Animal Health and Welfare Policy Specialist

Role Responsibilities

As the Animal Health and Welfare Policy Specialist, you will play a crucial role in shaping Alberta’s animal health and welfare policies. Reporting to the Senior Manager, Policy and Regulation, you will lead and support legislative updates, policy development, and program guidance. Your work will also address other key areas such as disease response planning, livestock traceability, import/export of animals, and diversified livestock production.

This role is ideal for someone with a high level of expertise in policy development, excellent communication skills, and the ability to build consensus in a collaborative environment. You will clearly articulate and advocate for Alberta’s perspectives and priorities locally and nationally.

Responsibilities

• Lead legislative updates, develop policy, and provide program guidance on animal health and welfare.
• Conduct consultations with stakeholders, including government partners, industry representatives, and external agencies.
• Represent Alberta’s interests on committees and working groups at the local, provincial, and national levels.
• Use project management methodologies to guide policy analysis and implementation.
• Support emergency preparedness and response activities related to animal health and welfare. 
• Provide evidence-based recommendations for provincial policies on animal welfare, including livestock and companion animals.
• Provide expert policy advice and strategic guidance on regulatory matters related to animal welfare, disease response preparedness, livestock traceability, and diversified livestock production. 
• Conduct research, consultation, and analysis to develop evidence based policy options that align with Government of Alberta and Ministry priorities. 
• Prepare legislative materials, policy briefings, and responses, and work  with Alberta Justice and policy specialists on drafting acts and regulations. 
• Strengthen Alberta’s livestock traceability systems by developing policy, maintaining the Premises Identification (PID) system, and supporting compliance and data integrity initiatives. 

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.

Systems Thinking - Takes a long-term view towards organization’s objectives and how to achieve them:

• Takes holistic long-term view of challenges and opportunities.
• Anticipates outcomes and potential impacts, seeks stakeholder perspectives.
• Works towards actions and plans aligned with APS values.
• Works with others to identify areas for collaboration.

Creative Problem Solving - Engages the community and resources at hand to address issues:

• Engages perspective to seek root causes.
• Finds ways to improve complex systems.
• Employs resources from other areas to solve problems.
• Engages others and encourages debate and idea generation to solve problems while addressing risks.

Drive for Results - Works to remove barriers to outcomes, sticking to principles:

• Forecasts and proactively addresses project challenges.
• Removes barriers to collaboration and achievement of outcomes.
• Upholds principles and confronts problems directly.
• Considers complex factors and aligns solutions with broader organization mission.

Build Collaborative Environments - Involves a wide group of stakeholders when working on outcomes:

• Involves stakeholders and shares resources.
• Positively resolves conflict through coaching and facilitated discussion.
• Uses enthusiasm to motivate and guide others.
• Acknowledges and works with diverse perspectives for achieving outcomes.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standards:

• University graduation in Agriculture, Science, Public Administration, Policy or 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.

Preference will be given to those that can demonstrate strong knowledge in the areas of animal health and welfare, government policy analysis and development, and the livestock industry. 

Additional Requirements:

• Strong understanding of animal health and welfare programs, practices and policies. 
• Class 5 Driver's license.

Assets:

• Animal welfare related certifications.
• Extensive understanding of government policy related to (in order of preference) animal health and welfare, disease response planning and preparedness, livestock traceability, import and export of animals and animal products, and diversified livestock production.
• Strong knowledge and demonstrated skills in the areas of policy analysis and development. 
• Broad understanding of regulatory frameworks for animal health and welfare, livestock traceability and livestock production.
• Ability to interpret, analyze and communicate technical legal matters. 
• Leadership and coaching of teams and ability to influence without authority, including when working with industry.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills.
• Ability to work on short timelines, prioritize work, provide leadership, participate in a team environment, mediate, negotiate and work in adversarial environments. 
• Training and experience in team leadership, project management and facilitation.

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

Position Information:

• Office located in the O.S. Longman building, Edmonton. 
• Edmonton office is preferred. Other locations may be considered.
• Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week (permanent full time).
• Monday to Friday (08:15 am-16:30 pm).
• Some travel within the province and occasionally to other provinces to meet with industry stakeholders, attend conferences/ speaking engagements is required for this role. 

Other Application Information:

• A cover letter is required with your application, outlining how your education and experience aligns with the role.
• Final candidates may be required to undergo a written test demonstrating writing skills and abilities pre or post interviews.
• This position may require final candidates to undergo a security clearance.
• 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.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.