Manager, Gas Distribution and Programs

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director of Rural Utilities, the Manager, Gas Distribution and Programs position provides leadership, advice, and recommendations concerning the development, operation and maintenance of Alberta's gas distribution industry to help identify, ensure, and encourage safety in the construction, operation and maintenance of their systems. The role provides operational leadership to the Director, Division, and Ministry in the development and delivery of strategic and/or operational objectives regarding the distribution of Alberta's rural utility systems. The position also supports the delivery of other key strategic outcomes tied to rural development initiatives in Alberta. Working with the Director, the Manager of Gas Distribution and Programs must balance the diverse, sensitive, and often competing interests, expectations, and requirements of Alberta's gas distributors.

The Manager, Gas Distribution and Programs provides operational leadership, sound advice, and strategic direction over the following key accountabilities:

1. Policy, Legislative & Ministerial Support

• Provide managerial‑level support throughout the operational lifecycle of Acts and regulations, including those related to the Gas Distribution Act and the Heating Oil and Propane Rebate Act, as well as codes and standards for low pressure gas distribution pipelines, including the Technical Standards and Specification Manual for Natural Gas Distribution Systems in Alberta. Link: Technical Standards Manual - https://open.alberta.ca/publications/technical-standards-specification-manual-natural-gas-distribution-systems-seventh-edition.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of relevant policy and legislation to support process development, inspection frameworks, and strategic approaches related to Alberta’s gas distribution systems.
• Demonstrate proficiency in the drafting, review, and coordination of Ministerial Briefing Notes and responses to Action Requests, often within short and competing timelines.
• Prepare written reports, technical papers, and policy analyses to support informed decision‑making and legislative compliance.
• Provide expert input on safety and risk management issues, including changes impacting the construction, operation, and maintenance of gas distribution pipelines.
• Support the government’s regulatory role through involvement in external bodies and committees, including the Federation of Alberta Gas Co‑ops Operation & Maintenance Subcommittee and national technical standards committees (e.g., CSA Technical Committee).

2. Stakeholder Engagement & Communications

• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with a broad cross‑section of internal stakeholders (including cross‑ministry partners) and external stakeholders (industry, rural utility associations, and implementing agencies).
• Lead and participate in stakeholder engagement activities to foster collaboration, respond to emerging issues, and provide clear policy and program guidance regarding Alberta’s gas distribution system.
• Provide advice and recommendations to stakeholders to support effective implementation of legislation, programs, and standards.

Role Responsibilities Cont'd

• Regularly communicate and promote Rural Utilities and Rural Development strategic initiatives, including program operations and development processes, through effective written and oral communication strategies.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to gas distributors, stakeholders, and the public on program, policy, and system‑level issues related to gas distribution.
• Represent the Ministry on interdepartmental working groups, committees, and task forces that establish, maintain, or enhance provincial and national standards.

3. People Leadership & Team Development

• Supervise, mentor, and monitor the work of junior employees (e.g., policy analysts), ensuring alignment with branch priorities and legislative requirements.
• Assign and oversee key projects that support the objectives and deliverables of the Rural Utilities Section.
• Lead, coach, and inspire staff to achieve high performance and reach their full potential through effective performance management, timely feedback, and recognition of achievements.
• Promote innovation, continuous improvement, collaboration, and the adoption of better practices to support both short‑term outcomes and long‑term program success.
• Foster a respectful, inclusive workplace culture and encourage healthy work–life balance.
• Model and actively support the Alberta Public Service values of Respect, Accountability, Integrity, and Excellence.
• Support senior management by assuming acting leadership roles as required.

4. Director & Team Support

• At the request of the Director of Rural Utilities, represent the Ministry with gas distributors in accordance with applicable legislation.
• Support departmental policy initiatives by providing program expertise, evaluation, and strategic input related to rural utility associations and gas distributors.
• Contribute to budgeting, forecasting, and financial oversight for rural utilities programs.
• Collaborate closely with the Rural Utilities team to ensure consistency, alignment, and effective program delivery.

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, holistic view of organizational goals to anticipate impacts, engage stakeholders, and deliver sustainable outcomes.

Creative Problem Solving: Collaborates openly to explore issues, enable creative input, and mobilize the right people to solve organizational challenges.

Agility: Leads and manages change by evaluating options, managing risks, communicating impacts, and making timely decisions under uncertainty.

Develop Self and Others: Fosters continuous learning by shaping team learning, creating shared knowledge environments, and applying emerging methods to build individual and team capability.

Develop Networks: Engages diverse stakeholders through strong relationships to build perspective, inform change initiatives, and support long‑term objectives.

Qualifications

University graduation in political science, public administration, business, sciences, etc., or a related field, plus 4 years progressively responsible related experience. Equivalencies may be considered 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.

Required experience:

• Experience preparing clear, concise correspondence and briefing materials.
• Experience providing analysis within a large organization.

The following assets will be considered:

• Understanding of Alberta’s regulatory framework for low pressure gas pipelines.
• Experience working with Rural Utility Associations.
• Understanding of utility distribution systems in Alberta.
• Understanding of the Government of Alberta’s policy development cycle.
• Experience in project coordination and tracking.
• Experience in engaging, and facilitating discussions with, a variety of stakeholders.

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:

• 8:15 am to 4:30 pm.
• 36.25 hours per week (full-time) Monday to Friday.

Term of Employment:

• Temporary (2 Years).

Location:

• Edmonton.

Please note, for all work experience use the following date range format and indicate Full-Time and/or Part-time experience in your resume:

Ex. [Month, Year – Month, Year]- (PT and/or FT)

Cover letter is Preferred.  

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 employee:

• 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.
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as a modified work schedule agreement.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.