Senior Workforce Investigator

Role Responsibilities

The Public Service Commission’s Investigations unit is looking for people who have curiosity as their starting gate, enjoy a puzzle, understand “the grey zone”, have patience in seeking information and clarity, a firm grip in neutrality and a natural enjoyment of writing.  If this sounds like you – read on! 

This unit oversees, manages and conducts employer investigations including complaints connected to the Respectful Workplace Policy (RWP), misconduct, Code of Conduct, security breaches, and other potentially problematic issues. 

Reporting to the Manager, Workforce Investigations, you will plan and conduct investigations, which may be serious and complex in nature, which includes determining the validity of a complaint through interviews with multiple related parties, reviewing and assessing collected information, and preparing and presenting reports with findings and observations. You will be a key contact for external agencies, including law enforcement, and will work closely with a range of internal stakeholders to facilitate and produce timely investigations. Your work will align with internal processes, department policies, procedures and timelines, ultimately to ensure evidence gathered will withstand scrutiny during a quasi-judicial or arbitration process. 

The organization places a high degree of trust and reliability in our Investigators' findings as they can impact employee relations matters in critical arenas such as disciplinary action, grievances, arbitration and legal proceedings. To reach sound findings, you will exercise a high degree of critical thinking and analysis while ensuring the methodology is fair, transparent, objective and timely; and complies with existing legislation, policy, and investigative best practices. You will also demonstrate your attention to detail with your accurate records and understanding and must follow best practices related to secure storage and management of evidence.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviours 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: Incumbent requires systems thinking to design and develop processes and systems which address the short-term and long-term needs of the GoA as an employer and create innovative and sustainable solutions that also support the broader talent management framework. At the same time, the position must balance a variety of needs (department specific versus enterprise-wide), assessing implications such as ensuring costs are reasonable and sustainable in the long-term, and consulting and partnering with the Union to achieve success in joint employer-union committees.

Creative Problem Solving: It is critical that the incumbent provide innovative solutions and advice as well as lead and support projects related to the development and maintenance of policy within the APS while keeping informed of best practices and challenging existing processes and procedures for improvement and enhancement.

Drive for Results: Incumbent must take accountability for outcomes and determine the most effective way to achieve desired results.

Agility: Incumbent must take a proactive leadership role to anticipate, assess and readily adapt to changing priorities as well as be able to operate in a dynamic environment. The incumbent must also be able to research and develop recommendations on policies, strategies and frameworks taking advantage of opportunities to readily adapt to changes required for organization success.

Build Collaborative Environments: Incumbent must be a strong communicator and set up processes or structures to facilitate meaningful communication. The incumbent will also lead and/or support training initiatives and encourage exchange of information and ideas.

Develop Networks: Proactively connect and build trust with peers and executives in PSC, ministry clients, jurisdictional contacts and other experts in their field.

Develop Self and Others: As the technical expert in their field it is critical that the incumbent create an environment of learning and sharing expertise. Demonstrating the desire to invest in the development of the long-term capability of self and others is important to ensure program excellence.

Qualifications

Required:

A related university degree in Business, Human Resources, etc., with a minimum of five years of related experience in employee relations or investigations.

Equivalencies will be considered: a related two-year diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution and seven years of related experience; or a related one-year certificate from a recognized post-secondary institution and eight years of related experience.

Preference will be given to candidates with experience investigating complaints and/or contraventions of legislated requirements.

 Experience in a unionized environment would be beneficial.

Assets:

Strong investigative background through several years’ experience.

Research and analytical skills - ability to determine the applicable policies, decisions, and legislation.

Thorough knowledge of relevant legislation (e.g., Alberta Human Rights Act, Public Service Employee Relations Act (PSERA), Code of Conduct & Ethics Regulation.

Thorough knowledge of relevant policies and directives (e.g., Code of Conduct and Ethics, Respectful Workplace Directive, Occupational Health and Safety Code).

Notes

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

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 
•    Leadership and mentorship programs
•    Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-human-resource-directives
•    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 agreements.
•    Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca