Policy and Issues Advisor

Role Responsibilities

Be Part of Shaping Alberta’s Education System – Join Us as a Policy and Issues Advisor!

Are you ready to make a difference in K-12 education? This role offers the opportunity to influence policy, provide strategic advice, and support initiatives that impact students, educators, and communities across Alberta.

Reporting to the Policy Manager, the Policy and Issues Advisor is a key member of the team, responsible for strategic support, policy development, and expert advice to the Field Services sector, the System Excellence Division, and senior leaders.

As a Policy and Issues Advisor, you will be accountable for the following activities within the division:

• Policy Development & Implementation: Lead and support a wide range of policy initiatives related to K-12 education programs.
• Strategic Analysis & Advice: Work on projects from short-term assignments requiring quick analysis to long-term initiatives with multiple components. Provide recommendations that include options, risks, and supporting evidence.
• Risk Management: Anticipate impacts on students, parents, school boards, educators, and other stakeholders, and develop strategies to mitigate risks.
• Collaboration: Partner with Field Services leadership and staff to ensure projects address emerging issues and align with ministry priorities.

Your work will help ensure Alberta’s education system remains responsive, innovative, and focused on excellence.

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: Ability to position policy advice within the broader context of Education, Childcare, and Government of Alberta corporate priorities, while developing solutions to complex, cross-departmental issues. Skilled in providing strategic guidance and support to the Executive Director, Directors, and FS Managers.
• Develop Networks: Ability to cultivate and leverage strong relationships to gather diverse perspectives, inform decision-making, and effectively engage stakeholders.
• Drive for Results: Ability to deliver high-quality results under tight and shifting timelines, while effectively managing changing priorities.
• Agility: Ability to navigate ambiguity and overcome obstacles where solutions are not immediately clear. Demonstrates agility in adapting to rapidly changing priorities and repurposing strategies to achieve objectives.

Qualifications

Completion of a university degree in a related field such as Political Science, Public Policy, Public Administration, or Education.

Plus, minimum of 4 years of progressively responsible experience, preferably in a government setting, with demonstrated expertise in two or more areas of public policy development and coordination, including:

• Issue identification
• Research and analysis
• Options development
• Consultation and stakeholder engagement
• Decision-making
• Implementation
• Evaluation and performance measurement

An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered on a one-for-one basis.

Qualifications that may help you succeed in this role include:

• Experience in stakeholder engagement, including collaboration and consultation with diverse groups.
• Strong research and analytical skills to support evidence-based decision-making.
• Excellent written communication skills for preparing clear, concise documents.
• Ability to create and deliver presentations tailored for senior leaders and key stakeholders.
• Ability to translate complex or technical information into clear, plain language for diverse audiences.

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

This competition is for a permanent position based in Edmonton, offering a work schedule of Monday to Friday, totaling 36.25 hours per week.

Working location is 8th floor, 44 Capital Boulevard, 10044-108 St. NW, Edmonton.

A cover letter is required with your application and may be used to assess your communication abilities as part of the screening process.

In your cover letter, please provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how your qualifications meet the advertised requirements for this position and the behavioral competencies (Agility, Build Collaborative Environments, Develop Networks, Systems Thinking) required for the role.

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part-time or full-time. For example: January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Assistant (PT three 8 hrs. shifts/week).

The final candidates for this position will be asked to undergo an academic check, references, provide a suitable security screening and may be asked to complete a written exercise and/or assessment.

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

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 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.
• 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.