Compliance Officer

Role Responsibilities

The Private Career Colleges and Compliance (PCCC) branch is responsible for the regulation of career training programs offered by private institutions in Alberta in accordance with the Private Vocational Training Act and Regulation. The Compliance unit ensures that licensees comply with legislation, operational policy, student contracts, and the Terms and Conditions of Licensing.

The unit is also responsible for ensuring that comprehensive information is readily available so that applicants and licensees are aware of their responsibilities subsequent to licensing.

Reporting to the Manager of Compliance, Private Career Colleges, the Compliance Officer is responsible for conducting reviews and inspections in accordance with their authority as inspectors under the Private Vocational Training Act. 

• The Compliance Officer reviews records and collects evidence to support recommended compliance actions and presents information for decision by the statutory director. The Compliance Officer adheres to branch policies, procedures and standards, while applying the principles of administrative fairness. 
   
• The Compliance Officer also maintains positive and professional working relationships with external stakeholders, including private career colleges, regulatory bodies, and professional associations such as the Alberta Association of Career Colleges (AACC), and internal stakeholders such as other units, branches and divisions within the Advanced Education Ministry, and other Ministries within the Government of Alberta.
   
• The Compliance Officer researches and compiles information related to emerging issues and trends related to licensing and compliance, and works collaboratively within the branch to recommend proactive strategies for improvements to process and policies. The Compliance Officer works closely with the licensing team to help inform licensing decisions.
   
• The Compliance Officer operates in accordance with the Private Vocational Training Act and Regulation, government administration processes and procedures (e.g. for records management, Action Requests), and PCCC branch operational plans.

• Research programs offered by institutions applying for exemptions from licensing under the Act and Regulation.
  • Review and determine if licensing is required and provide a summary detailing the research conducted and findings.
  • Provide exemption letter to the institution, if required.
     
• Coordinate and review ongoing changes.
  • Evaluate documentation submitted by licensees regarding institution relocations, asset and share sales/transfers, name changes, cancellations and program changes, providing recommendations to management.
  • Communicate licensing changes to other areas of government that may be impacted by program licensing changes (e.g. Alberta Student Aid, International and Industry Collaboration unit, Community and Social Services, Alberta Health, Apprenticeship and Industry Training).
  • Review information and documentation submitted by applicants and licensees relating to financial security ensuring that branch security requirements are being met; this activity includes tuition revenue reporting and financial security.

Role Responsibilities Continued

• Identify and develop plans to address non-compliance issues with licensees in accordance with existing legislation.
  • Work with licensees and their staff to increase their level of awareness of compliance requirements including conducting compliance information sessions when requested or as required.
  •  Address matters of non-compliance with licensees and make recommendations for compliance actions to the Manager, Compliance, in accordance with the progressive enforcement model.
  • Work with licensees to resolve matters of non-compliance, conducting follow-up inspections or reviews to ensure that compliance issues are rectified.
     
• Participate in compliance review/inspection planning.
  • Supports Manager, Compliance, in the coordination of planned inspections and/or reviews.
  • Conduct in person and desk based inspections and reviews of licensees.
  • Create compliance review reports based on findings related to compliance inspections/reviews.
  • Schedule follow-up inspections/reviews to confirm ongoing compliance.
     
• Research trends and opportunities across the private career college sector to inform branch strategies and processes.
  • Research new emerging fields, best practices, and trends in other jurisdictions, summarize information and provide recommendations as required.
  • Provide input into draft policies (including amendments to policy) ensuring that applicants and licensees have sufficient information relating to licensing of programs and ongoing compliance.
  • Provide input into draft procedures ensuring that there is sufficient rigour in the process and that the principles of administrative fairness are considered.
  • Work with the Manager, Compliance, to liaise with regulatory bodies to incorporate regulatory approvals and/or requirements into branch policies and processes. This activity ensures alignment between the requirements of regulatory bodies (e.g., Alberta College of Paramedics, or the College and Association of Acupuncture of Alberta) and PCCC branch licensing requirements.
     
• Review and evaluate license application documentation/information to determine whether the program meets the regulatory requirements for licensing in accordance with existing legislation.
  • Consult with other branches concerning labour market demand and public post-secondary offerings.
  • Build and maintain strong working relationships with private institutions and other stakeholders throughout the application process through conversations and site visits (as required).
  • Make recommendations regarding program licensing to the Manager, Licensing.
  • Identify opportunities for developing and enhancing licensing procedures.

Please click on this link to view this jib description.

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.
 

• Creative Problem Solving - Engages others and encourages debate and idea generation to solve problems while addressing risks.
   
• Agility - Makes decisions and takes action in uncertain situations and creates a backup plan.
   
• Systems Thinking - Anticipates outcomes and potential impacts, seeks stakeholder perspectives.
   
• Develop Networks - Actively seeks input into change initiatives.
   
• Build Collaborative Environments - Encourages broad thinking on projects, and works to eliminate barriers to progress.

Qualifications

University graduation in Public Administration, Business or 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: 

• The ability to interpret legislation and policy.
• Knowledge of legislation governing private career colleges in Alberta: Private Vocational Training Act and Regulation.
• Compliance in a government or regulatory setting.
• Excellent communication skills, including verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Strong conflict resolution and negotiation skills to address deficiencies and non-compliance matters.
• Effective relationship-building skills.
• Organization, time management, multi-tasking, and coordination skills to successfully handle the variety and volume of work with close attention to detail.
• Critical thinking and creative problem solving skills, including the ability to identify opportunities to improve branch processes.
• The ability to conduct compliance investigations of varying degrees of complexity.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team environment.
• Sound research and analysis skills, including the ability to research and synthesize emerging trends and identify how they might impact licensing and compliance related to career training programs.
• Strong understanding of the principles of administrative fairness.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel).

Notes

This is a full-time permanent position working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Working location: 23rd Floor, 10155 - 102 Street, Commerce Place, Edmonton.

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 - About the Alberta Public Service | Alberta.ca

• 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