Senior Policy Analyst

Role Responsibilities

Works with other staff on the team, as well as staff in OHS Delivery, to ensure that OHS policy, standards, procedures and legislation are current and technically correct, and consistent with Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration (JETI) business plans and government/departmental mandates and policies. The position plays an essential role in policy development and supports strategic initiatives undertaken by the team, such as legislative and regulatory review activities. This work includes preparing background and cross jurisdictional research, consultation planning, analyzing stakeholder feedback regarding policy changes, and working with the team to identify policy options and recommendations.

Key responsibilities:
   

• Research, develop and maintain/monitor legislation, policies and procedures to align with government/department mandates and policies and the JETI business plan.
• Establish and foster collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide high quality policy and technical advice, internally and externally, based on legislation and policy.
• Lead projects associated with the periodic review of OHS legislation.
• Represent the department's and Alberta's interests and priorities in all initiatives.
• Lead project work and supervise project staff and/or consultants to ensure timely project completion, as required for OHS initiatives.

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.
  

• Drive for results - Achieve measurable results in managing larger projects to completion and when developing various briefings, correspondence, and other identified products, within prescribed (and often tight) timelines.
  
  
• Systems thinking - Consider a wide variety of factors in their work, including how wider societal factors such as the economy, technological change, and workplace environments which may cause OHS issues to arise, as well as how OHS issues align with other workplace legislation, and how the programs and policies of other departments can impact OHS legislation.  The position must also understand the broader government priorities and the pre-existing relationships between stakeholders to ensure that context is incorporated into advice provided to decision makers.
  
  
• Build Collaborative Environments - Contribute to the building of a high functioning and collaborative team through forming connections with individual staff members as well as supporting strong team connections, both within the team, branch, and among internal and external stakeholders, as necessary.
  
  
• Agility - Demonstrate resiliency in an often-dynamic environment, where priorities and direction may shift without advance notice. The position is expected to anticipate and be responsive to change by taking appropriate actions, such as adjusting behaviors, and identifying alternate approaches and solutions.
  
  
• Develop Networks – Provide direct support to the OHS Policy leadership and team as well as with other branch staff on cross-branch initiatives. The Policy Analyst undertakes work and supports the team by developing knowledge in OHS policy and legislation as well as builds knowledge in other areas of the branch including labour relations and employment standards.  Relationships with the branch staff as well as Safe, Fair and Healthy Workplace Division will be essential for the Policy Analyst to be successful in their role.
  
  
• Creative Problem Solving - Develop processes to work through policy projects by asking questions, collecting data, understanding the audience and combining different approaches and perspectives to their work. Will involve engagement with the branch leaderships and program staff to collect timely and accurate input. The Policy Analyst will also be a champion for continuous improvement in all of the branch processes and procedures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Labour Studies or Social Sciences, plus 4 years progressively responsible related experience in policy analysis and development or similar; or equivalent as described below.
• Knowledge of government decision-making and policy development processes and procedures, including processes for amending and enacting legislation, public engagement processes, and stakeholder management.
• Strong knowledge of research methodologies, and policy analysis processes necessary for the development of policy recommendations, action plans, implementation strategies, etc.
• Ability to effectively communicate, including the ability to summarize large amounts of complex information (e.g., research, data, analysis), succinctly and in plain language, both in writing and verbally.
• Demonstrate good judgement, political acumen, and a strong understanding of the environment by knowing when issues need to be brought to the attention of leadership in addition to making sound recommendations and establishing and/or understanding the direction of strategic projects and initiatives.  
• Ability to work independently with minimal direction and can leverage colleagues to drive for results under pressure and tight timelines.
• Excellent time management skills, including the ability to set goals, organize and prioritize work effectively, and communicate to leadership when resources are constrained or lacking.
  
  

Assets:

• Knowledge of OHS issues and relevant legislation, policies, programs, business and strategic planning processes.
• Knowledge and familiarity with the Alberta economy; and key industries and trends in OHS and government priorities.
• Capacity to conduct strategic analysis of OHS issues, trends and events, including the ability to develop innovative and realistic solutions to complex problems and provide recommendations to senior leadership.
• Ability to make sense of large amounts of complex information to identify the key factors impacting an issue, often under tight deadlines and determine the path forward on a project.
  
  

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 permanent full-time position working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

This position is located in Edmonton or Calgary.

The final candidate for this position will undergo academic checks, reference checks and provide a suitable security screening. A written assessment/exercise will be used to form part of the interview process. 

Please ensure your resume highlights how your previous work experience is related to the qualifications and requirements for this position. Please clearly state the employment dates on your resume with the month and the year.  

A cover letter is required. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. 

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.