Licensing Program Specialist

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Licensing Manager, the Licensing Program Specialist will exercise delegated authority to make complex licensing decisions, provide expert advice to stakeholders and leadership, and contribute to the continuous improvement of licensing policies, processes, and regulatory frameworks. You will play a critical role in ensuring licensing decisions are fair, transparent, consistent, and aligned with legislative and policy requirements.

Advanced Licensing Adjudication and Decision-Making:

• Lead the review, assessment, and adjudication of complex, high-risk, controversial, or sensitive licensing applications, renewals, suspensions, and cancellations.
• Exercise delegated authority to approve, deny, suspend, cancel, or impose conditions on licenses based on legislative, regulatory, and policy requirements.
• Interpret and apply legislation, regulations, standards, and policy frameworks to ensure defensible and consistent licensing decisions.
• Provide expert guidance and direction to Licensing Liaison Officers (LLOs) and licensing staff regarding legislative changes, policy updates, and adjudication practices.
• Conduct final-level reviews and quality assurance of licensing decisions and renewal applications.
• Ensure adherence to principles of procedural fairness, transparency, consistency, and accountability in all licensing decisions.
• Support clients and stakeholders by providing clarification regarding licensing requirements, documentation, and payment processes.

Compliance Oversight and Risk Management:

• Develop and maintain risk-based approaches to licensing oversight and compliance monitoring.
• Identify emerging, systemic, and operational risks impacting licensing integrity and regulatory compliance.
• Lead responses to complex licensing issues, complaints, investigations, and appeals.
• Prepare comprehensive decision rationales, correspondence, briefing materials, and recommendations related to regulatory actions.
• Recommend appropriate regulatory responses to manage identified risks and support compliance outcomes.

Policy Development and Strategic Advisory:

• Lead and support the development, evaluation, and modernization of licensing policies, procedures, and operational frameworks.
• Analyze legislative and regulatory impacts and recommend policy improvements.
• Provide strategic advice and briefing materials to senior leadership on emerging trends, risks, compliance issues, and legislative gaps.
• Recommend program enhancements that strengthen regulatory effectiveness, service delivery, and stakeholder outcomes.

Role Responsibilities Continued

Operational Leadership and Program Coordination:

• Provide functional leadership, mentorship, and technical expertise to Licensing Liaison Officers and licensing staff.
• Develop and maintain standardized tools, templates, procedures, and operational guidelines.
• Monitor program performance, service standards, and workload distribution to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.
• Identify opportunities for innovation, process improvement, and operational excellence.
• Support consistent application of licensing practices across the program area.

Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management:

• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with operators, industry representatives, government partners, regulatory agencies, and enforcement organizations.
• Serve as a senior point of contact for complex, sensitive, or high-profile stakeholder matters.
• Facilitate discussions and resolve issues through effective communication, negotiation, and problem-solving.
• Represent the licensing program in meetings, consultations, and stakeholder engagements.
  
  

Data Analysis, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement:

• Analyze licensing, compliance, operational, and risk data to identify trends, issues, and opportunities.
• Develop reports, briefing notes, presentations, and recommendations for senior leadership.
• Monitor performance measures and compliance indicators to support evidence-based decision-making.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, transparency, accountability, and regulatory outcomes.
  
  

The Job Description is provided for Further details on 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. 

Systems Thinking

• Take a holistic and future-focused approach to addressing complex issues and opportunities.
• Anticipate the impacts and consequences of decisions on stakeholders, programs, and service delivery.
• Seek diverse perspectives to inform recommendations and achieve sustainable outcomes.
• Align actions and priorities with Alberta Public Service values and organizational objectives.
• Collaborate across teams and business areas to identify opportunities for partnership and shared success.

Creative Problem Solving

• Investigate root causes and underlying issues to develop effective solutions.
• Identify opportunities to improve and modernize complex systems, processes, and practices.
• Leverage expertise, resources, and knowledge from across the organization to support problem resolution.
• Foster collaboration, discussion, and constructive debate to generate ideas and innovative approaches.
• Balance creativity with sound judgment when evaluating risks and implementing solutions.

Agility

• Identify and evaluate alternative approaches to addressing challenges and achieving objectives.
• Support and guide others through organizational, legislative, and operational changes.
• Communicate the impacts of changes clearly and proactively to stakeholders.
• Anticipate concerns, challenges, and barriers while maintaining a focus on desired outcomes.
• Make informed decisions in uncertain situations and develop contingency plans to mitigate risks and maintain service excellence.
  
  

Develop Networks

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Seek opportunities to engage diverse groups and broaden perspectives.
• Incorporate stakeholder input into decision-making, planning, and change initiatives.
• Foster trust, collaboration, and open communication across programs and organizations.
• Leverage networks to advance organizational priorities and achieve long-term strategic objectives.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standards
University graduation in arts, public administration, business, economics, education, science and human services or a related field, 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.

The following experience is required:

• Strong strategic and systems thinking abilities to understand broader impacts and implications of decisions and processes. 
• Advanced research, analytical, evaluation, and investigative skills. 
• Strong conflict resolution, negotiation, and problem-solving abilities. 
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills. 

The following experience is considered as assets:

• Knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply relevant legislation, regulations, and policy, including the Continuing Care Act and associated requirements. 
• Knowledge of continuing care operators and the broader continuing care sector. 
•  Knowledge of government ministries, regulatory organizations, and industry partners that influence or are impacted by branch decisions. 
• Knowledge of administrative fairness principles and their application in regulatory decision-making.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint, and other business productivity tools.

The following experience will be given preference:

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to tailor messaging to diverse audiences.
• Proven relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills. 
• Excellent organizational, coordination, and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities. 
• High level of attention to detail and sound judgment.
  
  

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 

Notes

Hours of work are 08:15 AM to 04:30 PM, Monday to Friday. This is a full-time temporary position, working 36.25 hours per week until March 31, 2028.

Location: ATB Place North, 10025 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 1S6.

Final candidates may be required to undergo a criminal records check (CRC). 

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.  

A cover letter outlining how your experience relates to the qualifications of this role is required. In your cover letter, please briefly summarize:
      1) How your professional and/or academic background relates to this role, including your direct and transferable expertise and skills.
      2) Reason(s) for interest in this role.

Links and information on what we have to offer: 

• Working for the Alberta Public Service

• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP)
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information

• Professional learning and development

• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.