Senior Issues Coordinator

Role Responsibilities

Under the general direction of the Issues Manager (IM), the Senior Issues Coordinator works as a key member of the Issues Management unit that supports the Assistant Deputy Minister's Office (ADMO) of the Housing Division and its Branches. This position is a resource to the entire Division by researching, drafting, reviewing and editing correspondence, briefing materials, and government publications. This position is called on to provide support identifying and addressing issues and coordinating complex projects across the Division and the Ministry. The daily activities of this position are purposefully fluid to be able to respond to the most current and pressing issues that arise.

As the Senior Issues Coordinator, you will help identify and assess issues to determine their nature and priority, research and coordinate supporting information, and take appropriate action to deal with all issues in a timely, accurate and coordinated manner. You will be responsible for ensuring the messages and information are accurate, responsive and consistent with all other departmental communications (internal and external) and ensure materials are appropriate for the intended audience. 

You will also perform an essential role in ensuring Albertans have access to the information to support their needs regarding affordable housing. This includes connecting with Albertans living in or in need of affordable housing and with housing providers across the province over the phone or by email.

As a key contact for the coordination and review of projects, requests, and issues flowing through the Division, this position requires a high degree of time management skills and political acumen. This position also has an in-depth knowledge of Action Request Tracking System (ARTS) to facilitate the authorship of routine correspondence including action requests (ARs) and telephone action requests (TARs). Detailed knowledge of complex and constantly evolving policies, procedures and technical aspects of provincial housing programs is required. The Senior Issues Coordinator is also responsible for having extensive knowledge of federal, provincial, municipal and community programs and services available in the housing spectrum

The Senior Issues Coordinator has four primary responsibilities:
1.    Provide appropriate messaging and information to support ministry outcomes
2.    Identify and respond to issues
3.    Communicate directly with Albertans and housing stakeholders on behalf of the Housing Division by email and/ or telephone.
4.    Coordinate, participate, and contribute to projects that impact the direction of service delivery and policy of social programs for Albertans.

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.

As the Senior Issues Coordinator, in addition to your education and experience, you will demonstrate well-honed competencies in the following areas:

•    Systems Thinking: Identify emerging issues, challenges, and opportunities for resolution. 
•    Build Collaborative Environments: Collaborate with ministry staff to deliver programs to Albertans and provincial stakeholder groups.
•    Drive for Results: Knowing what outcomes are important and maximizing resources to achieve results that are aligned with the goals of the organization, while maintaining accountability to each other.
•    Develop Networks: Proactively develop and maintain effective partnerships with multiple stakeholders to achieve collaborative outcomes. 
•    Agility: Anticipate and adapt by focusing on long-term goals, changing the way we approach situations, using new ideas and solutions to achieve results 

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standard

University graduation in a related field plus 2 years progressively responsible related experience; or equivalent as described below

Equivalency: 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.

•    Preference will be given to those who has degree or diploma in Journalism, English, Communications, or relevant field and at least two years’ experience in research, front-line work, communications or writing.

Assets
Knowledge and understanding of:
Relevant division and department business and operational plan goals, objectives, and strategies
•    Understanding of the department and division organizational structures, mandates, programs, and services
•    Government's role, structure, policies, procedures, and protocols
•    Political environment and their implications
•    Interests and perspectives of stakeholders, including other government departments
•    Relationships of the ADMO and the division to key stakeholders and clients
•    Impact of applicable legislation (e.g., Alberta Housing Act)
•    Office software and computer applications (e.g., Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Visio, Adobe Acrobat, PowerPoint, ARTS, etc.)

The Senior Issues Coordinator must have highly developed and demonstrated:
•    Written and verbal communication skills, including ability to communicate effectively with offices of senior department and government representatives and key stakeholders
•    Interpersonal and facilitation skills, including ability to handle sensitive and/or difficult situations and negotiate agreement and commitment to action
Organizational and time 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
•    It is a full-time position based in Edmonton 
•    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
•    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.
•    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 - 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.