Engagement Specialist

Role Responsibilities

Do you have a passion for public participation?

As an Engagement Specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation, you work hard to ensure that Albertans have a strong voice in the development of government policy, legislation, programs and services.

On any given day, your role in the public participation process might range from planner and facilitator to expert advisor or leader. You work with colleagues across the department to ensure that their decision-making is informed through effective, inclusive, and innovative public engagement.

The ideal candidate has experience in planning, implementing, facilitating, and evaluating public participation processes. You are well acquainted with a wide range of tools, tactics and techniques, and you feel confident in guiding others and sharing your professional recommendations. You build strong relationships with staff across the department and work effectively with stakeholders including the agriculture industry, non-governmental organizations, and other levels of government.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Participation and leadership in planning and designing stakeholder engagement initiatives.
• Providing guidance to department  divisions and other stakeholders on planning and implementation of stakeholder engagement.
• Fostering and building collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders including the agriculture sector, government departments, department representatives and other stakeholder organizations.
• Using innovative tools and processes to facilitate engagement with stakeholders and Albertans.
• Providing strategic advice to senior department representatives to support decision-making.
• Performing environmental scanning and conducting research on emerging trends in public participation and its impact on department stakeholder engagement; and,
• Collecting and analyzing data from stakeholder engagement activities for inclusion in reports and recommendations.

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 - Works to exceed goals and partner with others to achieve objectives:

• Holds self and others responsible for results.
• Partners with groups to achieve outcomes.
• Aims to exceed expectations.

Agility - Proactively incorporates change into processes:

• Creates opportunities for improvement.
• Is aware of and adapts to changing priorities.
• Remains objective under pressure and supports others to manage their emotions.
• Proactively explains impact of change on roles, and integrates change in existing work.

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.

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.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standards:

• University degree in Business, Public Administration, Political Science or Social Sciences or related field, plus 4 years of progressively responsible related experience.

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.

Additional Requirements:

• An in-depth knowledge of project planning and management principles.
• Significant experience facilitating and leading conversations, ensuring all participants have an opportunity to contribute.
• Political acumen. 
• Highly skilled consultant-facilitator. Able to formally or informally contract with clients, conduct a thorough needs assessment, and effectively respond to stakeholder or client expressed needs, interests, and preferences.

Asset:

• International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) certification.
• Familiarity with the agriculture sector.
• Excellent relationship-building skills.
  
  

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 Edmonton at the J.G.O’Donoghue Building (7000-113 Street)
• Other locations may be considered (Please list preferred location in the pre-screening question section).
• Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week (permanent full time).
• Monday to Friday (08:15 am-16:30 pm). 

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.