Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Manager, Document Production and Design, the Desktop Publisher-Artist is key to ensuring that the formats of provincial assessments, including Diploma Exams, Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs), Early Years Numeracy and Literacy assessments, the Canadian Adult Educational Credential, field tests, and other documents are consistent and follow Provincial Assessment Sector standards, which recognize that different grade levels have different needs. Currently the majority of provincial assessments are administered using a paper format, but increasingly they are being offered to students in a digital format. The Desktop Publisher-Artist will be a key resource to ensure that provincial assessments are accurately presented to students in both paper and digital formats and will work with new technologies to manage the development of assessments.
 

The Desktop Publisher-Artist also builds and revises other documents, such as information bulletins, student guides, data booklets, etc. The employee in addition maintains a record with statistics from field-tested questions along with student comments and responses from field tests. The Desktop Publisher-Artist must meet very tight deadlines and maintain both the security and the quality of electronic and paper versions of secure provincial assessments. The Desktop Publisher-Artist must work well both independently and as a team member, interacting on a regular basis with editors, other desktop publishers, test/exam managers, examiners, and other staff. Duties also include helping to troubleshoot and using the more advanced features of programs such as Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Exam Builder, and the Provincial Assessment Authoring tool, coding manually in HTML when necessary. The emphasis is on client focus, creativity, communication, strategic thinking, teamwork, innovation, and initiative.
 

Responsibilities:
1. Preparing assessment documents for administration, and support documents to support the administration and writing of assessments by:

• Consulting with the task's originator to capture all pertinent information required to create or update documents.
• Utilizing graphics software (Adobe InDesign) to integrate and arrange supplied text, graphic elements, and artwork into page layouts per established standards for each document type, assessment type, grade, and subject.
• Utilizing the online assessment tool to assemble assessment content for online administration and add interactive features, response options, and audio files per established standards for each assessment type, grade, and subject/course.
• Optimizing documents for commercial or in-house printers, online administration, and/or posting on alberta.ca/education or new.learnalberta.ca.
• Meticulously reviewing all documents for errors and omissions throughout the content development process, and troubleshooting technical problems that arise during production to ensure accuracy and quality.
• Providing intermediary version(s) of documents for internal review and revising content as necessary.
• Ensuring copyright-protected content is properly presented and credited per the usage agreement with the rights holder.
• Applying the Government of Alberta visual identity system to design work to ensure government communications are consistent and can be immediately recognized by the public.
• Developing design standards for new assessment and item types while maintaining standards according to the Assessment Style Guide.

Role Responsibilities Continued

2. Preparing artwork to visualize facts, concepts, processes, procedures, and principles in assessments, support documents, and other materials by:
 

• Consulting with the task's originator to capture all pertinent information required to create or update art.
• Determining the appropriate format, composition, colours, and typographic treatment to achieve the specific communication objective(s) of the artwork.
• Utilizing graphics software to build and/or revise artwork, specifically Adobe Illustrator.
• Conducting research to ensure that graphic representations are accurately depicted.
• Optimizing artwork for presentation in print and online.
• Meticulously reviewing all artwork for errors and omissions throughout the content development process, and troubleshooting technical problems that arise during production to ensure accuracy and quality.
• Providing intermediary version(s) of artwork for internal review and revising content as necessary.
• Ensuring copyright-protected imagery is properly presented and credited per the usage agreement with the rights holder.
• Searching online image collections to select and purchase royalty-free stock imagery.
   

3. Supporting Provincial Assessment, Exam Administration, and Document Production and Design operations by:
 

• Working with the Manager, Document Production and Design, to establish work priorities and schedules, and track progress to ensure completion of deliverables.
• Organizing, storing, and maintaining reliable electronic files for tracking, access, and retrieval.
• Ensuring all secure documents are handled following assessment directives and data and information security guidelines.
• Staying aware of and up to date on new releases of software.
• Developing instruction materials and/or delivering in person or online training to staff on content standards, production techniques, and advanced software features.
• Participating in review and revision of Document Production Unit processes and procedures.
   

4. Developing, enhancing, and maintaining the online assessment capabilities by:
 

• Defining and updating scenarios and rules for automation and digital asset management in the online assessment tool.
• Working with colleagues to establish and maintain content and technical standards, procedures, and processes for creating optimized digital files and authoring online assessments that meet the delivery requirements for each assessment type, grade, and subject/course.
• Troubleshooting problems experienced by colleagues during online authoring or administration.
• Analyzing online content to identify where optimization can be improved.
• Ensuring online assessments are in the production environment by the scheduled administration date.
   

5. Duties as assigned. Ability to work in French and English is an asset.
 

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.
 

Drive for Results - Flag, provide solutions, and address issues in accordance with the priorities of the Ministry and division.
 

Agility - Coordinate individual tasks within the overall workflow and processes. Collaborate with functional and project team members with the end-result in mind. Understand overall system (both at the department and division levels) and seek to understand the parameters of the role within that system.
 

Creative Problem Solving - Is open to new ideas and breaks problems down to identify solutions, by breaking down problems into small parts.
 

Build Collaborative Environments - Collaborate within functional and project teams, as well as with internal stakeholders within the branch and division and across the department. Demonstrate effective communication strategies that promote win-win solutions.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Some high school education supplemented with courses related to the position assignment; or equivalent as described below. Equivalency: Directly related experience considered in lieu of courses on a one-for-one basis.

Assets:

• Experience with graphic arts, illustration, HTML, computer science, coding, multimedia.
• Experience with Adobe InDesign is essential (recent versions of Adobe InDesign Creative Cloud preferred).
   

Knowledge and/or experience of the following are considered assets for this position:
 

• Excellent English verbal and writing skills.
• Excellent memory and attention to detail.
• Excellent computer skills, good knowledge of appropriate software and ability to organize data logically.
• Creative problem solving.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing, with a wide range of individuals.
• Ability to work collaboratively.
• Ability to effectively handle time pressures and manage multiple and conflicting priorities.
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to think critically about issues communicated in ministerial correspondence, internal memorandum, and briefing notes.
   

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 competition is for a position based in Edmonton.
• This is a temporary assignment for 6 months with a possibility of an extension.
• Hours of work: 36.25 hours per week (full time) Monday to Friday from 8:15AM to 4:30PM.
   

Candidates must submit a cover letter and resume that succinctly demonstrate their qualifications against the job requirements, including education, experience, and relevant competencies. It's important for applicants to ensure their resume and cover letter clearly articulate how their past work experiences align with the role's qualifications and needs.
 

Resumes must include precise employment dates (month and year) details.
 

The final candidates for this position will be asked to undergo an academic check, references, provide a suitable security screening and may be asked to complete a written exercise and/or assessment.
 

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.
 

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

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.
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.