrategy.
4 years of experience
Experience working as a Data Architect designing and implementing enterprise database solutions within an organization of equivalent size and complexity to the Government of Alberta.
4 years of experience
Experience working with developing SQL databases.
5 years of experience
Experience working with implementing a SQL data warehouse.
5 years of experience
Experience working with querying data with Transact-SQL.
5 years of experience
Prior experience with the Government of Alberta (GoA) is considered a strong asset.
5 years of experience
