Analyst, Early Years Provincial Assessment

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Early Years Assessment Manager, the Early Years (EY) Provincial Assessment Analyst provides a broad range of analysis and support services to the Provincial Assessment team comprised of management, professional and administrative support staff. This position conducts environmental scans and collects and analyzes data from a variety of internal and external information sources to identify trends, capacity issues, gaps and potential services to inform increased provincial assessment effectiveness and policy.
 

RESPONSIBILITIES:
 

The branch and sector management teams are supported in achieving department mandate and goals.

• Develops briefings and other documents in response to requests from the Deputy Minister and Executive Team, as well as conducts environmental scans, reviews research and provides analysis, speaking and briefing notes, reports, business cases, correspondence, presentations, and other communications materials as required.
• The analyst participates in sector, division, ministry, cross-ministry and stakeholder meetings as required, to represent sector and branch perspectives and contribute relevant expertise, input and recommendations.
• The analyst monitors briefings, reports, news releases, newspaper articles, media coverage, and other publications and information sources to identify emerging issues with potential to impact the sector and branch.
   

Decision-makers at the branch, sector, division, and department can rely on review and analysis reports the Provincial Assessment Analyst prepares related to provincial assessments in kindergarten to grade 12, a variety of other work projects underway in the branch and sector and its compliance with legislation and provincial assessment policy documents.

• The analyst reviews and analyzes programs and initiatives related to provincial assessments such as literacy and numeracy funding programs, early years assessment programs and provincial achievement tests, and supports results reporting within the framework of provincial assessments.
• The analyst may be asked to support work of the Executive Director, such as but not limited to supporting decisions rendered by the Executive Director for requests for reconsideration submitted for diploma exams by students.
• The analyst reviews and analyzes funding reporting for literacy and numeracy, and annual reporting completed by school authorities for provincial assessments in their annual education results reporting.
• The analyst reviews and analyzes funding applications for literacy and numeracy screening assessments completed in the early years.

Role Responsibilities Continued

Decision-makers at the branch, sector, division, and department can rely on reviews and analysis reports the Provincial Assessment Analyst prepares related to initiatives.

• The analyst collaborates, compiles, and analyzes data collected from ministry, field and public sources; creates summaries and reports; and shares with branch staff to support operations and inform sector, division and department strategic planning and decision-making.
• The analyst develops, administers, and maintains Provincial Assessment Sector's tracking systems, collects, and integrates data from various ministry, government and public databases and information sources such as external engagements to enhance collaboration internally and with school authorities.
• The analyst collaborates with branch and sector management, professional and administrative staff to establish format, content and creation of provincial assessment initiatives and priorities.
• The analyst integrates and synthesizes data collected in relation to provincial assessment programs, policies, priorities and initiatives ministry and school authority's progress toward achieving provincial assessment outcomes in programs implemented (e.g., school authority results, trends, metrics, assessment strategies).
   

Decision-makers at the branch, sector, division, and department can rely on the environmental scans and associated analyses to identify options and good practice and inform decisions to support the learning and leadership within the department as well as school authorities to implement provincial assessment programs, policies, priorities and initiatives.

• The analyst performs environmental scans to identify good practices, issues, and potential future directions for implementing provincial assessment programs, policy priorities, and initiatives and other enhancements to the learning and leadership environments of school authorities for matters of provincial assessment.
• The analyst summarizes and analyzes system intelligence and associated information to develop background materials, briefings, and recommendations for consideration of senior decision-makers.
• The analyst participates in project teams and provides assistance to pilots and projects focused on reviewing and evaluating school authority provincial assessment results and requirements in support of implementing provincial assessment programs, policies, priorities, and initiatives.
• The analyst supports the development and use of provincial assessment programs and data in evidence-based decision-making.

Role Responsibilities Continued

Projects are coordinated and managed for ongoing work as well as ensuring quality assurance for projects, programs and initiatives related to provincial assessments.

• Provides policy analysis support in developing operational policies, including providing sector with information on emerging trends and issues that may impact the education system, researching policies, best practices and new theories relating to provincial assessments in the education system, and ensuring relevant Ministry representatives are informed of the research findings.
• The analyst provides project management services, including planning and defining scope; activity planning and sequencing; resource planning; developing schedules; estimating time; estimating costs and developing budgets; project tracking and documentation; risk identification, analysis and mitigation; and monitoring and reporting on progress for various provincial assessment initiatives, as needed.
• The analyst ensures deadlines are clearly communicated, provides follow-up and reminders to team members as required, and ensures that work is completed in a timely manner and meets high standards.
   

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.
 

Drive for Results - Flag, provide solutions, and address issues in accordance with the priorities of the Ministry and division.
 

Agility - Supports the shifting priorities and practices of provincial assessment programs.
 

Creative Problem Solving - Engages with supervisor and peers to implement improvements to provide accurate and timely updates for provincial assessment matters.
 

Build Collaborative Environments - The Provincial Assessment Analyst frequently serves as a member of a team and must be effective in supporting the efficacy of the team.

Qualifications

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.
 

Knowledge and/or experience of the following are considered assets for this position:
 

• Two years experience supporting business and/or government leaders through conducting e-scans, stakeholder consultations, project management, research and analysis and/or communications activities.
• Excellent English verbal and writing skills.
• Excellent memory and attention to detail.
• Excellent computer skills, good knowledge of appropriate software and ability to organize data logically.
• Creative problem solving.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing, with a wide range of individuals.
• Ability to work collaboratively.
• Ability to effectively handle time pressures and manage multiple and conflicting priorities.
   

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

This competition is for a position based in Edmonton, offering a work schedule of Monday to Friday, totaling 36.25 hours per week.
 

Candidates must submit a cover letter and resume that succinctly demonstrate their qualifications against the job requirements, including education, experience, and relevant competencies. It's important for applicants to ensure their resume and cover letter clearly articulate how their past work experiences align with the role's qualifications and needs.
 

Resumes must include precise employment dates (month and year) details.
 

The final candidates for this position will be asked to undergo an academic check, references, provide a suitable security screening and may be asked to complete a written exercise and/or assessment.
 

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.
 

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies across the government of Alberta, at equal or lower classification and salary.
 

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 has 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.