Writer

Role Responsibilities

The Executive Director (ED) of the Employment Services branch is looking for an independent, self-motivated team player to join a large, versatile team.

Reporting to the ED the Writer/Editor is part of a team dedicated to ensuring branch procurement issues, processes, and documents are addressed in a quality, consistent and coordinated fashion. The position requires a broad understanding of Career and Employment Information Services (CEIS) including contract and procurement processes as well as issues related to social based delivery.

In this role you will:

•    Responsible for creating strong PowerPoint slide decks for Minister & Deputy Minister, public engagements and a variety of audiences,   this includes use of Visio, Flowcharts, Gantt Charts and other visuals.
•    Provide high-quality information, advice, and written correspondence to support and facilitate the management of procurement information and issues within ESB in a timely manner.
•    Editing and refining a variety of government communications, including Action Requests, briefing notes, procurement documents, letters, and memos, to align with official style guides and messaging standards.
•    Maintaining response templates, intranet content, and document management systems to streamline workflows and improve efficiency.
•    Ensuring all documents meet the highest standards for grammar, punctuation, and style, following the Canadian Press Stylebook. 
•    Providing communications advice and guidance to ministry staff, including best practices and ministerial preferences.
•    Engage in careful research, verify facts and analyze information as required.
•    Assign, coordinate, and consolidate ESB's responses to requests for information and briefings, and liaise with other teams, units, and branches to obtain input, ensuring comprehensiveness of responses.

Our ideal candidate will have:

•    A high degree of emotional intelligence and sensitivity to recognize and interpret the needs of audience, as well as build and maintain effective, positive working relationships with staff.
•    Knowledge of government systems, processes, guidelines, templates and standards.
•    Strong analytical and critical thinking skills. Able to use sound judgement when researching, compiling relevant information, drafting, and/or editing correspondence.
•    Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Knowledge of plain language writing and strong attention to detail in editing and proofreading.
•    Excellent time management skills. The ability to set priorities and juggle competing demands with issues of varying scale and urgency is important to your success.
•    Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.
•    Advanced organizational, computer and Internet skills, and political acumen will support you in your role.

The work of the Writer/Editor is varied and requires versatility to pivot quickly to assist with a variety of projects and initiatives to meet tight timelines.

Please click on this link JR69296-PS2-Writer-JD 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.

This work reflects all APS Competencies with a focus on the following:

• Systems Thinking
• Creative Problem Solving
• Agility
• Drive for Results
• Build Collaborative Environments
• Develop Networks
• Develop Self and Others

Qualifications

University degree in Communications, English, Arts, Journalism, Business or related field; no experience required.

Preference will be given to candidates with experience working with ARTS and drafting ministerial correspondence materials.

Equivalencies maybe considered - directly related education or experience on the basis of:
•    1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or
•    1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

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

Assets:

•    Progressively responsible writing and editing experience.
•    Knowledge of standards in writing (Canadian Press).
•    Experience in a government setting and with ARTS.

Notes

There is one permanent full-time position available located in Edmonton. Hours of work are 36.25 hours per day, 8:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday.

Applicants are advised to provide a cover letter summarizing information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience, and relevant examples of required competencies.

A written test will be administered as part of the selection process.

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening . Due to wait times to receive a completed Criminal Records  Check (CRC), applicants who are invited for an interview are encouraged to request a completed CRC (level 1) from their local RCMP/Police detachment prior to their interview. The CRC will only need to be provided upon request.

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 Government of Alberta has to offer to prospective employees are as follows:

•    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