Senior Policy Analyst

Role Responsibilities

Do you enjoy working in a fast paced, collaborative team environment? Do you pride yourself on your exceptional research, analytical and communication skills? Does leading policy review and implementing projects within the Affordability & Utilities space interest you? If so, this may be a great opportunity for you to join the GTM Branch of the Ministry of Affordability & Utilities as Senior Policy Analyst for Electricity Sustainability and Innovation (ESI). 

The Senior Policy Analyst will work within a team environment and will focus on the following duties and responsibilities:
 

• Policy Development and Legislative support: Participate in the development of public policy and regulations that will directly enhance the functioning of Alberta's electricity and natural gas framework specifically low emission electricity, energy storage, and responsible renewable electricity development. Research assignments include opportunities to decarbonize electricity while maintaining system reliability, including carbon capture and sequestration, smart meters, and hydrogen.  Manage and provide sound advice on the Renewable Electricity Program.
• Strategic Research and Advisory: Perform research and analysis related to policy options and regulations that may have an impact on Alberta's objectives related to renewable electricity and low emission electricity development to facilitate provision of expert, strategic, and sound advice to senior management and staff to assist in the development of policies and legislation in achieving the Government of Alberta's objectives. Successful candidate must stay abreast of current events in electricity development and emerging technology and prepare briefings for senior management and executive.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build strategic partnerships and working relationships across the department and with other government departments. Represent the Branch/Division at events and on multi-stakeholder working groups such as other GoA departments, municipal and federal government departments, consumer groups, and independent agencies such as the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO), 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: In collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, the Senior Policy Analyst, ESI will support policy development and implementation projects/programs. This includes tasks such as developing terms of reference, project planning, budgeting, project monitoring and reporting to ensure the effective delivery of the Government of Alberta's strategic objectives related to renewable electricity development. Work collaboratively with Environment & Protected Areas (EPA) and Energy & Minerals (EM) on projects related to reducing carbon as well as managing hydroelectricity.
• Issue Analysis and Advisory: Facilitate issue identification and resolution on low emission electricity development thereby promoting innovation and better practices. Render accurate advice to Branch Leadership on existing and emerging issues.
• 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.

Please click on the link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencis

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.

Competencies for this position include:
 

• 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: Leverages skills 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.

Qualifications

Required:
University graduation in a related field (Arts, Science, Commerce, Engineering, Law, Public Administration, Public Policy etc.) and 4 years of progressively responsible related experience is required. Related experience can include research and analysis, stakeholder engagement, technical writing and briefing, policy and/or program development, and project management. Equivalencies will be considered as described below:

Equivalency:
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.

Assets:
The following are considered assets for the position:

• Industry Experience: Experience working within, Utility Agencies or Energy and/or Electricity sector in increasingly responsible related roles.
• Legislative/Policy Interpretation: Experience with interpreting legislation, regulatory framework, and policies (e.g. Electric Utilities Act, Gas Utilities Act, Alberta Utilities Commission Act) 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.
• Technical knowledge: In-depth knowledge and experience in procurement of renewable electricity and the associated renewable attributes.

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 (full time).
   

Term of Employment:

• This is a permanent, full-time position.
   

Location:

• North Petroleum Plaza, 9945 108 Street NW Edmonton, Alberta, T5K 2G6.

A Written Assessment may form part of the screening/selection process.

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.