Writer/Editor

Role Responsibilities

Are you a skilled communicator who thrives in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment? Alberta Treasury Board and Finance is looking for a Writer/Editor to play a critical role in the Ministerial Correspondence Unit (MCU). Working closely with the Manager, you will ensure a seamless flow of accurate, timely, and responsive correspondence and briefings that directly support the ministry’s business plan and mandate.

In this role, you will be the editorial voice behind high-level communications for the Premier, Ministers, Government MLAs, and the Deputy Minister. You will collaborate with department experts to craft quality responses to action requests (ARs) and web submissions, keeping a sharp pulse on emerging trends to ensure every response is relevant and informed. Beyond writing and editing, you will serve as a subject matter expert by maintaining the Ministerial Style Guide and potentially leading writing workshops for department staff.

If you are a detail-oriented professional with a knack for navigating complex policies and prioritizing a dynamic workload, we invite you to help us maintain the highest standards of government correspondence.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Writing, reviewing, and editing ministerial and DM correspondence and briefings, consulting with professional and technical staff as needed.
• Co-ordinating the completion of contentious ARs in consultation with the Manager, program areas, and DM’s office.
• Promoting the use of the Ministerial Style Guide.
• Ensuring the ministry’s position, programs, and policies are accurately reflected in responses by keeping abreast of issues and initiatives.
• As requested by the Manager, approving correspondence and briefings prepared for the Premier, Minister, other Ministers and Government MLAs, and DM.
• Identifying current and emerging issues and trends arising from ARs. Monitoring and tracking issues and providing information and advice to the MCU Manager, Director of Communications, and ADM offices as required.

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 - Considers emerging trends when contributing ideas to the development of broader priorities, strategies and approaches.
Creative Problem Solving - Is aware of own assumptions and perspectives and is open to new and different approaches and ideas. Uses or adapts existing processes or products to address both new and old problems.
Agility - Works creatively within policies and procedures to proactively meet goals.
Drive for Results - Takes past experiences into consideration when making plans and adjusts plans based on past learning.
Develop Networks - Influences others by considering the meaning of what is being said, the environment and how the information is being presented.
Build Collaborative Environments - Demonstrates that he or she genuinely values and respects others' input and expertise and is willing to learn from others.

Qualifications

University graduation in English or a related field  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.

Requirements: 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including extensive knowledge of English grammar and usage, plain language, and commonly accepted style.
• Excellent editing skills, including knowledge of how language impacts messaging and tone, and the ability to communicate in writing to a wide variety of people.
• Strong organizational and time management skills. Ability to identify priorities within the scope of assigned work and to manage tasks effectively and efficiently.

Assets: 

• Ability to conceptualize, develop, and deliver course material on how to write ministerial correspondence, briefings, and related documents.
• Superior presentation and public speaking skills and ability to tailor presentations towards audience.
• In-depth knowledge of Minister and DM standards and preferences for correspondence, briefings, etc.
• Awareness of and sensitivity to political issues.
• Knowledge of the Alberta government structure, operation, and correspondence protocol. Knowledge of the department’s mandate, responsibilities, and policies.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills, including the ability to analyze correspondence, documents, and information in drafting and editing responses.
• Leadership skills to coach, mentor, and train colleagues.
• Ability to take initiative and to flag and manage issues as they arise.
• Proficient in Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and ARTS. 

A cover letter must accompany your application and should indicate how your previous work experience aligns to the qualifications and competencies required. Please provide clear examples of how you meet the criteria and skills required in your cover letter. Failure to provide a cover letter will lead to the application being screened out. A cover letter will be one of the ways to assess communication skills of candidates.  

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. For example, January 2006 – June 2009 (part-time). This example is provided for illustrative purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to present their information clearly and thoroughly, using a format that best conveys their experience.

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 position is a permanent full-time role with the standard weekly work hours of 36.25, Monday to Friday (in office).

Candidates will be required to participate in a written assessment. An interview may follow, contingent upon the outcome of the assessment.  

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

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.