Executive Advisor to the Chief Scientist

Role Responsibilities

Are you a natural problem-solver and high achiever? Do you flourish in an environment that is fast-paced and requires you to think strategically? Are you a skilled issues manager and a master at communicating complex, technical information to departmental staff and elected officials? If you answered yes to the above, then consider joining our team as the Executive Advisor to the Chief Scientist of Environment and Protected Areas (EPA).

The Executive Advisor supports the Office of the Chief Scientist with the strategic direction, policy, planning and engagement processes. This position manages and oversees a comprehensive system of responses to urgent requests and briefings, allowing the Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) to maintain day-to-day operations with minimal disruption.

Working with senior leaders and executives daily, your ability to influence, coach and understand government systems are critical skills. As a member of the OCS leadership team, you will provide expertise and input into strategic decisions and governance processes. 

This position will also provide dedicated Secretariat support to both the Science Advisory Panel (SAP) and the Indigenous Wisdom Advisory Panel (IWAP), which both advise the Minister and Chief Scientist of EPA on aspects of the Environmental Science Program.

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Main responsibilities include:

• Professional support to the Chief Scientist – Provide professional support and assistance to the Chief Scientist for briefing on current and emerging issues.
• Coordination – Coordinate or prepare responses, especially regarding Environmental Science Program and associated Condition of Environment reporting. 
• Relationship Management – Maintain and improve collaborative relationships with the Departments, including attending biweekly Executive Advisor meetings.
• Communication and Information Management – Establish, implement, integrate, and monitor effective communication processes, people practices, and information management systems.  Ensure information inquiries are routed appropriately, responses prepared and issues addressed in a timely manner.
• Administrative Oversight – Oversees the administration of freedom of information requests, advising when appropriate. Manage OCS Action Requests (ARs) by reviewing and tracking deadlines.
• Operational and Strategic Support for the Advisory Panels – Serve as Secretariat for both the Science Advisory Panel and indigenous Wisdom Advisory Panel that advise the Minister and Chief Scientist of EPA. 
• Compliance, Oversight and Collaboration – Ensure that the advisory panels operate in compliance with applicable Alberta Public Agencies Governance Act (APAGA) legislation and regulations.
• Strategic Planning and Evaluation – Coordinate with the Chief Scientist and Strategy and Governance Division for recruitment and reappointment of advisory panel members as needed.

You will implement and monitor effective communication processes and information management systems for the OCS. Your strong proficiency to assess issues, determine their nature and priority, research and coordinate supporting information and take appropriate action to ensure that inquiries are dealt with in a timely, accurate, and coordinated manner ensures seamless departmental communication flow. Your ability to build and foster effective relationships and partnerships, initiative, demonstrate a sense of shared responsibility for outcomes, and work independently with confidence, will set you up for success in this role.

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.

Creative Problem Solving – To come up with solutions to solve complex problems while balancing the development, conservation and use of resources.

Drive for Results – To strive to exceed expectations and maximize resources to achieve results that are aligned with the goals of the department while maintaining accountability to both internal and external stakeholders.

Develop Networks – To maintain close relations with all stakeholders, actively incorporate the needs of the broader group and ensure overall client satisfaction.

Build Collaborative Environments – To ensure a collaborative approach is taken within your work to facilitate open communication and leverage team skills to achieve desired outcomes.

Agility – To identify alternative approaches or courses of action in unclear and complex situations. Supports others to identify, assess and use alternative approaches.

Systems Thinking – To consider the changing environment, recognizing our work impacts to a wide range of stakeholders.

Develop Self and Others – To continuously grow and learn from our experiences, adapt, and keep current with our skills and knowledge to stay ahead of new developments.
 

Qualifications

Required:
•    University degree in a related field such as Environmental Science, Environmental Communication or Biology.
•    Minimum of four years of progressively responsible experience in a combination of areas, such as strategic planning, issues management and/or strategic relationships is required. 

Equivalencies will be considered - related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one for one basis. 

The following experience would be considered an asset:

Graduate degree in an environmental science or environmental communication discipline.
Direct experience working in an executive office environment.
Experience writing and editing briefing notes and action requests 
Project management experience.
Familiarity with appropriate stakeholder groups and their issues.
Relevant work experience with government roles, structure, policies and procedures.
Previous support or involvement with advisory or expert panels.

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

Hours of work: 36.25  

A cover letter is required. In your cover letter, please provide information that clearly demonstrates how your qualifications meet the advertised requirements for this position. Please also outline any ministries you are specifically interested in working for.
 

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. As well, 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).
 

Pre-employment checks will be completed to assess the candidate’s suitability for the role. These checks can include (but are not limited to): references, criminal records check, and academic verification. 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. 

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. 

What we Offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service – https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) – https://www.mepp.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