Senior Policy Analyst

Role Responsibilities

The Ministry of Affordability and Utilities is currently seeking agile and driven Senior Policy Analysts to join their Generation, Transmission and Markets team or Distribution Policy team to support the development and implementation of policies concerning Alberta's electricity industry.

Senior Policy Analysts will focus on the following duties and responsibilities:
 

• Policy Development and Legislative support: Lead in the development of expert advice and recommendations for public policy concerning Alberta's electricity systems industry.  Identify gaps in policy needs and provide analysis on pertinent research areas, anticipate challenges, proactively mitigates concerns and advocates program priorities.
   
• Strategic Research and Advisory: Perform advanced level research and analysis related to policy options and regulations that may have an impact on Alberta's electricity sector. The Senior Policy Analyst will contribute strong analytic skills to the branch to facilitate provision of expert, strategic, and sound advice to senior management and staff to assist in the development of policies, legislation, and regulations in achieving provincial and federal objectives.
   
• Stakeholder Engagement: Represent the Branch/Division at events and on multi-stakeholder working groups as well as collaborate with other internal and external stakeholders, such as other GoA departments, distribution utilities, consumers, and independent agencies such as the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO), the Market Surveillance Administrator (MSA), and the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) to gather information, understand issues, solicit feedback and develop solutions to address concerns and impacts to the electricity market.
   
• Project Management and Leadership: Lead projects for policy development and implementation initiatives, such as development of terms of reference, project planning, project budgeting, and stakeholder identification, project monitoring and reporting working with cross-functional and cross-divisional teams and stakeholders. Successfully anchor multiple projects addressing diverse regulatory objectives.
   
• Issue Analysis and Advisory: Assess and prioritize issues, conduct thorough research, coordinate information, and render accurate advice to Branch Leadership on existing and emerging issues.
   
• Continuous Improvement: Identify and implement process improvements to optimize policy development and implementation across the Branch.
   
• Reporting: Prepare reports, recommendations, briefing materials, and make presentations to internal and/or external stakeholders for information and/or decisions. Synthesize and translate critical information for policy and informational use.

The incumbent must be agile and able to successfully take on emerging responsibilities as the role evolves, as well as demonstrate excellent leadership skills, outstanding communication skills, and the ability to strategically align unit  goals to the overall goals of the department.  Adaptability and systems thinking are critical skills in this position to adjust to changing priorities and assignments and facilitate collaborative discussions that drive toward solutions.

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.
 

• Agility – Works in a changing environment and takes initiative to change. Remains aware of changing government priorities/policies. Takes opportunities to improve work processes and anticipates and adjusts behavior to the changes occurring.
   
• Drive for Results – Works to exceed goals and partner with others to achieve objectives. Plans based on past experiences. Holds self and others accountable for results. Partners with groups to achieve desired outcomes and exceed expectations.
   
• Develop self and others – Seeks out learning and knowledge sharing opportunities. Reflects on performance and identifies development opportunities. Takes initiative to stay current. Shares with the team even when not requested to do so. Actively provides coaching and mentorship for direct reports.
   
• Build Collaborative Environments – Facilitates open communication and leverages team skill and knowledge of others. Genuinely values and learns from others. Facilitates open and respectful conflict resolution. Recognizes and appreciates others.
   
• Creative Problem Solving - Breaks down problems, undertakes appropriate research and investigation and draws on experiences to solve problems. For example, suggesting improvements to current processes and identifying efficiencies.
   
• Systems Thinking - Anticipate outcomes and potential impacts across interrelated areas. Understands, anticipates and accounts for the interrelated impacts of policy decisions across various groups and projects and factors this into planning.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies: https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

Qualifications

University graduation in a related field such as Economics, Business, Law, Environmental Science, Engineering, Social Sciences, Arts, Public Administration, Public Policy etc plus a minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible related experience. Related experience may include policy development/review, research and analysis, stakeholder engagement, technical writing and briefing, issues analysis and solution development, and project management. 

Equivalency  will be considered as described below: 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

The following are considered assets to this position:
 

• Industry Experience: Experience working within the energy and/or electricity sector or related agencies.
   
• Policy/Legislative Development Experience: Experience with reviewing and interpreting related legislation, and policies such as Electric Utilities Act, Alberta Utilities Commission Act, Hydro and Electric Energy Act and the Transmission Regulation etc. to provide feasible recommendations to Management and executive leadership.
   
• Public Sector Experience: Experience working in the public sector or within public sector decision-making processes.

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 will be used to fill two (2) permanent full time positions under Generation, Transmission and Markets team and a 2-year temporary full time position under Distribution Policy.

Working Hours: Working hours for these roles are 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Location: North Petroleum Plaza Building Tower, Edmonton, AB 
 

Written assessment may be used as part of the screening/selection process.
 

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

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. As well, 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).
 

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
• 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