Data Architect, Digital Regulatory Assurance System (DRAS)
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.
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