Education Assurance Analyst

Role Responsibilities

The Education Assurance Analyst will work witih the Senior Manager, Assurance. This position will provide critical support to System Assurance's two Senior Managers in the areas around the implementation of the Assurance Framework, preparation of the Alberta Education Assurance surveys, and validation of the Alberta Education Assurance Measures (AEAMs) results. Responsibilities will include assisting with planning and development of policies under guidance from the Senior Manager, Manager, or Senior

Research Officer, analysis and interpreting of data to develop initial recommendations, and/or liaison with internal and external stakeholders for information gathering purposes. 

As Education Assurance Analyst, you will be responsible for the following activities in the division:

1. Show personal initiative in providing critical support for tasks important to the enhancement of the Assurance Framework.

• Conduct research, jurisdiction scans and/or literature reviews as necessary to support the ongoing enhancement of the Assurance Framework.
• Through interpreting research-based data sources, provide on-going feedback to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the branch's processes and practices.
• With guidance, draft documents with possible legislative implications regarding policies and impact on program users. 
• Liaise with partner departments ensuring shared standards and procedures are accurately met.
• Cross reference ministry websites ensuring edited or revised documentation is updated and accurate.
• Act as Secretary in the Assurance Framework Working Committee and support Senior Manager and Manager with committee-related tasks. 
• Use enhanced Microsoft Office applications to enhance, create and format branch communications to the field. 
• Monitor, review and confirm delegation of action items based on the branch's shared inbox.

Role Responsibilities Continued..

2. School authority planning and reporting under the Assurance Framework is supported through the use of valid and accurate AEAMs data.

• Maintains working knowledge of school authority planning and reporting requirements, the AEAMs reporting system and various internal and external reporting applications (e.g., Data Catalogue, Stakeholder File exchange, Extranet, PED).
• Checks, verifies and analyzes AEAMs data and reports at the individual school, school authority, and provincial levels, to ensure data accuracy.
• Conducts additional analysis and prepares reports and other materials based on AEAM results to support the Manager or Senior Manager's follow-up work related to school authority performance.
• Identifies potential gaps and improvements in existing reports and assists with the design of new reports.
• The Senior Research Officer (SRO) is provided with research and technical support in the implementation, processing and analysis of the Alberta Education Assurance (AEA) survey. 
• Assists the SRO with the day-to-day activities required for the preparation and administration of the Alberta Education Assurance (AEA) survey, including liaising with contractors and partners involved in the mail out and distribution of parent surveys.
• Performs data entry for paper-based surveys.
• Assists the SRO with maintaining the AEA survey task-list and calendar.
• Performs data entry for paper-based surveys.
• Responds to enquiries from representatives of school authorities and schools, as well as parents regarding the survey administration and process.

3. The ongoing enhancements to the Alberta Education Assurance Measures (AEAMs) are provided with research and analytical services.

• Conducts research and analysis to support continual refinement of the AEAMs, including developing initial recommendations for review by the SRO or Senior Manager.
• Under the guidance and direction of the SRO or Senior Manager, conducts research and analysis to support development of new performance measures, including liaising with other areas within the Ministry, GoA, or external partners, where necessary.
• Participates in the evaluation of proposed approaches and methodologies, including identifying strengths and weaknesses of proposed approaches and testing for validity and reliability.
• Analyzes new measures against existing measures to assess consistency and correlation.
• The Branch is supported in achieving the mandate and goals of the sector, division, and Ministry.
• Represents the Branch on Ministry and cross-government working groups, committees, and initiatives as required.
• Provides support and input for the development of policies and standards relating to data integrity, privacy, security, standards, sharing, repository, and retention.
• Provides research and analytical services in response to enquiries and requests for briefing materials and Action Requests, as required.

4. The Branch is supported in achieving the mandate and goals of the sector, division, and Ministry.

• Represents the Branch on Ministry and cross-government working groups, committees, and initiatives as required.
• Provides support and input for the development of policies and standards relating to data integrity, privacy, security, standards, sharing, repository, and retention.
• Provides research and analytical services in response to enquiries and requests for briefing materials and Action Requests, as required.
   

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 - Involves a consistent review and analysis of the effectiveness of both policy and communication as it pertains to the Assurance Framework. It is important to have a confident working knowledge of the framework and its components.
• Creative Problem Solving - Solve problems through a thorough review of a wide variety of data sources, including offering options that evaluates the alternatives and considers the implications of proposed solutions.
• Agility - Support planning of the AEA survey to the best of known timelines and goals at the time, while also anticipating and pivoting to alternate plans in response to change. Due to the evolving nature of the content in SAB's sections of the Funding manual, this individual must be able to support with cross referencing while researching the most current legislations and regulations impacting school authorities. to confidentiality, tact, discretion, and diplomacy is also required.
• Drive for Results - Debrief each year's survey plan and process with the SRO and Manager to identify areas of improvement and suggest efficiencies. This position requires an important contribution as an AFWC member. AFWC aligns SAB's collaborative efforts with Field services creating consistency and continuity in messaging for our school authorities with regards to EP and AERR reporting requirements.

Qualifications

University graduation in a related field; no experience required; 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. 

The Education Assurance Analyst requires knowledge of:

• The Ministry business plan, organizational structure, strategic priorities, and core businesses.
• Government strategic and policy directions and priorities as they relate to the Ministry mandate and initiatives.
• The structure of the education system and corresponding accountability relationships and frameworks.
• The flow of data through Ministry systems from initial collection to production of information products for stakeholders and the public.
• The client and stakeholder community impacted by the Ministry mandate, including relevant organizations, committees, advisory groups, and representatives.
• The political environment within which the Ministry operates and decision-making processes of government.
• relevant legislation, regulations, and policies (e.g., Education Act; Guide to Education; Funding Manual for School Authorities; Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act).

The Education Analyst requires strong and demonstrated:

• Interpersonal skills.
• Analytical, research, and information integration skills, including the ability to synthesize and analyze information obtained from broad and varied sources and develop solutions and recommendations for the consideration of decision-makers.
• Written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey information using appropriate means and present findings and recommendations effectively to decision-makers, clients, and stakeholders.
• Attention to detail.
• Organizational skills, including the ability to adapt to change, multi-task and prioritize multiple responsibilities.
• Commitment to client service, confidentiality, continuous improvement, adding value, and innovation.

The following are considered assets:

• Knowledge of software and systems for statistical analysis, visualizations (e.g., Microsoft SQL Server, SPSS, R, Python, SAS-VA, PowerBI) and/or 
• Business productivity software and survey tools (e.g., NoviSurvey; Microsoft 365).

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 is a full-time position working 36.25 hours per week.

Working location is 44 Capital Boulevard, Edmonton.

Applicants are advised to provide a cover letter outlining how your experience relates to the qualifications outlined in this job ad is required. 

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part-time or full-time. For example: January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Assistant (PT three 8 hrs shifts/week).

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

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. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in. 

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.
• 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.