Job Information
Job Requisition ID: 85403
Ministry: Education and Childcare
Location: Anywhere in Alberta
Full or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week
Permanent/Temporary/Wage: Temporary (ends March 31st, 2027)
Scope: Open Competition
Closing Date: July 30, 2026
Classification: Program Services 4
Salary: $3,148.20 to $4,126.82 bi-weekly ($82,168 - $107,710/year)
The Ministry of Education and Childcare
Alberta Education and Childcare support students, parents, teachers and administrators from Early Childhood Services (ECS) through Grade 12. What we have heard from Albertans will help us as we move forward in developing our future direction—to ensure students can meet the challenges and embrace the opportunities of the 21st century.
The Issues Advisor must respond promptly and effectively to requests from senior leadership, the broader Ministry, and the public, ensuring that all materials are precise, comprehensive, and aligned with organizational priorities. The role also includes developing clear, accurate written communications for license holders, community stakeholders, and Ministry partners to support consistent and transparent sector engagement.
In addition, the position may provide direct supervision to Issues Coordinators within the branch, including oversight of their work, quality assurance of materials prepared, and day‑to‑day guidance to ensure timely, accurate, and well‑coordinated issue management and communications support.
As the Issues Advisor, you will:
- Coordinate and manage divisional correspondence and action requests.
- Support day-to-day operations of the Executive Director's Office, Directors and Managers of Childcare Licensing.
- Monitor and track emerging issues affecting Child Care Delivery programs.
- Prepare and coordinate briefing materials, correspondence, and issues notes for senior leadership.
- Collaborate with program areas to gather information and ensure responses are accurate, complete, and aligned.
- Ensure the Executive Director, Assistant Deputy Minister, Deputy Minister, and Minister receive timely and accurate briefings on current and emerging issues.
- Facilitate communication among affected program areas to support coordinated responses and decision-making.
- Monitor timelines and ensure deliverables are completed within established deadlines.
- Work closely with Communications to create or oversee the creation of any publicly posted material to ensure transparency to the public.
- Provide advice and support regarding issues management processes and executive correspondence requirements.
The position provides structured support to staff and senior leadership by analyzing complex, high‑risk matters—such as program closures, investigations involving harm to children, and Ministry‑reportable incidents—and preparing clear, accurate, and strategically framed briefing materials. The Issues Advisor ensures that information is complete, validated, and presented at an appropriate level for executive decision‑making, without offering consultation on the decisions themselves.
Strong organizational and communication skills are essential to manage a high volume of provincially delivered work and to ensure the coordinated flow of information across the branch. The role requires effective oversight of data collection, validation, and analysis to support accurate briefing, informed executive decision‑making, and continuous improvement in issues management. The Issues Advisor also provides direct support to managers and supervisors in the development, review, and refinement of written materials prepared for senior leadership, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and alignment with ministry expectations. In addition, the position works collaboratively with provincial staff on an ongoing basis as issues emerge, supporting consistent information sharing, coordinated responses, and high‑quality documentation across the province.
If this position interests you, do not hesitate to apply!
Please
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.
Competencies for this position include:
Agility
- Adapts quickly to changing priorities and emerging issues.
- Maintains an open and adaptable perspective to changing priorities, timelines, and unplanned or ad hoc requests from internal and external partners.
- Demonstrates mindfulness and self-reflection by remaining focused and present, intentionally assessing emotions and actions to guide thinking and behaviour
Systems Thinking
- Understands the broader impact of issues across programs and stakeholders.
- Maintains awareness of current events, government priorities, and system-wide impacts that present challenges or opportunities.
- Applies legislative and policy knowledge, including the Early Learning and Child Care Act and Regulations, relevant policies and procedures, and related legislation.
- Leads collaborative efforts to reduce duplication and improve efficiency across the unit
Creative Problem Solving
- Analyzes complex information and develops practical solutions.
- Applies strong critical thinking, communication, interpersonal, conflict resolution, and decision-making skills to address complex and diverse issues.
- Identifies data quality or process issues that may impact reporting or outcomes.
- Uses innovative and solution-focused approaches aligned with Child Care Delivery (CCD) outcomes and priorities.
Build Collaborative Environments
- Works effectively with diverse teams and partners.
- Uses strong interpersonal and facilitation skills to build capacity and effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Builds trust and respect to engage staff, encourage collaboration, and foster a positive and inclusive working environment
Develop Networks
- Establishes productive relationships across program areas and executive offices.
- Proactively builds and sustains strong networks with diverse stakeholders.
- Builds trust-based relationships to support collaboration and effective service delivery.
- Seeks to understand the perspectives and needs of colleagues, clients, and partners.
Drive for Results
- Manages competing priorities while meeting critical deadlines.
- Understands desired outcomes and maximizes resources to achieve results.
- Maintains accountability to colleagues and external stakeholders.
- Leads with a solution-focused mindset, ensuring team efforts align with CCD outcomes and priorities.
- Role models responsibility for decisions and accountability for results.
Develop Self and Others
- Shares knowledge, expertise, and perspectives to increase collective understanding and capability.
- Coaches, mentors, and supports others to strengthen professional skills and confidence.
- Fosters a culture of learning, self-reflection, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
Communication
- Engages in and promotes active listening, respectful dialogue, and constructive problem solving.
- Communicates clearly and consistently, ensuring verbal and non-verbal communication are aligned.
- Demonstrates awareness of the impact of communication in both written and oral contexts.
Education
University graduation in a related field plus 4 years progressively responsible related experience; 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.
Position Requirements:
- Minimum 2 years leadership and/or supervisory experience with proven ability to develop, mentor, and lead in a childcare or human services field.
- Demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently within a team focused environment.
- Demonstrated ability to handle a wide variety of work demands within short time frames.
- Strong written and verbal communication to respond to concerns and coordinate information and briefings.
- Advanced strategic and analytical thinking, strong planning skills, issues management and effective consultative practice is required.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Office Suite, and SharePoint (must be comfortable with using multi-media platforms).
Preference will be given to those who have experience in:
- Executive‑level briefing: Preparing clear, concise, and strategically framed briefing materials on complex or sensitive issues for senior leadershi
- Public‑sector issues management: Coordinating timely responses to emerging issues and ensuring consistent, accurate information flow across provincial teams.
- Regulatory or legislative environments: Interpreting and applying legislation, policy, and compliance requirements within a human‑services or public‑sector context.
- Supervisory oversight: Providing guidance, quality assurance, and day‑to‑day support to staff responsible for issues coordination and written communications.
Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.
There is one full-time temporary (ends March 31st, 2027) position working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
Working location is in person 5 days a week in any government office anywhere in Alberta. This position does not support hybrid or work from home arrangements.
The final candidate for this position will undergo an academic check, reference check and provide a suitable security screening. We will accept Criminal Records Check (CRC) that have been completed within the last six months as per policy.
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.
Application Requirements
To be considered, your application must be accompanied by a cover letter that demonstrates how your education and required experience make you suitable for the role. Your cover letter and resume will be used to assess your skills and abilities.
Applications without a cover letter will not be considered for the position.
Links and information on what we have to offer:
- 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.
How To Apply
Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience, and relevant examples of required competencies.
Candidates are required to apply for a job online. Please see Job Application Resoures for information.
In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. For example, January 2006 - June 2009 (part-time). This example is provided for illustrative purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to present their information clearly and thoroughly, using a format that best conveys their experience.
It is recommended that applicants include the assessment certificate from IQAS or any other educational assessment service as part of their application.
Closing Statement
This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level.
We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates' qualifications most closely match the advertised requirements. Only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.
If you require any further information on this job posting or require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Liliane Karara at [email protected].
