Engagement and Education Specialist

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Manager, Engagement and Policy Coordination, the Engagement and Education Specialist is responsible for the planning, development, and implementation of the ministry's provision of public participation (engagement and education), and once complete, the incumbent will analyze and report on the findings of the engagement. The Specialist must ensure quality and timeliness of the support (information, guidance, advice and resources) provided to the ministry's leadership and program areas. The Specialist requires a high level of knowledge, expertise, originality, innovation and independent research skills as well as the ability to identify risks, implications and issues in order to recommend appropriate engagement and education solutions to various areas of the ministry.

Key Responsibilities:
•    Align departmental engagement initiatives with the strategic and business objectives of the department.
•    Establish and maintain collaborative, positive, and productive relationships with key stakeholders within the ministry and across government including Communications and Public Engagement, to ensure Forestry and Parks’ public participation engagement plans, programs, and initiatives adhere to corporate engagement standards while effectively advancing the Ministry’s mandate.
•    Develop and implement literacy strategies and education programs as the department’s primary non-regulatory mechanism to support the achievement of the Ministry’s forestry, wildfire, parks, and public lands-related objectives.
•    Enhance capacity among forestry and parks staff as well as external stakeholders to strengthen the delivery of engagement programs and initiatives.
•    Provide ongoing support for departmental operations.
 

Please click on this link to view the job 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.

Agility: Work confidently in a flexible and changing work environment while being innovative in goal achievement.

Drive for Results: Know what outcomes are important and maximize resources while achieving results that are aligned with the goals of the organization and maintaining accountability to the team and external stakeholders.

Creative Problem Solving: Assess options and implications in new ways to inform decision making in order to achieve outcomes and solutions.

Build Collaborative Environments: Lead and contribute to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively in achieving desired outcomes.

Develop Self and Others: Seek opportunities to build knowledge of engagement and consultation practices as well as learn about the department's work and priorities. 

Qualifications

Minimum Requirement Standard:

Bachelors Degree in related field such as Science, Political Science, Arts, Business, Education or Public Engagement or Communications, 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.

Written Assessment: Candidates are required to complete a written assessment as a prerequisite for proceeding with the interview process. 

Asset:
•    Advanced knowledge of public participation theory and practice (IAP2 certification preferred).  
•    Advanced knowledge of community and stakeholder relations.  
•    Advanced knowledge of new and innovative engagement processes, better practices, tools and techniques.  
•    Project management knowledge supplemented with several years of demonstrable experience.  
•    Experience cultivating and leveraging strategic partnerships (internal and external). 
•    Experience planning, implementing, delivering and evaluating complex strategies, programs and projects.  
•    Knowledge of the relationship between public engagement and decision making.

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, permanent position in Edmonton with the standard weekly work hours of 36.25, Monday to Friday. As the successful candidate, you will primarily be operating out of an office. Some out of office work (field) may be required.  

Travel throughout the province on occasion may be required as part of your responsibilities and you will have frequent contact with Ministry staff and colleagues, other government departments, clients, and external stakeholders province wide. 

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. 

Candidates are required to complete a written assessment as a prerequisite for proceeding with the interview process. 
 

Application Information:

•    In your application, please a include cover letter detailing your interest, and role related experience. Your cover letter will also be used to assess your writing abilities. Please complete your cover letter and resume on your own and without the use of AI or other artificial intelligence tools. Doing so may result in disqualification from this competition. 
•    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 hour shifts/week).
•    Three (3) work-related references are required for those selected for an interview.

What the GoA has to offer:

•    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.