Correspondence Writer

Role Responsibilities

Under the general direction of the Manager, Policing Oversight and Contract Policing, the Correspondence Writer supports the Ministry’s business plan goal of helping to ensure all Albertans can live in safe and resilient communities by responding to inquiries from the public, stakeholders, and government. The role provides specialized correspondence and communications support to the Contract Policing and Policing Oversight (CPPO) unit by researching issues and preparing accurate, timely, and well reasoned written materials that align with ministry, government, and program area priorities.

Key Responsibilities

•    Research, draft, edit, and finalize a high volume of professional correspondence, briefing materials, and Action Request (AR/TAR) responses in accordance with ministry standards, templates, style guides, and established service timelines.
•    Manage multiple concurrent correspondence files, often involving complex, sensitive, or time critical issues, while exercising sound judgment to ensure appropriate tone, clarity, and consistency of messaging for diverse audiences.
•    Consult and collaborate with unit staff, program areas, cross ministry partners, and stakeholders to gather, analyze, and synthesize information to support accurate, current, and well reasoned written responses aligned with departmental and government positions.
•    Coordinate with the Ministerial Correspondence Unit and internal partners to develop clear, coherent, and consistent messaging, particularly on matters with political, reputational, or public interest considerations.
•    Apply quality assurance practices to ensure written materials are clear, complete, well structured, and appropriate for the intended audience, including reviewing and editing correspondence prepared by others.
•    Manage records and information in compliance with ATIA, POPA, Government of Alberta, and ministry requirements, including leading FOIP related correspondence and administering SharePoint and correspondence tracking systems.
•    Monitor correspondence volumes, trends, and emerging issues; report key findings and contribute to continuous improvement of correspondence processes, tools, and unit practices.
•    Serve as a subject matter resource by providing guidance or training related to correspondence processes, writing standards, information management practices, and collaborative tools.

To succeed in this position, you will demonstrate a high degree of initiative, responsiveness, professionalism, sound judgment, and collaboration. You will have strong critical thinking skills, a keen attention to detail, and the ability to produce high quality written materials while managing competing priorities and tight timelines.

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:  

•    Creative Problem Solving: You will address inquiries and issues where there is often no clear or straightforward resolution. This requires researching and analyzing information from ministry resources, government partners, and stakeholders, and applying judgment to determine the most appropriate approach and written response.
•    Agility: This role operates in a high volume, deadline driven environment. You must be able to effectively prioritize your workload, adapt to emerging issues, and adjust priorities as required while consistently producing accurate, high quality written materials within tight timelines.
•    Develop Networks: You proactively build and maintain effective working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to support information gathering, collaboration, and timely completion of correspondence and briefing materials.
•    Build Collaborative Environments: You understand when and how to engage others to obtain information and when to share information with team members or stakeholders. You contribute positively to a collaborative team environment, communicate respectfully, even in disagreement, and escalate issues to management when appropriate to support timely and accurate outcomes.
•    Systems Thinking: You regularly manage inquiries and correspondence that intersect with broad Ministerial objectives, government priorities, and current social issues. You ensure written responses consider departmental and Ministerial goals, clearly articulate government positions, and account for both short  and long term impacts, risks, and outcomes.

Qualifications

University graduation in Public Administration, Journalism, Public relations, or Communications.

A directly related diploma in Public Administration is considered equivalent to university graduation for this position.

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.

Experience independently producing high volume professional correspondence in government or similarly complex regulatory or oversight environments is required.

Assets: 

•    Experience using Action Requests Tracking System (ARTS) and/or 1GX.
•    Demonstrated ability to apply advanced English grammar and usage principles to produce clear, concise, and plain language written communications for diverse audiences.
•    In-depth research and writing skills, including knowledge of how language impacts messaging and tone and ability to communicate in writing to a wide variety of people, from children to government and business.
•    Ability to recognize and appropriately manage political sensitivities when drafting or reviewing written communications.

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

There is one (1) permanent full-time position available, located at the John E. Brownlee Building- Edmonton, AB
 
Hours of work: 7.25 hours per day / 36.25 hours per week (Monday – Friday).

Please note candidates may be asked to participate in a written assessment. 
 
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.

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.
•    Leadership and mentorship programs.