Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Manager, Safe Learning Environments, the Senior Policy Analyst is a public policy expert that provides comprehensive and diverse policy analysis services regarding the development and implementation of cross-ministry initiatives and programs that address the social, emotional and mental health needs of children and youth to support their success and inclusion in school and wellbeing. Cross-ministry initiatives could be focused on a broad range of social issues including: prevention of bullying, youth suicide, trauma-informed practices, mental health and addictions, diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions). The position will also be responsible for coordinating evaluation and management of Success in Schools.
 

In this role, you will represent the Education Supports Sector/Alberta Education on cross-divisional and cross-ministry working groups to providing expert policy advice to promote evidence-based decisions, including data analysis.
 

As a Senior Policy Analyst, you will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following activities within the branch:
 

• Provision of data and information collection, management, analysis and consultation services to determine requirements for, and the value of, current and potential programs, services and initiatives.
• Prepare reports and analysis of data/information to ensure program leaders have research results presented in an appropriate format to inform decision making.
• Lead policy and options development for consideration and decision by the Minister and senior management.
• Provide expert advice to the Minister, Deputy Minister, Executive Team, and other senior officials to facilitate the development of effective educational policies.
• Develop collaborative relationships with other departments and external stakeholders to further ministry priorities.
• Supports Success in Schools with collaboration with Children Family services.
• Support the data analysis and research needs of the sector 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.
 

In this role, you will contribute to our team by demonstrating the following behavioral competencies:
 

• Systems Thinking - Must be able to develop and run scenarios to determine if policy and practices align with government direction while considering feedback from stakeholders to determine where changes are recommended.
   
• Creative Problem Solving - Focus on identification of root causes to resolve identified issues. Identifies solutions to complex problems while considering the perspectives of several stakeholders. Requires collaboration with ministry and cross-ministry partners.
   
• Agility - Has the ability to anticipate and understand changing environments, changing scopes/requirements and to adjust project plans, milestones and deliverables accordingly in order to achieve identified outcomes.
   
• Drive for Results - The individual in this role must have the skills and knowledge to develop, monitor, evaluate changes to department funding policies to assess their impact of external stakeholders. To be successful in this role, they should have superior communication skills.
   
• Build Collaborative Environments - Works across the department, other ministries and/or with stakeholders to bring subject matter experts together to develop comprehensive recommendations to address complex issues; stakeholders have confidence in capabilities, expertise, knowledge resulting in credibility and the ability to move cross-ministry projects forward.

Qualifications

A University graduation in a related field (Political Science, Public Policy, Public Administration or Education) plus four (4) years progressively responsible related experience. Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one-for-one basis.
 

Assets:
 

• Master’s degree preferred in a related field such as Education, political science, public policy or public administration in order to provide the analytical and conceptual thinking abilities.
• Experience in public policy development and coordination, options development, consultation, decision-making, implementation, evaluation/performance measurement).
• Experience in working on cross-ministry projects.
• Experience working in a school authority.
• Knowledge and an understanding of applicable acts and related legislation, ministerial orders and regulations, including Education Act and Regulations; Child, Youth and Families Enhancement Act; Child First Act; Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act; Personal Information Protection Act; Guide to Education: ECS to Grade 12; Professional Practice Standards – Teacher, Leadership, and Superintendent; Funding Manual for School Authorities; and Ministerial Order on Student Learning.
• Proficient in automated systems and software tools used to carry out responsibilities (i.e. Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point, ARTS, the Internet and web-based programs).
• Experience writing and coordinating briefings, background papers, and strategies for senior officials on key findings of current policy directions.
• Experience in working with various Internal and External Stakeholders.
   

Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

This is permanent, full-time position working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
 

Work location is in 44 Capital Boulevard, 10044 108 St NW, Edmonton.
 

A cover letter is required. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
 

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part time or full time.

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.
• 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.