Bettina van Nieuwkerk
Rocky Mountain House,AB
Summary
Motivated and eager to continue challenging and educating myself to better serve the residents of Clearwater County whether in community services or in our agriculture sector. Nearly 10 years of municipal experience, passionate about agriculture, our surrounding environment and the Community within which I live. Known for adaptability, effective collaboration, and delivering measurable outcomes in dynamic environments. Strong communication and problem-solving abilities, coupled with focus on fostering productive and positive team culture.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Acting Director of Ag and Community Services
Clearwater County
01.2025 - Current
- Currently overseeing daily operations of the department, ensuring smooth workflow and timely completion of tasks.
- Utilizing leadership and problem-solving skills to maintain team efficiency and organize workflows in a timely manner.
- Ensuring timely response to inquiries, addressing concerns, and finding effective solutions.
- Actively mentoring staff members in their career development, sharing knowledge from years of past field experience.
- Prepare Council Agenda items and present during Council meetings
- Prepare Agricultural Service Board (ASB) meeting Agendas, Agenda items and assist Chair with meetings
Landcare Supervisor
Clearwater County
03.2020 - Current
- Support and increase sustainable agriculture engagement throughout Clearwater County with subsidy programs such as Caring for my Land.
- Effectively participate in natural resource management activities that address critical agricultural sustainability and environmental trends and issues.
- Partner with various groups and organizations to support BMP project uptake and completion, by landowners in Clearwater County (Cows and Fish, CAFLA, ACA, Trout Unlimited to name a few)
- Manage and administer environmental program tools and equipment, loaner and rental agreements
- Coordinate, plan and offer workshops and information sessions on timely topics and concerns in agriculture, horticulture or environmental disciplines.
- Build and establish rapport with local educators and students; provide educational programming on agricultural and environmental topics to various age groups.
- Seek out and apply for external grants that can improve financial sustainability and long term viability of programming, along with grant reporting once received.
- Inform landowners of grant opportunities and assist with grant applications and submissions
- Provide technical assistance and advice to the Landcare Board; assist with meeting agendas, reporting and minutes.
- Assist with the administration and delivery of Agricultural Service Board programs and projects.
- Manage and administer the Sasquatch and Partners program within Clearwater County and support partnering municipalities in messaging and public outreach.
- Alberta Association of Agricultural Fieldman (AAAF) - Active member and sit on various committees to assist with events, conferences, scholarships etc.
- Medicine River Watershed Society - Board member - support and promote watershed health in our region.
- Alberta Invasive Species Council (AISC)- sit on the Board of Directors - help guide the organization on provincial invasive species management and public education.
Assistant Manager of Agricultural Services
Camrose County
10.2016 - 03.2020
- Responsible for the supervision, training and guidance of permanent and seasonal staff (agricultural foreman, seed cleaning plant manager and staff, agricultural services admin, weed inspectors, spray crews and parks crew)
- Coordinate staff, equipment and materials for the following services: custom weed control on private and public lands, soil sampling and result interpretations, pest inspections and shelterbelt consultations
- Implemented and tailored Asset Management Tracking software (Citywide) for Agricultural Services Department and part of staff team who piloted the program
- Serve as front line contact assisting producers and rate payers with identification of crop, livestock, tree and horticultural pests or diseases and remedy concerns
- Assist in operational instruction and tracking of rental equipment
- Facilitate delivery of environmental programming; assist producers with development of Environmental Farm Plans (EFP), CAP grant applications and promote agricultural best management practices and environmentally sustainable agriculture
- Conduct public presentations at local producer meetings and community events
- Create public awareness of agricultural service board programs, initiatives and emerging matters through workshops, newsletter articles, website and social media
- Coordinate and facilitate Agricultural Service Board meetings
- Assist in the development of budgets for Agricultural Service Board programs and services
- Perform duties and act as a municipal inspector under the Weed Control Act, Soil Conservation Act, Agricultural Pests Act
- Create and maintain detailed records of weed and pest inspections and their control
- Agricultural Communications Committee – coordinate activities between the Agricultural Service Board and Agricultural Societies (x6) in Camrose County acting as liaison and recording secretary
- Liaison for Ag-Intel Committee and Local Foods Committee; develop, coordinate and implement initiatives in the surrounding community
- Conduct facility safety inspections, ensure safety policies are administered and enforced
- Watershed Management Planning (WMP) Steering Committee member for the Battle River Watershed Alliance
- Assisted manager in all aspects of business operations along with taking on Acting Manager role for 5 months.
Environmental Consultant
North Shore Environmental Consultants Inc.
10.2011 - 10.2016
- Lead of reporting/data management group mentoring and supervising employees in completion and interpretation of report appendices
- Involved in all aspects of preparing, formatting, editing and preliminary review of Phase II ESA reports, Spill Remediation Reports, DSAs and Reclamation Certificate Applications
- Interpreting laboratory analytical results for soils, surface and groundwater data, survey drawings and Aerial Photographs
- Field Experience in completing DSAs, Phase II ESAs and Emergency Spill Response field administration
- Develop analytical tables for soils, surface and groundwater laboratory data using applicable guidelines
- Coordinate and facilitate landowner and operator interviews
- Manage sites within the database (Peleton Siteview)
- Implement and utilize geotechnical Software (gINT) companywide for borehole logs, ground water monitoring wells and geotechnical cross sections
- Competent in compiling ground disturbance packages, emergency response plans, waste approval applications, crossings agreements and Record of Site Condition Forms
- Former member of the Health and Safety Committee aimed at providing North Shore with the development of best management practices in safety, update Health and Safety manual and developing new policies
Special Projects Coordinator
Battle River Watershed Alliance
02.2011 - 10.2011
- Conduct policy research to develop a drought management plan
- Contracted as project lead for the City of Camrose solid waste (composting and recycling) educational programming
Seasonal Conservation Officer
Alberta Parks
06.2009 - 08.2010
- Responsible for public safety, understand and enforce relevant legislation, generate public awareness of fish and wildlife conservation and regulations, organizing enforcement files, and conducting public presentations.
Education
Bachelor of Science Degree - Environmental Science
University of Alberta, Augustana Campus
01.2010
Skills
- Pesticide Applicator Certificate (Agricultural, Industrial, Landscape)
- Civic Excellence - Local Government Supervisory Essentials Course
- Incident Command System Training – Levels 100 & 200
- Form 7 permit
- Standard First Aid – Level C (CPR & AED)
- Licensed Alberta Trapper
- Class 5 Drivers License and available abstract
Languages
English
German
Timeline
Acting Director of Ag and Community Services
Clearwater County
01.2025 - Current
Landcare Supervisor
Clearwater County
03.2020 - Current
Assistant Manager of Agricultural Services
Camrose County
10.2016 - 03.2020
Environmental Consultant
North Shore Environmental Consultants Inc.
10.2011 - 10.2016
Special Projects Coordinator
Battle River Watershed Alliance
02.2011 - 10.2011
Seasonal Conservation Officer
Alberta Parks
06.2009 - 08.2010
Bachelor of Science Degree - Environmental Science
University of Alberta, Augustana Campus
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