Accreditation Officer

Role Responsibilities

The Accreditation Officer will be required to lead a cross-department collaborative team that includes Field Services, Business Operations and Stakeholder Supports, School Finance, Financial Reporting and Accountability and other sectors and divisions to ensure an appropriate level of oversight and assurances are in place to ensure the delivery of educational programming that is in compliance with the Education Act, Regulations, Guide to Education and all other policies and directives that apply.

Key responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

Accreditation, Monitoring and Compliance
•    Manage and review documentation, correspondence and interviews related to the accreditation and monitoring of independent schools and independent ECS operators in Alberta.
•    Support monitoring and annual operating plan review processes to assess compliance with applicable legislation, regulations, standards, policies and operational requirements.
•    Participate with Field Services and ministry partners, as required, to review accredited independent schools and provide insights on compliance with Annual Operating Plan requirements.
•    Prepare recommendations for prospective accreditation, continued accreditation or discontinuation of accreditation for consideration by senior officials and the Minister of Education and Childcare.

Stakeholder Support and Issue Resolution
•    Provide consultation, interpretation, advice and support to school authorities, independent school applicants, ECS operators and other stakeholders on accreditation, monitoring and operational matters.
•    Respond to client, stakeholder and partner concerns in a timely, accurate and appropriate manner that aligns with department quality standards.
•    Facilitate the resolution of issues or conflicts related to accreditation and monitoring while building collaborative and consultative relationships with ministry partners and stakeholders.

Policy, Planning and Continuous Improvement
•    Support the implementation of education-related legislation, regulations, policies, standards, programs and initiatives through sound analysis, advice and operational support.
•    Work with branch and division staff to implement, assess and refine accreditation, monitoring and private ECS operator review processes.
•    Review findings from accreditation and monitoring activities and recommend revisions to provincial policies, regulations, standards and procedures, as appropriate.

Briefings, Communications and Leadership Support
•    Prepare briefing documents, action request responses, correspondence and other materials for senior leadership, branch officials and the Minister in a timely and appropriate manner.
•    Keep senior leadership informed of emerging issues, risks and stakeholder concerns, and provide timely recommendations and responses to support effective decision-making.

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.

•    Systems Thinking: Considers how accreditation, monitoring, policy and stakeholder decisions affect students, schools and the broader education system.

•    Creative Problem Solving: Identifies practical solutions to complex accreditation, compliance and operational issues while balancing legislative, policy and stakeholder needs.

•    Drive for Results: Delivers timely, accurate and high-quality accreditation reviews, monitoring activities, briefing materials and recommendations that support effective decision-making. 

•    Build Collaborative Environments: Works effectively with branch, division and ministry partners to support coordinated reviews, shared accountability and consistent service delivery.

•    Develop Networks: Builds and maintains productive relationships with school authorities, ECS operators, ministry partners and stakeholders to support information sharing and issue resolution.

Qualifications

University graduation in a related field plus 4 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.

Required Skills

•    Strong understanding of legislation, regulations, policies, standards and procedures related to education program delivery and accountability.
•    Knowledge of the Education Act, related regulations, the Guide to Education and ministry policies affecting school accreditation or program operations like Independent School Registrations Act, Early Childhood Services Regulations
•    Experience reviewing, assessing and analyzing complex documentation to support compliance, accreditation, monitoring or program review activities.
•    Ability to prepare clear, accurate and timely briefing materials, correspondence, action request responses and recommendations for leadership review.
•    Strong consultation, communication and issue-resolution skills when working with internal partners, school authorities, operators and stakeholders.
•    Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines and maintain attention to detail in a policy or program administration environment.

Assets
•    Experience working with independent schools, independent ECS operators or Alberta school authorities.
•    Experience supporting monitoring, audit, compliance assurance or annual operating plan review processes.
•    Experience developing or improving administrative processes, procedures, guidelines or tools that support consistent program delivery.
•    Experience building collaborative relationships across divisions, ministries or external stakeholder groups.

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

Notes

This is one Permanent position, full-time position working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday, in office.

This position is based in Edmonton. We require you to attach a Cover Letter with your application explaining your qualification and suitability for this role

•    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.