Manager, Climate Adaptation

Role Responsibilities

Are you passionate about building Alberta’s resilience to the impacts of a changing climate, and in growing adaptation capacity in the province? Then please consider this opportunity within Environment & Parks to lead adaptation policies and programs.

Reporting to the Director of Adaptation and Programs, this position is responsible for leading and coordinating departmental initiatives that help Albertans, communities and government adapt to the impacts of a changing climate. This includes policy and strategy development, information sharing, capacity building, establishing and maintaining partnerships, liaising with other ministries and governments, and fostering programs.

This position will involve policy leadership, project management, program design and delivery, grant and contract management, stakeholder engagement and cross-ministry coordination.

Advancing regional and provincial adaptation priorities may involve working collaboratively with provincial ministries, other governments, Indigenous communities and organizations, research institutions, non-governmental organizations, professional associations and industry. Experience working with stakeholders and governments with varying perspectives and leading multi-year strategies, policies and/or programs will be required.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading the development and implementation of provincial and departmental climate adaptation policies and programs and supporting related initiatives across government.
• Managing and directing the work of the department’s Climate Adaptation Team including policy research, analysis, advice, issues management, program development and management, and evaluation of implementation.  
• Supporting the integration of climate adaptation practices into government strategies and initiatives.
• Representing Alberta in multi-stakeholder and multi-jurisdictional forums, which will require on-the-spot communication and management of issues.
• Working on complex files that require a balance of economic, social and environmental outcomes with multiple inputs and positions.
• Support priorities of the department more broadly as needed. 

Some travel may be required in the position, primarily within Alberta, but potentially interprovincial or broader.

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.

• DEVELOP SELF AND OTHERS - A commitment to lifelong learning and the desire to invest in the development of the long-term capability of yourself and others by managing a team in an effective manner.
• DEVELOP NETWORKS - Leads coordination of Government of Alberta input to provincial, federal, and national initiatives on adaptation, including identifying Alberta's priorities and opportunities.
• SYSTEMS THINKING - Leads Alberta's approach to embed climate adaptation into government policies and programs, which requires understanding of government systems in a manner to integrate climate risks (e.g. infrastructure investments) and build resilience.
• BUILD COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENTS - Leads Alberta's input/influence of regional partnerships, including other governments, academia and business stakeholders and works to find areas of common interest to achieve provincial goals.
• DRIVE FOR RESULTS - Manages programs and initiatives with accountabilities to Government of Alberta and other funders (e.g. designs and executes programs to meet objectives of multiple organizations).

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• University Degree in environmental science, geography, sustainable or community development, political or social science, business administration or a related field.
• A minimum of 4 years of related work experience is required, including experience in managing project teams, policy advisors/analysts, and grants and contracts.

Preference may be given to candidates with a master’s level education, and/or with previous government experience.

Equivalencies may be considered on a one-for-one basis.

Knowledge and Abilities:

• A broad knowledge of the functions and processes of government and the public service.
• Effective communication skills, verbal, non-verbal and written.
• Strong interpersonal and management skills, and proven skills in systems thinking, problem solving, and decision making, including negotiation skills and the ability to influence others.
• A broad knowledge of matters associated with a changing climate and climate adaptation processes, including the issues being managed and actions being undertaken within Alberta, other provinces, and other orders of government. 
• Experience in policy analysis, research, design, and implementation.
• Experience working with stakeholders that often have competing interests.
• Knowledge of strategic planning, issues management and public administration practices.

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: This is a permanent salaried 36.25-hour per week position.

Please Note: Final candidates will be required to undergo security screening. Applicants are required to provide a cover letter with clear and concise specific examples that demonstrate how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements and competencies. The cover letter may be used to assess an applicant’s written communication skills. A test to evaluate an applicant’s writing skills may be included as part of the interview process.

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.
• 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.