Library Legislative Advisor

Role Responsibilities

The job is part of a team that provides professional support to the Ministry in the management and administration of the Libraries Act and Regulation, and that provides professional and consulting support to library trustees and staff in the delivery of public library service in Alberta.

Responsibilities Include:

• Coordinating the Plan of Service process to help library boards conduct community needs assessments and develop service plans for relevant, accountable library services.
• Administer the Libraries Act and Regulation, ensuring library trustees understand their legal roles and library boards comply with provincial legislation.
• Support public library service development by creating resources and tools to help library staff and trustees with effective management, governance, and service delivery, including board/council relations, agreements with other libraries, and policies for services to Indigenous communities and those with print disabilities.
• Participate in Branch planning and strategic public library service initiatives to align Branch plans with Alberta’s evolving service needs and Ministry goals.
• Facilitate Branch operations by preparing materials for internal information requests and responding to public inquiries on provincial library services.

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 whole system and recognizes the linkages within the planning and reporting processes, and the impacts of each decision on the boarder system. Sets goals within the context of long-term outcomes and broad perspectives. This is particularly important in developing documents such as the strategic and business plans, where knowledge of how our desired outcomes, objectives, actions, challenges and opportunities intersect is important.
   
• Agility – Proactively seeks out new opportunities for improvements, takes initiative and is resourceful in coordinating the resources needed, adapts to unforeseen circumstances, and displays a positive attitude toward the work and teammates.
   
• Drive for Results –  Actively set goals and work collaboratively to anticipate potential issues. Supports team members to ensure that goals and objectives are collectively achieved. Knows what outcomes are important and maximizes resources to achieve results that are aligned with the goals of the organizations, while maintaining accountability.
   
• Build Collaborative Environments – Leads and contributes to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve outcomes.
   
• Develop Networks – Proactively builds networks, establishes credibility and builds trust with different stakeholders. Seeks to understand the perspectives in collaborating with stakeholders and, utilizes network to articulate and achieve ministry outcomes.
   

Qualifications

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.

This job requires a minimum of a post-graduate degree in library and information science from an accredited university program plus four years of related work experience. The knowledge base is essential to serve clients within the library profession and to provide advice to non-degree library managers and library trustees who are delivering public library service at the local and regional level. 

Assets:

• Knowledge of public library planning and experience with the Strategic Planning for Results documentation by the Public Library Association.
• Working knowledge of the Libraries Act and Libraries Regulation.
• Understanding of current provincial demographics and municipal issues.
• Valid driver’s license with flexibility to travel to communities across Alberta and to work evenings and weekends as needed.

Skills and Abilities:

• Problem-solving, evaluative, analytical, and synthesizing skills for policy and planning solutions in provincial service delivery.
• Effective communication and public speaking skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively in a team responsible for planning, policy, and service delivery, as well as managing provincial legislation and regulations.
• Demonstrated service-oriented attitude and leadership abilities.
• Consulting, training, and facilitation skills.
• Computer literacy, including experience with public library computer applications.

Notes

This position may be used to fill future vacancies across the Government of Alberta, at equal or lower classification and salary.

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, 36.25 hours per week. (Some evenings and weekends will be required on occasion).

Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience and relevant examples of required competencies.

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
• 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