Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Manager, Digital Delivery, the Product Owner serves as the lead of a digital Product Team that focuses on developing and enhancing a product or digital service to improve user experience and meet business need. The position works closely with program areas across Advanced Education and with other Ministries, as well as with staff from the Digital Design and Delivery branch within Technology and Innovation and third-party contractors.

Key responsibilities of the Product Owner:

• Define the product vision and strategy
• Create and manage the product backlog
• Collaborate with stakeholders
• Make product decisions
• Provide leadership and guidance to the development team
• Ensure product quality
• Evaluate and report product progress

 
The position works within a complex environment, working closely with program areas across Advanced Education and partnering Ministries, as well as with product team members from the Digital Design and Delivery branch within Technology and Innovation.

The Product Owner must work innovatively and collaboratively to lead the development of high-quality products and services, as well as contribute to and deliver on the priorities of the Advanced Education digital roadmap. The position requires leadership skills to build effective teams and be successful in delivering new digital services that meet user and business area needs.

The Product Owner works independently and is accountable for delivering results that affect larger populations of external and internal stakeholders.

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.

• Agility – Demonstrated ability to manage and adapt to change. Ability to manage human, financial and physical resources within an operating environment.
  
  
• Drive for Results – Leadership skills, including demonstrated ability and comfort with decision-making responsibilities, coaching and teaching, and the ability to inspire and build confidence in others.
  
  
• Build Collaborative Environments – Strong track record in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
  
  
• Systems Thinking – Effective leadership abilities combined with a strong commitment to operating within a team environment and the ability to motivate and inspire other to achieve common goals.
  
  
• Creative Problem Solving – Excellent analytical and decision-making skills.

Qualifications

Requirements:

A University Degree in any of the following: Arts, Business, Computer Science or related degree and a minimum of 4 years’ related experience. Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one-for-one basis.

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.

Relevant experience may include:

• Demonstrated competencies in leading and participating in project teams including business areas and technical resources.
• Understanding of design thinking methodology and application of User Experience (UX) design principles, tools and methodologies.
• Understanding of methodologies related to product development, human centered design, product management, evaluation and monitoring.
• Knowledge of government strategic goals and policy directions, particularly as they relate to Advanced Education’s mandate.
• Consulting with internal and external stakeholders to gauge product performance and identify improvement opportunities.
• Organization, time management, multi-tasking and coordination skills to manage variety and volume of work with close attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills including verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Effective relationship building skills.

Assets:

• Working experience of Advanced Education’s service eco system and client experience including barriers to accessing and sharing information.
• Knowledge and experience with business and strategic planning, outcomes management and stakeholder management.
• Ability to interact with executive leadership and cross-ministry colleagues to review priorities establish alignment of strategic goals as a part of the AE Digital Strategy and champion digital products.
• Knowledge in agile methodology within a digital team environment and experience or knowledge in working with agile delivery tools such a Jira, Confluence and Miro.
• Product Owner / Scrum certification.
• Leverage analytical tools to surface better data and insights on product performance.

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 position working 36.25 hours per week, working Monday to Friday, the position is based out of Edmonton.

Candidates are required to submit a resume and cover letter 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.

**Please note that applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Resumes must include precise employment dates (month and year) to assist in assessing written communication skills and attention to detail.

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

Final candidates may be required to undergo a security screening.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate.

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
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.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