Strategic Systems Advisor

Role Responsibilities

Are you driven to solve complex, high impact challenges at the intersection of forest stewardship, systems innovation and public policy? Forestry Division situated in the Department of Forestry and Parks is seeking a Strategic Systems Advisor to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of forest and wildfire management. This is an opportunity to guide transformative program initiatives, work at the forefront of systems thinking and influence province-wide policy and intergovernmental relations.

Reporting to the Senior Policy Lead within the Strategic Forest Initiatives & Policy Section, the Strategic Systems Advisor provides expert leadership on highly complex strategic issues affecting Alberta’s forest and wildfire management. Acting as an advisor and change agent, the position contributes directly to the Forestry Division’s strategic priorities and the Government of Alberta’s broader policy and intergovernmental agenda.

Your key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Leading and conducting a systems analysis for major forestry and wildfire projects, programs, and initiatives.
• Designing and facilitating complex, multi stakeholder processes involving government, industry, Indigenous communities, and interest groups.
• Conducting horizon scanning, foresight, and jurisdictional analysis to identify emerging issues and strategic opportunities.
• Developing policy and program scenario models to assess impacts on forest, wildfire, and forest industry management.
• Providing strategic advice, recommendations, and briefings to senior leadership and government decision makers.
• Supporting cross government and intergovernmental initiatives aligned with divisional and departmental priorities.
• Applying change management principles to streamline divisional processes and improve operational effectiveness.
• Supporting business transformation initiatives to ensure alignment with core Forestry Division and departmental objectives.
• Managing and integrating research and analysis to inform policy, program, and strategic decisions.
• Supporting ongoing mandates, operations, and continuous improvement across the Forestry Division.

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.

Systems Thinking:
Integrates broader context into planning:

• Plans for how current situation is affected by broader trends.
• Integrates issues, political environment and risks when considering possible actions.
• Supports organization vision and goals through strategy.
• Addresses behaviours that challenge progress.

Creative Problem Solving:
Works in open teams to share ideas and process issues:

• Uses wide range of techniques to break down problems.
• Allows others to think creatively and voice ideas.
• Brings the right people together to solve issues.
• Identifies new solutions for the organization.

Build Collaborative Environments:
Collaborates across functional areas and proactively addresses conflict:

• Encourages broad thinking on projects, and works to eliminate barriers to progress.
• Facilitates communication and collaboration.
• Anticipates and reduces conflict at the outset.
• Credits others and gets talent recognized.
• Promotes collaboration and commitment.

Develop Networks:
Leverages relationships to build input and perspective:

• Looks broadly to engage stakeholders.
• Open to perspectives towards long-term goals.
• Actively seeks input into change initiatives.
• Maintains stakeholder relationships.

Agility:
Identifies and manages required change and the associated risks:

• Identifies alternative approaches and supports others to do the same.
• Proactively explains impact of changes.
• Anticipates and mitigates emotions of others.
• Anticipates obstacles and stays focused on goals.
• Makes decisions and takes action in uncertain situations and creates a backup plan.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:
A university degree in Policy, Public Administration, Natural Resources, Organizational Psychology, Strategic Foresight, Futures, Strategy, Communications, or a closely related field and 4 years progressively responsible related experience or equivalent as described below.

Equivalencies:
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.

Assets:

• Project Management or team leadership experience.
• Experience working across departments, jurisdictions, or with Indigenous communities, industry, or environmental organizations.
• Experience in organizational design, solving complex problems, and change 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

This is a permanent, full-time role with the standard weekly work hours of 36.25, Monday to Friday.

Travel within the area and throughout the province will be required as part of your responsibilities to coordinate with Ministry staff and colleagues, other government departments, clients, and other external stakeholders.

Candidates may be asked to complete a written assignment as a part of the interview 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.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.