Occupational Health and Safety Evaluation Lead

Role Responsibilities

Evaluating programs, policies and initiatives demonstrates effective oversight and assures Albertans that the province’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Program is achieving expected results and providing value. In order to ensure that the department meets its commitments to accountability for the OHS Program, the OHS Evaluation Lead oversees the development of approaches for determining and demonstrating whether program objectives are met, including the design and implementation of information-gathering strategies to support continuous improvement.

As a member of the Strategic Evidence and Action (SEA) team, and reporting to the Occupational Disease Scientific Lead, this position provides expertise and leadership in evaluation methodology and analysis for the OHS Program and the Safe, Fair, and Healthy Workplaces Division. This includes supporting the commitment to review the OHS legislation (Act, regulations, code) and its administration every five years, leading the evaluation of the Prevention Initiative, and leading the implementation and management of a Performance Measurement Framework (PMF), Evaluation Plan and logic model for the OHS Program. 

The position promotes the development of the OHS Program’s evaluation capacity and the use of evaluation results in evidence-based decision-making and continuous quality improvement processes. The OHS Evaluation Lead supports OHS Program priorities by generating information that can be used as the basis for policy and program development, delivery, decision-making, strategic and operational planning. The OHS Evaluation Lead advances a participatory model of evaluation and thereby enables OHS Program staff and stakeholders to directly contribute to, and develop an understanding of, evaluation theory and practice. This requires a high degree of leadership, communication, problem solving, creativity, and project management skills.    

To be successful in this role, you will need to:

• Have a high level of knowledge and experience in evaluation theory, methodology, and practice.
• Apply innovative and creative approaches to assessing and resolving evaluation issues in consultation with staff, external consultants and stakeholders.
• Work independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrate strong skills in oral and written communication, data collection and management, data interpretation and presentation, and quality assurance of data.
• Identify the need for, plan, and implement new evaluation activities. 
• Lead and manage multiple evaluation projects at a time.
• Establish and sustain relationships and rapport.
• Demonstrate strong leadership skills to train staff, manage contract activities, develop goals and evaluate progress. 
• Complete assignments often on short timelines
• Use statistical software programs (e.g., SAS), qualitative analytical software programs (e.g., NVivo), spreadsheet applications (e.g., Excel), and presentation software (e.g., MS Teams, Excel and PowerPoint).

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.

In this role, you will contribute to our team by demonstrating the following behavioral competencies: 

• Systems thinking: Understands that work done within the Alberta Public Service (APS) is part of a larger integrated and inter-related environment and impacts a variety of other groups/projects inside and outside the APS and keeps broader impacts and connections in mind. 
• Develops Networks: Makes connections between OHS and Division programs as well as external initiatives, Communities of Practice, and programs related to evaluation and the department’s mandate.
• Drive for results: Through the generation of evidence, this position advises and supports the Alberta OHS Program in decision making, policy development, compliance activities, and prevention practices. The role is considered critical to the successful development and continuous improvement of the OHS Program. Knowing what outcomes are important and maximizing program resources to achieve results that are aligned with the aims of the OHS system are required, while maintaining accountability to team and external stakeholders.
• Building collaborative environments: The Evaluation Lead is an expert in evaluation methodology and has a high commitment to strong collaboration among stakeholders. The role fosters collaborative relationships with staff across the Safe, Fair and Healthy Workplaces Division to support evaluation initiatives ranging from individual programs to province-wide efforts.
• Agility: Effective evaluation often requires meeting emerging needs and identifying alternative approaches in unclear situations. Additionally, being able to recognize the importance of timing and being prepared to take action when appropriate will be essential.

Qualifications

Requirements:

• Minimum completed university degree in a related field (e.g., statistics, economics, business administration, social sciences, or health). A graduate degree or specialized evaluation training is preferred.
• Minimum four (4) years of experience managing evaluations involving legislation, regulations, policies, programs, projects and initiatives.
• Recent experience with evaluation methodology, including but not limited to evaluability assessment, formative/summative evaluation techniques, evaluation planning, evaluation framework, logic model, theory of change, performance measures and indicators development, impact and process evaluation.

Equivalencies:

• Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a Bachelor’s degree.

Preferences will be given to candidates with:

• Eligibility to be a Certified Evaluator in the Canadian Evaluation Society or equivalent organization or intent to work towards certification.
• Demonstrated and strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of social research design and methodology, including qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis techniques, and statistics.
• Knowledge and competency in project management principles, processes and requirements.  Project Management Certification considered an asset.
• General knowledge of relevant policies and regulations impacting the functional responsibilities of the OHS Program.
• Ability to collect, assess, and analyze data and information from a variety of sources to support evaluation; summarize findings, develop conclusions and recommendations in plain language.
• Ability to foster and encourage a culture that includes communities of practice and a commitment to continuous improvement for evaluation capacity.

Assets:

• Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) legislation and other related policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of OHS legislation, Workers’ Compensation Act, and Employment Standards rules.

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

Additional Position Details:

• This is a permanent position that can be based in multiple locations within Alberta, standard work hours are Monday to Friday - 36.25 hours per week. 
• Position location:
  • Can be based in Edmonton, Calgary, or Red Deer.
  • Please note that current team members are located in Edmonton.

A cover letter is required. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Recruitment Process:

Please ensure your resume highlights how your previous work experience is related to the qualifications and requirements for this position. Please clearly state the employment dates on your resume with the month and the year.

If a security screening is required;

• Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening. 
• 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 a modified work schedule agreement.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.