Writer/Editor

Role Responsibilities

Are you a talented writer and editor looking for an opportunity to make an impact in public service? The Alberta Crown Prosecution Service is seeking a skilled Writer/Editor to join its Strategic Policy and Community Engagement team. In this role, you will develop, edit, and coordinate high-quality communications that support the administration of justice in Alberta, ensuring complex information is transformed into clear, accurate, and effective messaging for a variety of audiences. If you excel at producing polished written products, collaborating with diverse stakeholders, and delivering work that informs decision-making, this role is for you.

Reporting to the Manager of Strategic Policy and Community Engagement, you will work collaboratively with ACPS Business Strategists and other ministry partners. You will ensure written materials meet applicable industry, Government of Alberta, ministry, division and branch standards.

Drafts, edits, formats and reviews correspondence and written materials.

• Written products are prepared clearly, professionally and on time to support branch, divisional and ministry business needs.
• Drafts and edits routine to complex correspondence, letters, memos, briefing materials, meeting notes, issue summaries, key messages and administrative documents.
• Ensures each written product is accurate, responsive, readable, audience-appropriate and consistent with approved messages, tone, templates and Government of Alberta and ministry standards.
• Prepares final document packages with the required background materials, previous correspondence, approvals, references and supporting information.

Reviews and refines written materials so they communicate the intended meaning clearly, accurately and appropriately for the intended audience.

• Corrects spelling, grammar, punctuation, syntax and word usage while preserving the intended meaning.
• Applies approved templates and style guides to maintain consistency in writing style, spacing, headings, colour, graphics, layout and other editorial requirements.
• Identifies factual inconsistencies, unclear wording, missing information and other content concerns; consults divisional staff to resolve questions and confirm required changes.
• Provides clear editing direction and reviews revisions throughout production to ensure requested changes are accurately incorporated.
• Uses digital presentation strategies, tone and language appropriate to the intended audience.

Conducts research and gathers information to support complete and accurate written products.

• Searches internal records, previous correspondence, background documents, policy materials, public information and approved sources to support draft responses.
• Compiles and summarizes information from multiple sources for use in correspondence, briefing materials and issue summaries.
• Consults program areas, subject matter experts and other ministries to verify information, address gaps or inconsistencies and obtain clarification before materials are finalized.
• Flags sensitive issues, trends, risks or matters requiring additional review to the manager or senior staff.
• Maintains current knowledge of legislation, policies, emerging issues, programs and services affecting the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service and Alberta Justice, including relevant services delivered by other ministries.
• Stays current on Action Request Tracking System (ARTS) processes, standards and other factors that affect the preparation of correspondence.

Plans and organizes information gathering and work

• Suggests any changes that will contribute to improved quality of content and/or appearance.
• Assists branch, sector or division staff with the preparation of key documents.
• Adheres to established processes and provides input and recommendations for continuous improvement of the processes.
• Adapts priorities to meet deadlines.
• Provides accurate and current status updates as requested.
• Works independently within defined division and ministry objectives as well as collaboratively as a member of project teams.
• Participates in branch and unit meetings to provide and receive updates regarding ongoing work activities, projects, division Ministry partnerships, and other branch and division Ministry business. 

Coordinates the preparation of written communications and provides advice to support accurate, consistent and audience-appropriate messaging.

• Coordinates response preparation with appropriate program areas and reviews drafts for style, tone, clarity, conciseness and accuracy.
• Provides consultation and guidance on written communications materials.
• Handles confidential and sensitive information appropriately and in accordance with established procedures.

Coordinates correspondence, Action Requests (ARs) and document workflow in absence of ACPS ARTS Coordinator.

• Reviews incoming correspondence, ARs, briefing requests, emails and related documents to identify the required action, timelines, templates and routing.
• Monitors Business Strategist workload and assigns correspondence or requests to the appropriate staff member.
• Proofreads ARs for compliance with established formatting and editorial standards before forwarding them for review.
• Routes items to the appropriate staff, managers or subject matter experts for input, review or approval and tracks them through completion within required timelines.
• Works closely with the Justice Ministerial Correspondence Unit to ensure procedures are followed and routing is accurate.

The Job Description is provided for further details on 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.

• Drive for Results: Flag, provide solutions, and address issues in accordance with the priorities of the Ministry and division.
• Agility: Coordinate individual tasks within the overall workflow and processes. Collaborate with functional and project team members with the end-result in mind. Understand overall system (both at the department and division levels) and seek to understand the parameters of the role within that system.
• Creative Problem Solving: Understand and challenge processes with an eye to continuous improvement. Explore different approaches to a task and/or process; and distinguish what is working, what isn't working, what can be improved.
• Build Collaborative Environments: Collaborate within functional and project teams, as well as with internal stakeholders within the branch and division and across the department. Demonstrate effective communication strategies that promote win-win solutions.
• Systems Thinking: The work done within the APS is part of a larger integrated and inter-related environment. It is important to know that work done in one part of the APS impacts a variety of other groups/projects inside and outside the APS. Systems Thinking allows us to keep broader impacts and connections in mind.

Qualifications

A University graduation in a related field plus 2 years of progressively responsible related experience,

OR

A two-year diploma in a related field, plus 4 years of progressively responsible related experience.

OR

6 years of related education or 6 years of progressively responsible related experience

Related education may include English, Journalism, Political Science or Communications.

Preference will be given to candidates with experience in the following areas:

• Writing and editing experience within a complex or multi-faceted organization.
• Proficiency working with project management and tracking software, such as the Government of Alberta’s Action Request Tracking System (ARTS).

Assets:

• Excellent English verbal and writing skills.
• Excellent memory, organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent computer skills, knowledge of appropriate software and ability to organize data logically.
• Creative problem solving.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing, with a wide range of individuals.
• Ability to work collaboratively.
• Ability to effectively handle time pressures and manage multiple and conflicting priorities.
• Strong ability to think critically about issues that may impact the organization or the public at large.

In addition to your resume, please include a cover letter briefly outlining your experience with writing and editing, ideally in a corporate or government environment (applications without the Cover Letter may not be considered).  

 
 Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.

Notes

• Hours of work: 36.25 hours/week, Monday to Friday (8:15 am – 4:30 pm).
• This position is on-site 5 days per week in an office located in downtown Edmonton
• Selected candidates will be asked to complete an in-person written assessment in the form of a writing test. AI tools are not permitted for this assessment.
• Final candidates will be required to undergo an academic verification and security screening.
• This competition may be used to fill future vacancies at the same or lower classification level.

This position is open for 1 year with the possibility of extension

Final candidates for this position will be asked to undergo security screening. 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.

This competition may be used to fill future permanent, temporary, full time and part-time vacancies.

 
The Alberta Public Service is a great place to work!

Links and information on what the GoA has to offer to prospective employees.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP)  
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information.
• Professional learning and development.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.