Crop Assurance Specialist

Role Responsibilities

Ready to jump into a role that actually makes an impact?

As a Crop Assurance Specialist, you’ll be right in the middle of Alberta’s agriculture scene helping keep the crops sector healthy, supporting farmers, and shaping the future of how we grow food in the province.

This isn’t a “sit in a corner and observe” kind of job. You’ll get to:

• Dig into real policy work that affects producers across Alberta.
• Chat with farmers, municipalities, and industry partners to understand what’s happening on the ground.
• Work with important agriculture legislation (Agricultural Pests Act, Weed Control Act, and Agricultural Service Board Act).
• Share your ideas and lead your own projects with plenty of independence.

If you know your way around Western Canadian cropping systems, and you enjoy working with all kinds of people, this is a great chance to grow your skills fast, build your network, and do meaningful work that keeps Alberta’s agriculture strong.

It’s hands-on, it’s varied, and it’s perfect for someone who’s ready to make things happen.

Your knowledge of Western Canadian cropping systems, along with your ability to collaborate and communicate with diverse stakeholders, will be critical to success in this role.

Key Responsibilities

1. Provide Leadership in Crop Health and Assurance Programs:
   • Develop strategies, tools, and resources to address pest and weed issues.
   • Deliver presentations, reports, and fact sheets to inform stakeholders and advance best practices.
   • Ensure compatibility of Alberta’s programs with provincial, national, and international regulations.
     
     
2. Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration:
   • Build strategic alliances with regulatory partners, including municipal, provincial, and federal agencies.
   • Act as a regional liaison in the Agricultural Service Board (ASB) Regional Liaison Program.
   • Facilitate multi-stakeholder consultations and resolve conflicts to meet program goals.
     
     
3. Education and Awareness:
   • Provide training and advisory services on crop health initiatives.
   • Promote awareness of agricultural legislation and policies among key stakeholders.
   • Provide industry knowledge on plant insect, disease, and weed issues to the Department.

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- Takes a long-term view towards organization’s objectives and how to achieve them:

• Takes holistic long-term view of challenges and opportunities.
• Anticipates outcomes and potential impacts, seeks stakeholder perspectives.
• Works towards actions and plans aligned with APS values.
• Works with others to identify areas for collaboration.

Drive for Results - Takes and delegates responsibility for outcomes:

• Uses variety of resources to monitor own performance standards.
• Acknowledges even indirect responsibility.
• Commits to what is good for Albertans even if not immediately accepted.
• Reaches goals consistent with APS direction.

Creative Problem Solving - Works in open teams to share ideas and process issues:

• Uses wide range of techniques to break down problems.
• Allows others to think creatively and voice ideas.
• Brings the right people together to solve issues.
• Identifies new solutions for the organization.

Build Collaborative Environments - Involves a wide group of stakeholders when working on outcomes:

• Involves stakeholders and shares resources.
• Positively resolves conflict through coaching and facilitated discussion.
• Uses enthusiasm to motivate and guide others.
• Acknowledges and works with diverse perspectives for achieving outcomes.

Develop Self and Others - Encourages development and integration of emerging methods:

• Shapes group learning for team development.
• Employs emerging methods towards goals.
• Creates a shared learning environment.
• Works with individuals to develop personal development plans.

Develop Networks - Makes working with a wide range of parties an imperative:

• Creates impactful relationships with the right people.
• Ensures needs of varying groups are represented.
• Goes beyond to meet stakeholder needs.
• Ensures all needs are heard and understood.

Qualifications

University graduation in Agriculture or Biology or any other related field, plus three (3) years’ experience in government program policy planning and delivery or related.

Equivalency: Related Masters degree considered in lieu of part of the three years of related experience on a one-for-one basis.

Additional Requirements:

• Eligible to become either a Professional Agrologist with the Alberta Institute of Agrologists (AIA) or a Professional Biologist with the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists.
• Extensive experience with the Canadian Western Cropping Systems.
• Possess a valid driver’s license.

Assets:

• Working knowledge and familiarity with the agriculture industry, farming/ranching, and invasive species, as well as collaborating with multiple stakeholders.
• Working knowledge and experience with relevant Government of Alberta (GOA) legislation, particularly the ASB Act, the Weed Control Act, the Agricultural Pest Act, and the Soil Conservation Act.
• Strong experience and knowledge in policy development.
• Extensive track record and comfort in traveling across rural Alberta under various weather conditions and engaging with rural Albertans in remote locations.
• Extensive experience in creating compelling presentations and delivering speeches to large audiences.
• Comprehension of Ministry Business/Strategic Plans and possessing political acumen.
• Excellent data analysis, writing and computer skills.

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

Position Information:

• Location: Stony Plain Provincial Building (4709-44 Ave, Stony Plain, AB T7Z 1N4).
• Edmonton area preferred, but other locations may be considered.  Please list your preferred location in the Pre-screening question.
• Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week (permanent full time).
• Monday to Friday (08:15 am-16:30 pm). 
• Evening and weekend work is sometimes required.       

Other Application Information:

• A cover letter is required with your application, outlining how your education and experience aligns with the role.
• Final candidates may be required to undergo a written test demonstrating writing skills and abilities pre or post interviews.
• This position may require final candidates to undergo a security clearance.
• 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.