Housing Advisor

Role Responsibilities

Do you have experience with community-based delivery models for housing programs, strong financial and analytical skills, and a passion for supporting Albertans in need of housing solutions? If so, the Housing Division may have the perfect opportunity for you.

This position reports to the Manager, South Housing Operations, the Housing Division works with over 300 housing providers – including municipalities, more than 80 housing management bodies, non-profits and private organizations to provide stable and sustainable lower-cost housing for over 105,000 low-income families, individuals, seniors, people with special needs and gender-based violence supports.

You will be providing financial analysis, monitoring, and reporting services to ensure they are aware of and provide information related to accountability policies, standards, and monitoring/compliance guidelines.

As a Housing Advisor you will conduct on-site operational reviews to ensure program delivery complies with legislation and any established agreements and policies. The Housing Advisor will provide interpretation of the Alberta Housing Act and Regulations and provide written and verbal responses to HMBs, Albertans, Government departments and elected officials on critical housing issues that may require resolution.

You will be representing the division at public events, tours, and attend meetings with housing providers and stakeholders to explain government requirements.

In this role you will develop and manage relationships with housing management bodies, and works closely with Housing Division representatives, cross-ministry partners, municipal and federal government partners, and external housing stakeholders.

You will provide expert advice on financial accountability requirements and recommended approaches for housing program delivery. This includes analyzing budgets, audits, business plans, and other submissions, and offering guidance and recommendations during the allocation of approved budgets. You will also develop funding documents and correspondence, and review housing provider and program-related data to respond to inquiries, identify trends, and report on housing program and capital project outcomes.

To succeed in this role, you will need strong financial and analytical skills to interpret data and compare financial ratios, excellent verbal and written communication abilities, effective conflict management skills for handling sensitive issues, and exceptional relationship-building skills to foster positive partnerships with internal teams and external stakeholders.

Please click on this LINK to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:

https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

As the Housing Advisor, in addition to your education and experience, you will demonstrate well-honed competencies in the following areas:

• Systems Thinking: to identify emerging issues, challenges, and opportunities, provide options for resolution and develop recommendations to prevent or mitigate legal or political risk associated with consultation initiatives. 
• Build Collaborative Environments: Teamwork-oriented to collaborate with ministry staff to plan, implement and assess specific programs to ensure the delivery of an integrated consultation program across the province.
• Drive for Results: Knowing what outcomes are important and maximizing resources to achieve results that are aligned with the goals of the organization, while maintaining accountability to each other and external stakeholders.
• Develop Networks: Proactively develop and maintain effective partnerships with multiple stakeholders to ensure a clear understanding of diverse interests when supporting the engagement of Indigenous communities and the achievement of collaborative outcomes.
• Agility: anticipate and adapt by focusing on long-term goals, changing the way we approach situations, using new ideas and solutions to achieve results. 

Qualifications

Requirements:

University graduation – bachelor’s degree in a related field, plus 4 years progressively responsible related experience; or equivalent as described below. Experience with budgeting and forecasting. A valid driver's license is required as travel within the province of Alberta is a requirement for the role.

Equivalency: Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of:

1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or 1 year of experience for 1 year of education

Assets:

• Experience working with housing providers, non-profit organizations and knowledge of affordable, social and seniors housing projects.
• Knowledge of best practices related to the housing industry and an understanding of government housing programs.
• Experience with legal agreements and/or interpreting legislation.
• Knowledge of Stronger Foundations affordable housing strategy and have the ability to work closely with and implement changes to policies and agreements within the department and with other Ministries
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. 

Notes

Hours of work are 36.25 weekly, Monday to Friday.

This competition will be used to fill a full-time position in Calgary. 

• Please include a cover letter that clearly outlines your suitability for the role and highlights how your experience aligns with the position's requirements.
• Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening. A Criminal Record Check will only need to be provided upon request.  Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate.  Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

• Candidates must be eligible to work in Canada. 

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.ca.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.