Issues Specialist/ Senior Issues Coordinator

Role Responsibilities

The Disability Services Division is recruiting for three issues positions – Issues Specialist (two positions – North and South Zone branches) and Senior Issues Coordinator (one position - Disability Policy and Supports branch).

The Issues Specialist/Senior Issues Coordinator is responsible for managing client issues with program areas, ministry partners and service providers on a daily basis; supporting internal communication with employees; and supporting external communication with Albertans and stakeholders. 

Position Responsibilities    
The positions require a broad understanding of the ministry’s programs and services and the ability to conduct careful research and analysis of information, manage and understand issues and recommended actions, provide advice and counsel, develop excellent working relationships within and outside of the branch, develop strategic communications plans and have strong project management and writing skills. 

The incumbents will engage with diverse internal and external stakeholders; represent the division, branch and ministry’s priorities; review and edit written materials; address service delivery concerns; collaborate with staff within and outside of their branch, and respond to enquiries.  

Issues Specialist (North and South Zone): 

Responsibilities include:

• Manage and support issues management activities in the delivery zones
• Provide internal communication counsel and communications support to management and staff.
• Support external communications initiatives.

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

Senior Issues Coordinator (Disability Policy and Supports branch):

Responsibilities include:

• Manage and support issues management activities in the Disability Policy and Supports branch.
• Lead, participate and contribute to projects that impact the direction of service delivery and policy of disability programs in Alberta.

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.

Below is a list of the APS Competencies to assist you:

• Agility: you will need to provide results in a complex, diverse and changing environment.
• Drive for Results: you will work with your team to set goals and priorities and to deliver outcomes that are consistent with the direction of the department.
• Develop Self and Others: you will drive by example a team culture that is focused on continuous learning and growth and encourage self-development through experience sharing.
• Build Collaborative Environments: you will establish and maintain business relationships with clients, encourage or facilitate discussions and build long lasting relationships.
• Develop Networks: you will seek out input from a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to solve complex problems and provide the best solutions.
• Systems thinking: you will consider the whole system when developing, evaluating and implementing process and technology change.
• Creative Problem Solving: Have the ability to assess options and implications in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standard:  University graduation in a related field plus two years progressively responsible related experience; or equivalent as described below. 

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. 

The following will be considered Assets:

• Superior verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of the ministry’s structures, role, responsibilities and priorities.
• Knowledge of the ministry’s programs and services.
• Understanding of government and ministry protocol for responding to correspondence (often complex issues).
• Knowledge about Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, Outlook, Publisher, Teams, SharePoint); tracking and reporting tools (ARTS, InfoMart); client systems (FSCDIS, CSS, Mobius); or possess the willingness to learn the required technical knowledge.
• Understanding of issue resolution principles and ability to analyze and lead discussion on complex issues to arrive at solutions that achieve the objectives of diverse stakeholders.
• Understanding of communications, project management and event planning processes.
• Knowledge of the Protection of Privacy Act and practices.
  
  

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.  Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

Working location: Issues Specialist - North and South Zone, specific location to be negotiated; Senior Issues Coordinator to be based in Edmonton.

This posting will be used to fill 1 permanent position in North, 1 permanent position in South Zone and 1 permanent position in Disability Policy and Supports branch to be based in Edmonton.

Hours of work: 36.25 hours per week, Monday - Friday

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part time or full time.

Your cover letter and resume will be used as a screening tool to assess your written communication.

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. 

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.
•    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.