Manager, Teacher Certification

Role Responsibilities

Leading certification excellence to support Alberta’s education system.

The Manager, Teacher Certification provides strategic leadership to teams responsible for certificating prospective Alberta teachers and teacher leaders in accordance with legislation, regulation, and policy. This role ensures certification practices are consistent, responsive, and aligned with provincial and pan Canadian requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Leads and manages staff responsible for teacher and teacher leader certification
• Oversees the application of legislation, regulations, and policies related to certification
• Identifies emerging certification issues and leads the evaluation and implementation of solutions
• Leads and supports pan Canadian labour mobility discussions and certification decisions
• Champions change management and implementation of updated certification practices
• Develops and oversees internal and external communications related to certification
• Provides expert advice to senior leadership by translating complex certification requirements into clear, actionable information
• Supports policy development, operational improvements, and dispute resolution related to certification
• Applies sound judgment to address emerging issues, inquiries, and risks impacting certification outcomes

This role requires strong leadership, policy interpretation, and issues management skills, along with the ability to provide clear, informed advice in a complex and evolving regulatory environment.

Please click on the link to view the job description.

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.

Critical Competencies:

• Systems Thinking
  Takes a strategic, long-term view of Alberta’s education workforce and teacher certification system. Anticipates trends, risks, and interdependencies across legislation, policy, labour mobility, and stakeholder impacts. Aligns strategies and decisions with ministry and government-wide priorities to strengthen certification outcomes province-wide.
• Drive for Results
  Accountable for delivering high-impact certification and workforce initiatives in a complex and evolving regulatory environment. Effectively prioritizes competing demands, manages resources, and ensures timely, defensible decisions that support ministry objectives and public confidence in the certification process.
• Creative Problem Solving
  Navigates complex and sensitive certification issues by analyzing root causes, evaluating risks, and developing practical, evidence-based solutions. Applies sound judgment when addressing emergent issues, appeals, and policy interpretation while balancing legislative requirements, stakeholder interests, and operational realities.
• Develop Networks
  Builds and maintains strong working relationships with internal partners, cross-ministry colleagues, national counterparts, post-secondary institutions, regulatory bodies, and education stakeholders. Influences collaboration and consensus to advance shared goals related to teacher and leader certification and labour mobility.
• Build Collaborative Teams
  Leads, supports, and develops a diverse team responsible for certification decision-making. Creates an inclusive, respectful, and high-performing work environment that promotes accountability, continuous improvement, and professional growth.

Qualifications

Education

A university degree in a related discipline, such as Education is preferred, plus 4 years of progressive related experience. Candidates are required to have an Alberta Permanent Professional Certificate in teaching. 

Demonstrated leadership or supervisory experience mentoring and coaching individuals is an asset. 

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  

Other Requirements:

• A cover letter must be provided that clearly and concisely outlines how the candidate meets the requirements outlined in the job ad in paragraphs. The candidate’s resume and cover letter will be used to evaluate writing ability and could disqualify them from the competition. 

The position requires the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Knowledge of program models and current research regarding trends in teacher education and certification, labour relations, workforce development, human resources, adult education, training and development, and relevant legislation and  policies (e.g. Teaching Quality Standard, Education Act, Certification of Teachers and Teacher Leaders Regulation and other related regulations, Guide to Education, Post-secondary Learning Act, Labour Mobility Act etc.)
• Knowledge and experience in developing government policy
• Knowledge and experience in leading staff and in understanding and motivating others to achieve diverse and broad goals
• Current or previous experience writing and preparing documents, briefings, reports, and presentations as well as providing recommendations to senior and executive leadership
• Knowledge and experience related to best practices for change management with both internal and external stakeholders
• In-depth knowledge of teacher and leader certification practices (both in Alberta and across Canada), education labour market and student population issues and trends within the education sector workforce

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 is one permanent full-time position working for 36.25 hours per week located in Edmonton.

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

Please attach a cover letter to your application clearly explaining your suitability for the role. Applications without a cover letter may not be reviewed.

In your resume, please include tenure of each employment (in months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part time or full time.

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.
•    Pension plan: 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.