Regional Planning Analyst

Role Responsibilities

Looking to build relationships across Alberta? Interested in supporting strategic policy objectives that positively impact the land use and natural resource development in Alberta? 

The Land Use Secretariat is seeking an engaging, collaborative, and team-oriented individual who has knowledge and experience fostering relationships and engaging a diverse range of parties and coordinating consultation for land use planning and land stewardship tools under Alberta Land Stewardship Act (ALSA).

Reporting to either the Manager, Regional Planning North or South, the Regional Planning Analyst is a senior professional position that contributes significantly to advancing ALSA Regional Plans through provision of planning, research, and analysis to inform and shape regional planning and LUF policy, implementation options, and development and implementation options for Land Stewardship Tools.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify issues, analyze relevant information, lead environmental scanning exercises, and coordinate responses.
• Draft materials for decision-making, review plans, and provide value-added information in a timely manner.
• Lead and coordinate committees' priority initiatives and represent the Secretariat in committees and working groups.
• Establish strong, collaborative relationships with key stakeholders and other jurisdictions, liaising with stakeholders to gather, exchange and analyze information, and provide resulting advice, input, and recommendations.
• Provide advice and recommendations to the Regional Planning Manager and other senior and executive leaders to inform branch planning, operations, and reporting.
• Research and develop consistent guides, tools, and processes for regional planning system design.
• Research diverse perspectives and develop recommendations related to policy, cumulative effects management approaches, integration and trade-off tools, and scenario models.
• Support establishment of Regional Advisory Councils ensuring participation from public, stakeholders, industries, municipalities, and Indigenous groups.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with other GOA ministry partners and represent LUS at stakeholder and cross-ministry engagement meetings.
• Participate in engagement and consultation with internal and external stakeholders to address emerging issues and provide clarity.
• Conduct analysis of draft regional planning policy options and identify areas of alignment and potential gaps.
• Support the development of performance indicators and conduct research on policy and practices in other jurisdictions.
• The Secretariat works in a fast-paced environment supporting executive level decision-making and deals with a large volume of policy issues and decisions. As such the position must balance competing interests and priorities in an effective and efficient manner. Time management, organization and coordination skills are essential.

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.
 

Develop Networks: Proactively engages with various groups to achieve outcomes, creating a robust network of policy expertise for regional planning and Land Stewardship Tools while facilitating regular communication and mutual learning opportunities with stakeholders.
 

Systems Thinking: Considers the broader impacts of changes on land use and stakeholders, actively seeks input, connects stakeholders to share information and build skills, and identifies emerging trends to propose effective policy options.
 

Agility: Manages multiple concurrent projects, redirects focus as needed, supports Regional Planning Analysts in achieving goals, and helps stakeholders adapt to new processes or policies.
 

Building Collaborative Environments: to promote collaboration and commitment, encourage broad thinking on projects, work together to eliminate barriers to progress, and facilitate open and respectful dialogue. 
 

Drive for Results: in exercising exceptional project management, facilitation and conflict resolution skills in achieving outcomes through broad and multi-disciplinary interests. Structured decision making, consensus building, and conflict resolution are critical to this position.

Qualifications

University graduation in (Political Science, public administration, social sciences, business administration, education, or a related field) in a field related to the position assignment, supplemented by four years progressively responsible related experience in public policy or land and natural resource planning development or implementation, or equivalent, is required.

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:

• To support the range of priority and policy areas covered by regional plans, background in any of the following areas is considered an asset: energy policy; agriculture policy; land use planning; economics; social policy; municipal development; various environmental policy areas (water, air, cumulative effects management or other related).
• Knowledge of land use related legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures including the Alberta Land Stewardship Act (ALSA) and ALSA Regulations, the Land Use Framework, the Public Lands Act, and the Municipal Government Act.
• An understanding of natural resource related legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures such as the Water Act, Forests Act, Mines and Minerals Act, and the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act.
• Knowledge of Land Stewardship Tools and programs under ALSA, and theoretical knowledge of other jurisdictions’ legislation, regulations, policies and procedures related to land stewardship tools and programs.
• Understanding of implementation for regulatory and non-regulatory programs.
• Some related land or resource planning development and implementation (decision-making, evaluation, compliance) experience (preferably in a government or decision-making environment). 
• Knowledge and experience with public and/or Indigenous engagement and consultation, and feedback analysis.
• Prior leadership experience and ability to lead or coordinate teams, ensure appropriate collaboration to develop a timely and coordinated approach.
• Experience preparing materials for executive-level consideration.
• Expertise in verbal and written communication, as assessed in resume, cover letter and potential testing.
   

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

There are a total of five positions, all of which are full-time, permanent opportunities in Edmonton.

This position works Monday to Friday, 8:15 AM-4:30 PM, 36.25 hours a week.

A written assessment will be conducted as part of the interview process.

In your application, please a include cover page detailing your interest, and role related experience. In your resume 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).

This position will require final candidates to undergo a security clearance. 

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. 
 

What we offer:

• 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.