Issues Specialist

Role Responsibilities

Are you a skilled writer and communicator who can analyze complex information, coordinate responses, and work effectively with diverse partners?

The Ministry of Assisted Living and Social Services is seeking an Issues Specialist to support Disability Services Delivery. Reporting to the Issues Manager, you will help manage client and stakeholder issues, coordinate responses with program areas and ministry partners, and support internal and external communications.

In this role, you will research and analyze information, prepare clear and accurate written materials, provide communications advice, support projects and events, and respond to enquiries. Your work will help ensure information is timely, consistent, sensitive to client needs, and aligned with ministry policies and priorities.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinating action requests, telephone action requests, briefing notes, input documents, and email or letter responses.
• Working with program areas, ministry partners, and other branches to gather information and prepare complete and accurate responses.
• Reviewing and editing written materials to ensure appropriate style, tone, accuracy, consistency, and responsiveness.
• Tracking action requests and other assignments to completion using internal tracking and reporting systems.
• Monitoring emerging issues, service-delivery concerns, media coverage, regional inboxes, and feedback channels.
• Identifying trends and helping develop timely strategies, key messages, and information updates.
• Providing guidance to staff regarding action-request processes, correspondence, messaging, style, and tone.
• Developing internal communications materials, key messages, communication plans, newsletters, presentations, and digital content.
• Maintaining internal communication platforms, including SharePoint and Microsoft Teams.
• Supporting communication projects, operational planning, quarterly reporting, regional visits, town halls, stakeholder events, and ministerial tours.
• Working with Communications and Public Engagement on external messaging, materials, events, and public-facing information.
• Responding professionally to enquiries from clients, service providers, stakeholders, community partners, and members of the public.

The Job Description is provided for further details on 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.

• Drive for Results
• Creative Problem Solving
• Agility
• Build Collaborative Environments
• Develop Networks
• Systems Thinking
• Develop Self and Others

Qualifications

Requirements:
University graduation in a related field plus 2 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.

Assets

Experience in the following:

• preparing government or executive-level correspondence and briefing materials.
• working in social services or a public-sector environment.
• supporting stakeholder events, employee events, or communication projects.
• Microsoft 365 applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, Lists, PowerPoint, Power BI Power Automate and Publisher.
• tracking, reporting, design, automation, or client-information systems.
• Adobe Creative Suite or creating print and digital communication products.
• Knowledge of privacy requirements and practices.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.

Notes

•    Hours of work are 36.25 hours weekly.
•    Location: Calgary, AB

Candidates must be eligible to work in Canada. A current work visa is required.

Final candidates will be required to undergo a criminal records check (CRC). 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.  

Pre screening questions will need to be completed as part of your application process for this competition. As part of the selection process candidates may be invited to a written assessment prior to an interview. Please ensure you provide a current email address in your resume.

Links and information on what we have to offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP)  
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information.
• Professional learning and development.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.