Issues Manager, Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA)

Role Responsibilities

The AEMA Issues Manager works directly with the Deputy Managing Director and in close collaboration with AEMA's executive team to provide leadership, coordination and guidance to enable effective identification, assessment, and resolution of ongoing and emerging issues.

Responsibilities Include: 

• Determining the nature and priority of issues, researching and coordinating the assembly of supporting information, and recommending/taking appropriate action to ensure issues are dealt with in a timely, accurate, and coordinated manner.
• Working with the program areas within AEMA, the Ministry, the GoA and partner agencies and stakeholders to ensure that the Deputy Managing Director is fully informed and prepared to address ongoing and emergent events.
• Management of information flow within AEMA in support of Agency, Ministry and GoA goals and objectives.
• Supervision of the Action Request Tracking System (ARTS) process within the Agency in collaboration with Executive Correspondence Unit, Deputy Minister's Office, Minister's Office and Premier's Office.
• In the event of a significant emergency, the Manager may act for the Executive Advisor to the Managing Director to ensure cross Government of Alberta emerging incident reporting is completed.

The Issues Manager must understand precedents, organizational history, recent developments and guidance along with emerging trends to properly respond to information requests. The Issues Manager must be able to rely on a network of professional contacts within AEMA (leadership team, management and team members), the Deputy Minister's Office, Ministerial Correspondence Unit, Communications and Public Engagement, other ministry staff and external stakeholders. The Issues Manager must develop an intuitive understanding of how specific issues and problems need to be addressed within the overall framework of available information time and resources.

Please click on this LINK to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviours 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. 

Creative Problem Solving:  Works in open teams to share ideas and process issues. Uses wide range of techniques to break down problems. Allows others to think creatively and voice ideas. Brings the right people together to solve issues. Identifies new solutions for the organization.

Agility:  Identifies and manages required change and the associated risks. Identifies alternative approaches and supports others to do the same. Proactively explains impact of changes. Anticipates and mitigates emotions of others. Anticipates obstacles and stays focused on goals. Makes decisions and takes action in uncertain situations and creates a backup plan.

Systems Thinking:  Takes a long-term view towards organization’s objectives and how to achieve them. Takes holistic long-term view of challenges and opportunities. Anticipates outcomes and potential impacts, seeks stakeholder perspectives. Works towards actions and plans aligned with APS values. Works with others to identify areas for collaboration.  

Drive for Results:  Takes and delegates responsibility for outcomes. Uses variety of resources to monitor own performance standards. Acknowledges even indirect responsibility. Commits to what is good for Albertans even if not immediately accepted. Reaches goals consistent with APS direction.

Develop Networks:  Makes working with a wide range of parties an imperative. Creates impactful relationships with the right people. Ensures needs of varying groups are represented.  Goes beyond to meet stakeholder needs.  

Build Collaborative Environments:  Ensures all needs are heard and understood. Involves a wide group of stakeholders when working on outcomes. Involves stakeholders and shares resources. Positively resolves conflict through coaching and facilitated discussion.  Uses enthusiasm to motivate and guide others. Acknowledges and works with a diverse group.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies: https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

Qualifications

Required
University degree in a related field such as Public Administration, Business Management, Emergency Management, PLUS 4 years related experience or equivalency as described. 

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
For Example:

• Related 1 year certificate PLUS a minimum 7 years of experience
• Related 2 year diploma PLUS a minimum 6 years of experience
• No formal education, related minimum 8 years of experience 

The successful candidate MUST also have: 

• Demonstrated ability to analyze issues critically when preparing briefing material and to perform necessary research.
• Good working knowledge of government structures, initiatives and protocols, at the provincial and federal levels, is required to identify potential impacts on divisional activities.
• Awareness of and sensitive to change at the political level that may impact decisions at the AEMA level. A comprehensive understanding of AEMA programs, especially when reviewing documents for accuracy. Knowledge of the government budget and contract processes.
• Thorough understanding of principles and processes associated with policy development.
• Excellent knowledge and use of the English language including structure and rules for drafting or reviewing briefing material or correspondence for the Deputy Managing Director, Managing Director, Deputy Minister or Ministers signature.
• Skills in plain language document preparation, understanding for readability requirements, and awareness of alternate documents formats.
• Working knowledge of software tools used to carry out responsibilities (i.e. Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint, and Internet applications) and relevant Ministry and AEMA administrative/computing systems.
• Previous supervisory experience along with team management principles and approaches to effectively lead Issues Management across AEMA.

Assets:

• Knowledge of the AEMA structures for appropriate routing of requests and knowing where to go for needed support.
• In-depth knowledge of the Ministry and Government of Alberta policies, programs and processes, such as decision making and approval processes, AR processes and standards, Human Resource processes, etc.
• Knowledge of AEMA programs,
• Experience working in emergency services or for an emergency response agency.

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

Term of Employment:  Permanent Full-time position

Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week

Location:  Muriel Stanley Venne Building, Edmonton, AB 

This position may be required to work in the Provincial Emergency Coordination Centre or on field assignment as needed during emergencies in order to coordinate provincial emergency response efforts.  In these circumstances, the position may require working extended and irregular hours and/or shifts with minimal or no notice.

Please provide a cover letter detailing your knowledge, skills and experience as they relate to this role.

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