Role Responsibilities

Alberta Student Aid provides student loans, grants, scholarships, and awards to help learners cover their educational costs. This position plays a key role in supporting the effectiveness and integrity of student loan and grant eligibility processes. While most funding decisions are resolved through standard assessments, some complex or exceptional cases require additional review. This position supports that critical function by overseeing escalated file reviews—referred to as Requests for Review (RFRs)—and ensuring consistency, clarity, and fairness in how policy is applied and communicated. The work requires strong analytical thinking, excellent writing skills, and sound judgment, with a direct impact on students’ educational journeys and trust in the system.

The RFR Coordinator is the focal point for review of documents and correspondence generated through the RFR process to ensure that policy is applied consistently, and the written documents have the appropriate content and presentation for the intended audience. This work contributes to timely approval processes for all three levels of RFR (Request for Reconsideration; Request for Executive Review – Level 2; Request for Ministerial Review – Level 3), validity and reliability of reviews.

The position works within the framework of existing program policies and regulations, and prescribed process and timelines for RFRs. The position creates write-ups in accordance with department standards.

Complete initial reviews of potential Level 2 and Level 3 Reviews; determine if there is an avenue for resolution as a Level 1 Review; if not, escalate Levels 2 and 3 to the Executive Director and Assistant Deputy Minister, respectively.

• Review, in depth, the merits of the request in light of policy, regulations, and external programs that may be beneficial to the student’s needs, and communicate these findings in their file review and decision making.
• Escalate the level of review for specific cases based on interpretation and review of policy in relation to file details.
• Update process documents as needed, liaising with Operational Awareness Team to update information on the Student Aid website.
• Develop, enhance, and maintain relevant templates.
• Track, analyse, and evaluate current and emerging issues, trends and key messages arising from reviews.
• Recommend future assessment/communication/correspondence strategies to support divisional management of strategic information (e.g., new training, process improvements).
• Research and identify alternative sources of support from the GoA if request is not approved or if alternative sources may benefit the student instead of student financial assistance through connections with other ministries.  
• Develop support tools and job aids to support Levels 2 and 3 assessments and to integrate lessons learned over time.
• Participate in meetings and committees at the branch and division levels representing application assessment perspectives. 

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 - Considers the impact of strategies and changes on the work of clients, stakeholders, and team members and support organization vision and goals through strategic planning of tasks and considering relationships between different work approaches and their impact on different programs, divisions and ministries.
  
  
• Creative Problem Solving - Facilitates the creation of a work environment for generating and finding newer ideas to solve existing and potential problems.
  
  
• Agility - Possesses an ability to create an adaptable environment and overcome barriers through proactive and flexible approach to work.
  
  
• Drive for Results - Plans for and delivers results, from concrete deliverables to process improvements, managing resources effectively and ensuring attention to detail.
  
  
• Building Collaborative Work Environments - Leads cross functional collaboration and initiate strategic communication systems to anticipate and address potential conflict and builds and atmosphere of genuine trust and teamwork.
  
  
• Develop Self and Others - Proven ability to foster partnerships and to achieve organizational goals within an organization by adopting a continuous improvement approach to enhance efficiency and productivity among team members.
  
  
• Develop Networks - Develops and sustains a network of relationships across the division and with other GOA ministries on issues and work with other branches to develop effective communication channels to enhance and maximize the effectiveness of interactions.

Qualifications

University graduation in a related field; no experience required; 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. 

Assets: 

• Knowledge and demonstrated competence in proper English grammar and usage
• Knowledge of Contract Management
• Knowledge of different types of correspondences like Briefing Notes, Letters, Memos etc.
• Knowledge of the Alberta government writing style and preferences and presentation requirements for various approval levels
• Knowledge of the range of programs provided through Student Financial Services
• Knowledge of the relevant Student Financial Services program policies and how they are applied to RFRs
• Knowledge of other sources of financial support available to Albertans (internal or external to the GoA) that could be recommended as an alternative to students that have requested an RFR

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 (1) temporary, full-time positions working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

This position is based in Edmonton. We require you to attach a Cover Letter with application explaining your qualification and suitability for this role.    

The final candidate for this position will be asked to undergo pre-employment checks.

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.