Senior Policy Analyst

Role Responsibilities

Are you ready to apply your policy expertise to advance initiatives that strengthen Alberta’s rural utility services? The Ministry of Affordability and Utilities is seeking a Senior Policy Analyst to join a collaborative team that develops, coordinates, and supports policy for Alberta’s rural natural gas distribution systems. The position also contributes to policy for rural electrification and water utility associations, while advancing ministry priorities related to rural development, public safety, and cross-ministry initiatives.

The Senior Policy Analyst will focus on the following duties and responsibilities:

• Lead and support policy research, analysis, and development related to rural natural gas distribution systems and rural utility associations.
• Coordinate and contribute to integrated, cross-ministry policy initiatives and represent the Rural Utilities Section on working groups and task teams.
• Prepare briefing notes, policy reports, presentations, and Ministerial advice to support senior leadership decision-making.
• Provide regulatory oversight and guidance to rural utility associations, including reviewing governance documents, bylaws, financial information, and legislative compliance.
• Support the administration of rural utility grant and loan programs, including the Rural Gas Program grant and Rural Gas Government Guarantee Program to ensure timely collection of loans to protect the Crown’s interests. 
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal partners and external stakeholders, including Alberta Energy and Alberta Indigenous Relations. 

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.

• Creative Problem Solving: Ability to take initiative to identify policy options, opportunities, challenges, and recommendations to complex rural utility problems.
• Systems Thinking: Ability to integrate broader context into planning by seeking opportunities to streamline and remove red tape impacting rural utility co-ops and the efficiency of the Rural Utilities Section.
• Agility: Ability to recognize multiple sources of input and conflicting opinion, while upholding critical paths and processes to ensure timely completion of documents.
• Build Collaborative Environments: Ability to collaborate across functional areas, proactively address conflict and encourage cross-ministry team members in accomplishing tasks related to rural utility programs under tight timelines.
• Develop Networks: Ability to build and maintain relationships with the Federation of Alberta Gas Co-ops Ltd. and its 80 member organizations, as well as cross-ministry partnerships.

Qualifications

University degree in Public Policy, Public Administration or regulatory-related field with a minimum of four (4) years related experience; or equivalent as described below.

Equivalency: Directly related education or experience may be considered on the basis of 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

Required Experience:

• Policy research and development.
• Report writing and analysis.
• Utility knowledge or experience.
• Knowledge of governance, Alberta land ownership systems, and related regulations and legislation.
• Understanding of financial accounting and legal principles.

Assets:

• Knowledge of OH&S Safety Plans and legislation.
• Experience working with gas, electric or water co-operatives.
• Experience with grant or program administration.

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 is a temporary, full-time position.

Hours of Work – 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 8:15am – 4:30pm.

Location: J. G. O' Donoghue Building, 7000 - 113 Street, Edmonton, AB T6H 5T6.

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.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.