Writer/Editor

Role Responsibilities

A Writer/Editor in the Ministerial Correspondence Unit (MCU) plays a critical role in supporting the Minister, Deputy Minister, and department by ensuring clear, accurate, and timely communication of the Government of Alberta’s health care strategies, policies, and programs to Albertans and key stakeholders. This position is responsible for researching, drafting, editing, and preparing ministerial correspondence and briefing materials that reflect consistent messaging and meet established standards for tone, style, and clarity.

Responsibilities include: 

• Prioritize and review responses and briefings prepared by subject-matter experts to ensure accuracy, clarity, timeliness
• Edit responses and briefings for appropriate tone, style, grammar, and adherence to format standards
• Develop resources to improve the ministry’s correspondence quality and consistency
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Contribute to and maintain the department’s database of standard responses
• Stay informed about legislation, policies, and health system issues that impact correspondence

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.

Build Collaborative Environments

• Collaborates effectively and efficiently with staff across the department and builds strong relationships with key contacts
  
  

Agility

• Shifts focus when required as priorities and deadlines change

Drive for Results 

• Takes responsibility to review, and edit for quality, accuracy, and comprehensiveness of correspondence and briefings

Develop Self and Others

• Identifies when existing correspondence processes and resources require revisions, and brings peers and leadership together to work collaboratively

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:

https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standards

Program Services 3 Requirements:

• University graduation in a related field such as Arts, Communication, Business or others (e.g. Sciences, and Public Administration) plus 2 years progressively responsible related experience; or equivalent as described below.

Equivalency: 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

Preferences:

• Knowledge of communications theory and how language impacts messaging and tone
• Strong writing, editing, speaking and interpersonal skills are necessary to provide accurate responses
• Proven negotiation and collaboration skills to work effectively in a cross- functional team environments
• High degree of emotional intelligence and sensitively to recognize and respond to audience needs
• Ability to research, analyze and compile relevant information thoroughly
• Understanding of legislation, policies, and emerging issues that impact Albertans

Assets:

• Knowledge of Government of Alberta information management policies.
• Knowledge of the Action Request Tracking System’s processes, guidelines, templates, and standards
• Ability to understand and interpret medical terminology, government legislation, policy, programs and services.

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

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.