Program Resource Officer

Role Responsibilities

This position is a key member of the Program Oversight and Strategic Workforce Planning unit which guides the development of Alberta's adult learning system by identifying systemic needs, opportunities and risks, and by ensuring high-quality programs of instruction delivered by post-secondary institutions.

Working with the Manager of Program Oversight and the Campus Alberta Quality Council (CAQC) Secretariat, the Program Resource Officer supports the administration and management of quality assurance coordination for the Program Oversight and Strategic Workforce Planning (POSWP) Unit of Advanced Education (AE). The Program Resource Officer provides guidance and support for communication, stakeholder applications and website, and system coordination review and operations. Key outcomes include working with government, the post-secondary system, and provincial/territorial partners for the administration and management of 1) stakeholder technology communications (e.g., SharePoint site, public website, other forms of communication) and research, 2) system coordination review of new programs and changes to existing ministry-approved programs, 3) quality assurance, auditing, changes, and monitoring of new degree programs, and 4) key CAQC, POSWP and Ministry activities/initiatives in the post-secondary system. The role supports team relationships and initiatives with Workforce Strategies team and other business areas, ministries, and adult learning system stakeholders in Alberta and Canada.

The Program Resource Officer will be accountable in managing quality assurance communication, stakeholder applications and website, and system coordination review and operations in alignment with AE strategic direction from the Manager, Program Approvals and CAQC Secretariat and POSWP through the following outcomes and activities:

1. Provide relevant, well-supported and timely briefings on post-secondary issues and recommendations concerning new program and program change proposals to the Minister and senior ministry officials, by:
 

• Thoroughly researching and analyzing issues/topics using available historical documents and online sources, and by leveraging established communication and working relationships with key partners, clients, and stakeholders.
• Working with institutions and stakeholders in the review of new and revised proposals as part of the system coordination review.
• Researching comparable programs, student and employer demand, and policy priorities as needed to support review of proposals. 
• Reviewing proposals in light of ministry/government priorities, learner and employer needs, etc.
• Provide guidance and support for communication, stakeholder applications (Sharepoint) and public website, and system coordination review and operations.

Role Responsibilities (Continued)

2. Provide strategic support to Program Approvals and CAQC Secretariat, POSWP and Ministry officials, by:

• Liaising with institutions to answer questions of clarification on degree program proposals.
• Ensuring that policies, procedures, and standards are followed with respect to consideration of applications for new degree programs and monitoring of approved degrees once implemented.
• Preparing desk review summaries, backgrounders and other documents as required to assist Council and its subcommittees with its reviews.
• Providing analyses, advice, briefings, reports and decision-making support reflective of current trends and issues.
• Overseeing and completing environmental scanning activities, including information from other jurisdictions, department and government directions/policies, and institutions.
• Researching issues, assessing impacts and policy options, and making recommendations for changes to CAQC standards and policies to meet changing requirements.

 
3. Monitor approved degree programs to ensure that CAQC's and Pan-Canadian standards of degree quality assurance continue to be met, by:
 

• Providing consultation and assistance to institutions in preparation of their annual reports and other reporting.
• Reviewing and assessing annual reports, comprehensive evaluations, subsequent evaluations and periodic reporting, as well as identifying any significant issues needing to be brought to CAQC's attention.
• Developing and maintaining tracking systems and processes to ensure that monitoring expectations are up-to-date and being met for all approved degree programs.
• Participating on any relevant committees relating to quality assurance, as required by the Manager, System Quality and CAQC Secretariat.
• Drafting and reviewing research reports on topics related to degree quality assurance.
• Communicating ongoing and sharing best practices with other Canadian and international quality assurance agencies and contacts.

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

• Develops Networks – organize working groups and meetings; to assist in the design of funding initiatives/competitions; to negotiate and structure agreements with institutions and other governments and post-secondary entities; to design and contract or conduct research projects; and to participate on or act as an expert resource to boards, program advisory committees and other authorities.
   
• Agility – draw heavily on interpersonal skills, including the capacity to work collaboratively with many different individuals and entities in assessing the need for new degrees and other programs.
   
• Systems Thinking – extensive knowledge of the post-secondary system in Alberta and of relevant legislation, regulations and key policy initiatives, combined with a comprehensive knowledge of CAQC operations, allow this position to assess information, provide advice, respond to inquiries and effectively represent Ministry interests.

Qualifications

Requirements:
 

• A university degree in public policy or in a related field plus 2 years progressively responsible related experience; or equivalent as described below.

Equivalency:
 

• Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one for one basis. 

This position requires extensive knowledge of/skills regarding:
 

• Relevant legislation, regulations and key policy initiatives, including but not limited to the Post-secondary Learning Act, Programs of Study Regulation, Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act, Tuition Fees Regulation, Public Agencies Governance Framework and Alberta Public Agencies Governance Act, Institutional Management Agreements, etc.
• Institutional and ministry program review and approval processes.
• Programs, content, and environmental context of assigned disciplines/fields (e.g., Health, Business, Human Services, Arts and Sciences, Agriculture, Education, Engineering, Fine Arts, Apprenticeship, etc.).
• Canadian post-secondary degree-granting landscape, including the regulatory regime within which other Canadian institutions operate. 
• Campus Alberta Quality Council (CAQC) operations, including policies and procedures in order to assess information, provide advice, respond to inquiries and effectively represent CAQC interests, including knowledge of board governance best practices to maximize the efficiency of CAQC's operations.

Qualifications (Continued)

Assets:

Knowledge and/or experience of the following are considered assets for this position: 
 

• Strong consultation and negotiation skills, including the ability to represent the Branch/Department and project influence in a variety of settings and at a senior level.
• Ability to facilitate a strong network of relevant contacts in institutions and among stakeholder groups.
• Ability to function under pressure and use tact, diplomacy and good judgment.
• Demonstration of highly developed critical thinking, analytical, research and policy development skills to assess issues, evaluate diverse and complex information to inform and support program approval and review decisions.
• Demonstration of highly developed written and verbal communication skills to clearly articulate often complex and diverse information suitable to the target audience.
• Knowledge of research methodologies and performance measurement to develop and refine tools and procedures for CAQC's organizational, program and comprehensive evaluations.
• Competence in the use of relevant software packages and ministry database applications, including but not limited to MS-Word, MS-Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Teams, and relevant Government of Alberta databases (e.g., Action Request Tracking System, Proposal and Program Registry System, Learner Enrolment Reporting System).
• Knowledge of Ministry financial systems and processes, including contract generation.

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 up to a one-year temporary, full-time position working 36.25 hours per week, working Monday to Friday.

Working location is 19th floor, Commerce Place, 10155 – 102 St. NW, 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.

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/about-the-alberta-public-service
• 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