Grants Specialist

Role Responsibilities

Are you passionate about sustainable agriculture and looking for an opportunity to support innovative grant programs across Alberta?

The Grants Specialist plays an integral role in shaping the success of Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (S CAP) funding initiatives, including the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP). This position is central to delivering well designed, high impact grant programs that support environmental stewardship and long term resilience in Alberta’s agricultural sector.

Reporting to the Manager, Sustainable Agriculture Programming, the Grants Specialist will contribute directly to meaningful outcomes for producers and partners by strengthening grant administration, supporting accountability, and advancing sustainable land and resource management across the province.

This role is well‑suited to someone who enjoys building clear processes, supporting applicants, working with partners across government and industry, and producing credible reporting that strengthens program decision-making and accountability.

In this role, you will:

• Design and improve grant program processes and delivery standards, including end‑to‑end workflow coordination and documentation.
• Develop clear, user‑focused program materials (e.g., guidance and program documents) aligned with program direction and end‑user needs.
• Collaborate with internal teams to support compliance and continuous improvement.
• Support applicants by providing timely guidance, clarifying requirements, and helping resolve issues while maintaining program integrity.
• Review and assess applications for eligibility, funding levels, and technical completeness based on program criteria.
• Monitor budgets and payments. 
• Prepare reports for management and support issue resolution.
• Collect, track, and report performance measures, preparing summaries and recommendations.
• Manage one-off grants and contracts, including risk assessment, project oversight, and reporting.
• Contribute to branch priorities, including briefing notes, decision materials, business planning inputs, and annual reporting.

This position requires a high level of independence, strategic thinking, and adaptability. Key challenges include:

• Interpreting and resolving applicant concern while maintaining program integrity.
• Evaluating program performance and identifying opportunities for system and processes improvements.
• Managing multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

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 - Takes a long-term view towards organization’s objectives and how to achieve them:

• 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.

Drive for Results - Takes and delegates responsibility for outcomes:

• Uses variety of resources to monitor own performance standards.
• Commits to what is good for Albertans even if not immediately accepted.
• Reaches goals consistent with APS direction.

Build Collaborative Environments - Collaborates across functional areas and proactively addresses conflict:

• Encourages broad thinking on projects, and works to eliminate barriers to progress.
• Facilitates communication and collaboration.
• Anticipates and reduces conflict at the outset.

Creative Problem Solving - Engages the community and resources at hand to address issues:

• Finds ways to improve complex systems.
• Employs resources from other areas to solve problems.
• Engages others and encourages debate and idea generation to solve problems while addressing risks.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• A bachelor’s degree in a related field such as Environmental Science, Agriculture, or Public Administration, plus a minimum of 2 years of related experience in grants management, program delivery, or evaluation.
  
  

Equivalencies may be considered - 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.

Preference will be given to those with experience or demonstrated capability in grant program development, delivery, and reporting.

Assets:

• Experience in process development, stakeholder engagement, and quality control.
• Strong analytical skills (working with data and written material), good judgment, and the ability to produce clear recommendations.
• Experience in project coordination, including managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Knowledge of agricultural practices and agri‑environmental issues relevant to Alberta.
• Stakeholder engagement experience with producers, service delivery partners, etc.
• Proven ability to adapt quickly to shifting priorities and unexpected changes, while maintaining focus on overarching program objectives.

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 J.G.O’Donoghue Building.
• Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week.
• Temporary salaried position, ending June 2027 (Maternity Leave).
• Monday to Friday (08:15 am-16:30 pm).
• Travel: < 25% (Some travel within Alberta may be required).

Other Application Information:

• A cover letter is required with your application, outlining how your education and experience align 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.
• This position may require a Class 5 Driver’s License.
• 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.