Product Owner

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Manager, Digital Transformation, the Product Owner is a key resource in the mandate of the SCSS Modernization Office with operational responsibility for delivering the digital services.

The Product Owner, working closely with the Ministries of Technology and Innovation (T&I) and Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction (SARTR), has operational responsibility to help drive the design, development and implementation of digital products and services related to enterprise-wide modernization and transformation of processes and systems to improve client and staff experiences.
 

The Product Owner is responsible for working with SCSS digital delivery partners to realize the project outcomes inclusive of operations, government technology providers including T&I and SARTR, and contracted resources to ensure digital services are effectively prioritized, developed, and implemented within an established governance framework and overarching strategy.
 

Key responsibilities of the Product Owner:

• Lead the development and delivery of new digital services
• Identify business needs, requirements and opportunities
• Define the product vision and strategy
• Create and manage multiple products simultaneously
• Collaborate and consult with a broad group of stakeholders
• Make product decisions
• Provide leadership and guidance to the development team
• Ensure product quality
• Facilitate demos to leadership, partners and stakeholders
• Evaluate and report product progress
• Review and monitor completed work

The Product Owner(s) will be assigned to lead products within a specific program area, which may include Employment and Financial Services, Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee, Disability Services, or Assisted Living Alberta.

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.

Agility: Identifies and manages required change and the associated risks.
Drive for Results: Takes and delegates responsibility for outcomes.
Build Collaborative Environments: Collaborates across functional areas and proactively addresses conflict.
Creative Problem Solving: Engages the community and resources at hand to address issues.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• University graduation in business administration, public administration, information technology, or other related fields, plus four (4) years progressively responsible related experience.
• Experience in software/technology and/or product/project management. 
• Training and/or experience in the application of User Experience (UX) design principles, tools, and methodologies. 

Equivalencies: 
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:

• Product owner/scrum or project management certification is preferred. 
• Experience in agile methodology within a digital team environment. 
• Demonstrated competencies in leading and participating in project teams including business areas and technical resource.
• Demonstrated knowledge of government strategic goals and policy directions, particularly as they relate to SCSS mandated business plans, priorities, organization, and decision-making structures of lead, partner, and support ministries.
• Demonstrated knowledge of SCSS programs, services, service delivery mechanisms and Information Technology systems.
• Demonstrated understanding of the behaviors and preferences of individuals accessing SCSS programs and services, including barriers to access.
• Demonstrated knowledge in the following areas:
  • Innovation and best practices in social services policy, practice and service delivery; 
  • Industry best practices and methodologies related to product development, human centered design, product management, evaluation and monitoring, including knowledge of business planning and strategic alignment processes, outcomes management, financial management, capacity management, performance management, risk management and stakeholder management

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: 36.25 hours per week, Monday – Friday
 

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.
 

A cover letter is encouraged. Your cover letter and resume will be used as a screening tool to assess your written communication. An additional written assignment may be used as part of the screening process.
 

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
• 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.