Role Responsibilities

Forestry Division, within the Department of Forestry and Parks, faces complex challenges spanning in topic across economic, environmental, social, and cultural values. A systems thinking approach is required to conduct issues or systems analysis, and to generate creative solutions that align with the strategic goals and priorities of Forestry Division, the Department of Forestry and Parks, and the Government of Alberta. 
 
Reporting to the Director ofthe Strategic Forest Initiatives & Policy Section, the Strategic Systems Advisor provides leadership, coordination, development, facilitation and knowledge/skill transfer to internal and external teams involved with strategic issues, and systems challenges or initiatives within the Division and Ministry. This involves designing, planning, leading and evaluating systems analysis of major projects/programs shifts, as well as the coordination of new initiatives. In leading these highly complex processes, this position acts as a change agent interacting with the forest sector, interest groups, research groups, business and industry, academia, environmental groups, Indigenous communities, and staff from the ministry and cross-government teams. This position operates in an environment which is both highly political and technically based. 
 
This position provides highly specialized expertise essential for exploring system/program issues and solutions pertaining to the use and management of crown forests, including wildfire, in Alberta. Public forests, wildfire, and forest industry related issues and initiatives are typically sensitive and involve multiple and competing social, economic, environmental, safety, and political perspectives. The Strategic Systems Advisor balances and integrates the diverse rights, views and perspectives of stakeholders, to identify emerging issues relating to management of crown forests and wildfires. Then through analysis, jurisdictional scanning, foresight, and other systems-based approaches, provides strategic advice and recommendations to senior Department, Government of Alberta (GoA), or stakeholder representatives. In analyzing issues this position seeks to provide solutions that are aligned with the strategic goals and priorities of the GoA, and of the Department of Forestry and Parks. 
 
The Strategic Systems Advisor works closely with Forestry Division and Department staff, other departments, other jurisdictions (including federal, provincial, territorial or international jurisdictions), Indigenous peoples, the forest sector, municipalities, and stakeholder organizations to manage and compile the research and analysis needed to develop strategic recommendations, briefings, and responses. The Strategic Systems Advisor, as part of the Strategic Forest Initiatives and Policy section, provides support to staff across the entire Forestry Division. 

Role Continued

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide timely information, in the form of research, analysis, horizon scanning, or foresighting that supports recommendations for policy or program adjustments and decisions. 
• Employ change management principles to support streamlining of Divisional processes, procedures, policies, and programs to improve efficiencies and effectiveness of internal operations.
• Develop policy or program scenario models for analyzing changing policy or programs, and their impacts on the management of forests, wildfire, or forest industry. 
• Support business transformation and improvements in Forestry Division, ensuring alignment with the Department and Division's core business goals and objectives.
• Support ongoing mandate and operations of Forestry Division and the Department.
• Continuous professional development and enhancement of relevant skills, including project management skills.

Please click on this link to view the job description.

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: Employ a systems thinking approach and horizon scanning to conduct research and lead innovation in the adoption of systems design methodology for policy and programs.

Creative Problem Solving: Assess options and implications in new ways to inform decision making on potential solutions to achieve outcomes.

Build Collaborative Environments: Lead and contribute to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve desired outcomes.

Develop Networks: Actively share knowledge, expertise, skills and perspectives with others to provide insight as well as gain information. 

Agility: Consider and adapt to a changing environment while supporting staff through change, and focus on desired outcomes.

Qualifications

University graduation in a field related to the position assignment (e.g. Communications, Political Science, Policy, Futures/Strategy/Innovation, Public Administration), plus four years of progressively responsible experience or equivalent as described below. 

Equivalency: Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of: 
1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or 
1 year of experience for 1 year of education. 

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 is a permanent, full-time role with the standard weekly work hours of 36.25, Monday to Friday.

Travel within the area and throughout the province will be required as part of your responsibilities to coordinate with Ministry staff and colleagues, other government departments, clients, and other external stakeholders. 

Candidates may be asked to complete a written assignment as a part of the interview process.

Application Information:
•    In your application, please a include cover page detailing your interest, and role related experience.
•    In your resume 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. For example January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Assistant (PT three, 8-hour shifts/week).
•    Three (3) work-related references are required for those selected for an interview.

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. 

What the GoA has to offer:

•    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.
•    Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement.
•    Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.