Inspection and Investigation Specialist

Role Responsibilities

As an Inspection and Investigation Specialist, you will be required to conduct inspections and coordinate agriculture related Provincial statute investigations to the point of presentation to Crown Prosecutors for the implementation of judicial proceedings or to other agencies for the purpose of implementing administrative hearings. This position requires the ability to work independently and in a team setting as you participate in complex investigations with the goal of curtailing contraventions of the legislation. Focusing on illegal slaughter and sale of uninspected meat within the province will be key for this position. This a very pro-active position with constantly changing responsibilities that deal with conflict on a daily basis and therefore excellent interpersonal and communication skills are required.

The Alberta Agriculture Compliance Principles are used as a guide during inspections and investigations and other related enforcement activities in an attempt to achieve compliance that can include initiating corrective action up to formal prosecution, therefore knowledge of these Principles would be an asset.

The main responsibilities include the Animal Health Act and Regulations, Livestock Industry Diversification Act and Regulation, the Agricultural Pests Act and Regulation, Animal Keepers Act, Dairy Industry Act and Regulation, Line Fence Act, Livestock and Livestock Products Act and Regulations, Feeder Associations Guarantee Act and Regulation, and the Meat Inspection Act and Regulation.

You will require knowledge with these various acts and regulations administered by IIS, including an in-depth knowledge of how they support the Provincial and Federal Food Regulations.  

To be successful in this position, you will also require an understanding and knowledge in all areas of regulatory inspection and investigation including interviewing suspects and witnesses, report writing, major case management, time management, organizational skills and interpreting and applying legislation and policy.

You will require a thorough understanding of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and how they interact with the legislation that IIS oversees.

The successful candidate must be able to immediately qualify for and hold a Peace Officer appointment issued by the Alberta Solicitor General’s Office.

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.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following APS Competencies:

• Systems Thinking: The specialist must understand the broader agricultural ecosystem, seeing how individual farms, regulations, and food safety practices interconnect and impact the overall agricultural sustainability of Alberta.
• Agility: With a role that requires working in diverse environments, from controlled settings to unstructured situations, the specialist must be adaptable and quickly respond to emerging challenges.
• Creative Problem Solving: The role often encounters unique compliance challenges that don't have a one-size-fits-all solution. The specialist must think outside the box to address these issues.
• Develop Networks: The specialist collaborates with numerous internal and external stakeholders, from governmental departments to various industry representatives. Building and maintaining these relationships is crucial.

Qualifications

Required:

• University graduation in a related field such as Law. 
• 2 years of related experience in law enforcement program, formal investigations, regulatory compliance, and  inspection program. 
• Functional expertise in both inspections and investigations.
• A valid Class 5 Driver’s License and a clear Driver’s Abstract.

The successful candidate will be required to immediately qualify for and hold a Peace Officer appointment issued by the Alberta Solicitor General’s Office. For eligibility requirements, please visit: https://www.alberta.ca/peace-officers-overview.aspx.

Equivalencies:  
Equivalencies are 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:

• Familiarity with the Compliance Principles of Alberta Agriculture, agricultural Acts, and Regulations.
• Proficiency in inspection, investigation, and audit techniques, including surveillance or undercover operations.
• Expertise in communicating legislative requirements, developing and delivering presentations, and producing clear reports.
• Stakeholder management expertise, to collaborate with diverse internal and external stakeholders, including various agencies.
• Exceptional conflict resolution skills with the ability to independently analyze and react to diverse situations
• Expertise and acumen in enforcement actions, such as issuing penalties and license suspension.
• Experience in coordinating inspections, investigations, and recommending courses of action based on research.
• Ability to work independently in dynamic environments, especially in remote areas, and adhere to core government values.

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

Term of Employment: Permanent, Full-time position. 

Hours of Work:  36.25 hrs./week - Monday to Friday 

Location: Red Deer 

Some shift work, including evenings and weekends, will be necessary. 
Availability for on-call duties will also be required.

Travel within Alberta may be required.

The successful candidate will be required to immediately qualify for and hold a Peace Officer appointment issued by the Alberta Solicitor General’s Office. For eligibility requirements, please visit: https://www.alberta.ca/peace-officers-overview.aspx 

Final candidate may be required to undergo security screening.

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level. 

Cover Letter: 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. 

Resume: For Employment Experience, please indicate duration of employment (month, year). Please specify employment status (i.e., Casual, part-time, or full-time)
Ex: Youth Worker, Jan 2006 - June 2009, Part-time (three 8 hr. shifts/week)
For any Post-Secondary Education:
Please specify your major and length of program and the year you graduated.
Ex: Bachelor of Social Work, 4-year Degree (Graduated 2017)

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 has 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.