Field Services Manager

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Branch Director, the Field Services Manager leads a team in supporting the department, Minister of Education and Childcare,  several Kindergarten to Grade 12 school authorities including charter and independent school operators across a broad geographic area of the province, as well as parents and school authorities associated with home education. Within the context of legislation, regulations and policies, the Field Services Manager promotes innovation and system effectiveness; monitors and provides direction to school authorities including charter and independent school operators for compliance on planning, reporting and accountability/assurance requirements; and is accountable for ensuring school authority compliance. The Field Services Manager also supports school authorities with issues management and fosters continuous improvement. This position handles highly confidential information and is relied on to exercise sound judgment when providing information to Ministry staff, stakeholders and the public. 

This leadership role strengthens connections between ministry priorities and school authority work in the service of several hundred thousand Kindergarten to Grade 12 students across the province of Alberta. This position is required to travel regularly within the province of Alberta for meetings with school authority leaders and stakeholders (the Field).  

Travel outside of the office is required and involves a combination of day and overnight trips (about 10%  of total work time over the course of the year)..

Role Cont'd

Leadership & Advisory Services

• Provide strategic advice and guidance on education legislation, policies, and ministry initiatives
• Support school authorities and stakeholders in implementing programs and improving student outcomes
• Exercise sound judgment when working with sensitive information and advising senior leadership

Oversight & Compliance

• Oversee and monitor 10–15 school authorities (including charter and/or independent school operators) to ensure compliance with legislation and policy requirements
• Lead the evaluation and approval of education plans, annual results reports, charter school applications and renewals, and independent school  annual operating plans
• Collaborate with internal partners to support planning, reporting, and system assurance processes

Issue Management & Risk Mitigation

• Manage complex issues, ensuring accountability through corrective actions and improvement plans
• Recommend and support escalating interventions where needed, including regulatory or governance actions
• Occasionally provide interim leadership support to school authorities

Policy Advice & System Intelligence

• Gather and analyze system insights to identify trends, risks, and opportunities
• Provide briefings, Action Requests, and strategic advice to senior leadership and the Minister
• Support policy development and the implementation of system-wide initiatives

Stakeholder Engagement & System Improvement

• Build strong relationships with school authority leaders and stakeholders across the province
• Promote alignment between ministry direction and local implementation
• Identify opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement across the education system

Operational Leadership

• Lead a high-performing team delivering field services across a large geographic region
• Travel within Alberta (10–20%) to maintain strong field presence and stakeholder connections

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 - Considers the impact of strategies and changes on the work of clients, stakeholders, and team members and support organization vision and goals through strategic planning of tasks and considering relationships between different work approaches and their impact on different programs, divisions and ministries.

• Creative Problem Solving - Facilitate the creation of a work environment for generating and finding newer ideas to solve existing and potential problems 

• Build Collaborative Environments – Strong track record in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
   
• Drive for Results -  Designs and manages projects to achieve intended outcomes and deliverables within allotted timeframes and budget.
   
• Develop Networks - Develops and sustains a network of relationships across the division and with other GOA ministries on issues and work with other branches to develop effective communication channels to enhance and maximize the effectiveness of interactions.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standard:
 

• University graduation in a field related to the position assignment, supplemented by four years related experience. 
• Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one for one basis. 
• An active Permanent Teaching Certificate is required.

Assets:
 

• Master’s Degree is an asset 
• Leadership experience at the school and/or school authority level experience as a Principal/Vice Principal/Deputy Principal etc. is a strong asset 
• Leadership Quality Standard (LQS) and/or Superintendent Leadership Quality Standard (SLQS) certification is an asset.
• Comprehensive knowledge of government strategic priorities, policy directions, and ministry business plan goals 
• Some Project Management experience since the role requires working on multiple projects with coinciding deadlines 
• Overall operational knowledge of the Kindergarten to Grade 12 education system, including the management of numerous school authorities and schools 
• Knowledge of MS Office products, primarily MS Word and Excel 
• Experience/training in First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit education 
• Facilitation, mediation and consensus building skills in complex and conflicting circumstances involving multiple people or organizations

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 are four permanent, full-time position working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday. 

Travel outside of the office is required and involves a combination of day and overnight trips (about 10% of total work time over the course of the year).

This position is based in Edmonton; other locations may be considered.

We require you to attach a Cover Letter with your application explaining your qualification and suitability for this role.
    

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.
•    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.
•    Leadership and mentorship programs.