Program and Policy Advisor

Role Responsibilities

The Workplace Policy and Legislation (WPL) Branch is a fast-paced and results-oriented environment that strives for excellence while developing the policies and legislation that govern Alberta’s workplaces. The WPL branch has three teams responsible for maintaining and developing employment standards, labour relations, workers’ compensation and occupational health and safety legislation.

The Executive Director of WPL is looking for a Program and Policy Advisor to provide policy coordination, strategic advice, and assistance to the branch’s programs. The Program and Policy Advisor provides advice on, develops and implements initiatives and tasks related to the branch’s core policy and program areas. The position works to supplement existing resources in a variety of ways, including assessing emerging issues, research, analysis and advice. Additionally, the Program and Policy Advisor will be responsible for developing strategic responses to internal and external stakeholders.

The position supervises the branch’s two office administrators to ensure there is appropriate overall coordination of the tasks and projects to implement the direction provided to the branch, and to ensure that all three teams have appropriate administrative support to enable their work.

The Program and Policy Advisor contributes to shaping a positive workplace culture and advancing organizational development across the branch. This includes identifying opportunities to improve internal processes (such as onboarding, training, knowledge and records management), fostering collaboration among teams (such as branch communications and meetings), and supporting change management efforts that align with strategic goals.

The successful candidate must possess the following skills:

• Exceptional analytical and critical thinking skills to assess emerging workplace issues and develop evidence-based recommendations.
• Ability to understand, synthesize and communicate a large volume of complex information under tight deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare briefing notes, reports, and policy documents for decision-makers.
• Knowledge and experience with decision-making and policy development processes as well as public consultation processes within government.
• Strong organizational and project management capabilities, including scheduling, workflow optimization, and cross-team coordination.
• Ability to lead, fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment based on clear and constructive feedback.
• Ability to simultaneously manage a wide variety of projects and processes in achieving the branch’s goals and strategies. 

If this opportunity interests you, please do not hesitate to apply!

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.

In this role, you will contribute to our team by demonstrating the following behavioral competencies:

Systems Thinking: Considers and plans for how current policies, processes and methods might be affected in the short, medium, and long-term by broader trends.

Creative Problem Solving: Resourceful in identifying multiple analytical techniques and sources of knowledge to break apart complex problems and proactively present solutions.

Agility: Anticipates changes by maintains awareness of changing organizational priorities and proactively shifts strategic focus and activities as appropriate.

Developing Networks: Identifies people that have significant potential for contribution and finds ways to make personal connections.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standards

• 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 based on:
  
  
• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

Preference will be given to candidates with the following assets:

• Demonstrated supervisory experience.
• Superior knowledge of workplace policy and legislation in Alberta.
  
  

Applicants must provide a cover letter that will be used to evaluate writing skills and determine which candidates that will move to the next stage of the recruitment process. The cover letter must be no longer than 750 words and include:
 

• Why the candidate is interested in the position and how it fits into their career plans.
• Key leadership skills and experiences that would help the candidate to be successful in the role; and
• What the candidate anticipates the largest challenge would be for them in this role and how they would overcome that challenge.
  
  

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 full-time, permanent position based in Edmonton or Calgary, working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Resumes must include precise employment dates (month and year) to assist in assessing written communication skills and attention to detail.

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.
 

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.
• 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.