Policy Analyst

Role Responsibilities

• Coordinates and supports policy coordination functions across the department.
  • Collect and consolidate ministry-wide information to track the status and forward-looking trajectory of key initiatives (policy proposals, legislation, regulations, etc.).
  • Coordination of reporting to Executive Council on government commitments and mandate items for which Municipal Affairs is responsible.
• Supports policy development by aligning the timing and content of legislative instruments with government policy direction.
  • Maintain knowledge of, and advise on, current policy issues and changes that may impact the Ministry's legislation or may require additional tools to achieve the outcome of the Ministry's legislation and mandate.
  • Conduct research and develop briefing materials, options, and recommendations on proposed changes to legislation and regulations. 
  • Provide advice to Ministry staff on current government practices related to policy approval and the legislative process.
  • Advise on timelines and milestones for policy development so they can be sequenced with development of legislation/regulations in order to implement policy changes within desired timeframes. Make recommendations on project plans, resourcing, and timelines to reach milestones.
  • Maintain reporting documents and tracking documents to communicate processes and timelines and support effective sequencing of initiatives.
  • Monitor and identify legislative trends in other government departments and jurisdictions to ensure Municipal Affairs legislation is up to date.
• Collaborate with program area experts to ensure Cabinet and Committee materials are accurate and compliant with government-decision making requirements and statutory requirements
  • Provide timely, high-quality analysis and advice on legislative options and processes (e.g., risks, costs, benefits, implementation impacts). 
  • Coordinate and prepare required documentation (e.g., transmittal memos, briefing notes, etc.) for policy, legislative, and regulatory changes by collaborating with branch and program area staff, including by providing feedback on decision-making processes for new policy or program initiatives.
  • Complete review of policy, legislative, and regulatory packages, providing advice to management and program areas on content, completeness, and accuracy. 
  • Support program areas to clearly articulate policy options to achieve desired outcomes.
    
    This position is a key conduit to department leaders and program areas on the current status of policy, legislative, and regulatory projects and priorities across the Ministry.

Qualifications

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.

A related University degree such as Public Administration, Arts, Political Science, Law, or Business plus a minimum 4 years of progressively responsible related experience is required.

Equivalencies: Equivalencies may be considered.

Requirements:
 

• Excellent interpersonal skills, relationship management, and communication skills, including the ability to consult and communicate with Ministry staff at all levels.
• Well-developed analytical and research skills and the ability to assess complex problems and issues.
• Excellent written communication skills with aptitude for detail and accuracy and ability to modify writing style for different target audiences.
• Ability to probe for and present information and options that facilitate government decision-making.
• Ability to develop an idea from concept to implementation.
• Ability to work collaboratively in multi-disciplinary and multi-level team settings. 
• Ability to work under tight timelines and assess and balance competing demands on confidential and sensitive matters.
• Strong project management and time management skills, with ability to work independently and in a team setting.

Assets: 
 

• Strong political acumen and ability to assess sensitivity and risk to specific legislative issues; and the ability to take action to mitigate those risks.

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.

Agility - Given the sensitive, high-profile nature of this initiative, direction may be adjusted from time to time in order to address issues. Incumbent must be able to anticipate and plan for changes and reset existing project plans to meet the new direction.

Build Collaborative Environment - Works with a variety of internal stakeholders across the department and government to engage municipal and industrial stakeholders on the assessment model review. Implements mechanisms, such as terms of references, to ensure working group teams are successful.

Drive for Results - Develops and monitors projects plans to monitor progress of project deliverables. In some case the manager may be responsible for deliverables produced by stakeholder committees, technical working groups, or cross-divisional teams where the manager has influence but not direct control over the results.

Systems Thinking - Seeks to understand how other Government of Alberta strategic policy, such as oil and gas development, aligns with issues related to regulated industrial property assessment. Clearly understands competing and differing stakeholder viewpoints on assessment model issues.

Notes

This position may be used to fill future vacancies across the Government of Alberta, at equal or lower classification and salary.

Hours of Work: 
 

• 7.25 daily hours.
• 36.25 hours per week.
• 8:15AM to 4:30PM (Monday to Friday).
   

Location: Edmonton

Other information:
 

• Top candidates will be required to undergo security screening.
• Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
• Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience and relevant examples of required competencies.
• Written assessment may be used as part of the screening/selection 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 Government of Alberta has 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 - support-directive">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.