Municipal Viability Advisor

Role Responsibilities

As a Municipal Viability Advisor, you will play a key role in supporting Alberta municipalities by providing expertise, analysis, and guidance on governance, restructuring, and viability matters. In this role, you will:

1. Support Municipal Governance Restructuring
•    Lead, participate in, or advise on municipal restructuring processes and governance options, with a primary focus on municipal viability reviews and amalgamations.
•    Prepare reports in consultation with elected officials, senior municipal administrators, provincial ministries, associations, community groups, and the public.
•    Facilitate public consultations by engaging stakeholders, leading discussions, and hosting public meetings to identify issues and community priorities.

2. Conduct Research and Policy Analysis
•    Contribute to studies evaluating the effectiveness of unit, branch, and division initiatives.
•    Support cross-divisional efforts to develop policy recommendations and legislative amendments to the Municipal Government Act and related regulations.
•    Review and validate the sufficiency of petitions submitted to the Minister.

3. Develop and Support Programs and Projects
•    Collaborate with colleagues to design and deliver projects and programs aligned with ministry business plan requirements.
•    Prepare detailed proposals for new initiatives, including validation and refinement in consultation with stakeholders.
•    Assist with project management frameworks, prepare requests for proposals, evaluate bids, and oversee consulting contracts.

4. Provide Technical Advice and Stakeholder Support
•    Respond to inquiries and complaints from municipalities, stakeholders, and the public through telephone, email, and written correspondence.
•    Provide legislative and policy guidance to municipal administrators, elected officials, and ministry staff.
•    Support the delivery of training and information for municipal councils and staff, including presentations, workshops, and website resources.

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 holistic long term view towards organizations objectives and how to achieve them. The proactive nature of this role requires a systems understanding of both Provincial government policies and local municipal goals.

Creative Problem Solving - Often the details required to understand a situation in this role lie in the subtext of what is and is not said and requires a variety of techniques to look at the various elements of a problem and align it with multiple pieces of information to determine the best solution.

Drive For Results - Success in this role requires the ability to prioritize work, learn from past experience and seek advice where needed on how to manage and address multiple priority projects.

Agility - Much of the work in this role rests in a politically charged environment.  Consequently priorities and direction can shift quickly as new information comes to light.

Qualifications

University graduation in 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.

Assets:

• Previous municipal government experience, preferred at a senior management level.
• Certification in local government from the University of Alberta Extension program or equivalent; the National Advanced Certificate in Local Authority Administration; or the Certified Local Government Managers (CLGM) designation is an asset.
• Familiarity with Municipal Government Act and Local Authorities Election Act

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

Shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a written assessment.

This position requires occasional travel, estimated at up to 10%

•    If a security screening is required;
•    Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

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.
•    Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
•    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 working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement.
•    Leadership and mentorship programs.