Role Responsibilities

Are you passionate and curious about soil health, land use, and agricultural sustainability—are you someone who gets genuinely intrigued by what’s happening beneath our feet?

As the Soil Health and Land Use Senior Policy Analyst, you will work with a high degree of independence, providing strategic leadership to develop and implement policies that strengthen soil health, support sustainable agriculture, and align with broader natural resource management goals within working landscapes.

In this role, you will lead complex policy initiatives, collaborate with cross-ministry and intergovernmental partners (because great ideas rarely happen in silos), and provide expert advice grounded in science, data, and emerging practices. You’ll also represent the Government of Alberta in external forums and help advance key initiatives like the National Agricultural Soil Health Strategy.

This position plays a central role in the implementation and ongoing evolution of soil health strategies, helping ensure that agricultural landscapes remain productive, resilient, and ecologically sustainable for future generations.

You will be part strategist, part relationship-builder, and part problem-solver, connecting policy, science, and stakeholder perspectives to address emerging opportunities and challenges affecting Alberta’s agricultural lands.

Key responsibilities will include

1. Leading Soil Health Policy and Strategic Initiatives
   
   • Develop and implement policies that integrate soil stewardship, land-use planning, and biodiversity conservation.
   • Lead priority projects, manage stakeholder input, and provide strategic advice to senior leadership.
2. Policy Analysis and Development
   
   • Monitor emerging trends, research, and beneficial management practices in soil health, biodiversity, and sustainable land management.
   • Conduct in-depth research and analysis to inform policy decisions on soil health, land use, and agricultural sustainability.
   • Evaluate and synthesize data and science-driven insights to develop policy recommendations.
3. Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
   
   • Participate in collaborative initiatives that help advance shared stewardship goals.
   • Represent the ministry in intergovernmental and external forums, including partnerships with organizations like the Soil Conservation Council of Canada.
   • Collaborate with provincial, federal, and non-governmental partners to align soil health policies with broader environmental objectives.
4. Providing Expert Advice
   
   • Deliver well-structured briefings, materials, and presentations to support informed decision-making.
   • Ensure policies are balanced, defensible, and aligned with long-term sustainability goals.

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 - Shapes APS goals with a view of entire network:

• Considers whole system and links; sets goals for long-term outcomes and broad perspectives.
• Evaluates short, medium, and long-term impacts to inform progress.
• Shapes organization to meet client needs.

Creative Problem Solving - Creates the environment for innovative problem solving:

• Generates new ways of thinking; ensures right questions are being asked about a problem.
• Eliminates barriers to creativity and innovation.
• Encourages a culture of innovation.

Agility - Creates an adaptable environment:

• Fosters agility, proactive and flexible.
• Leads and creates momentum for change.
• Champions plan of action and overcomes barriers through proactive anticipation.
• Quickly understands and reacts to environment, establishing flexible culture.

Build Collaborative Environments - 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 diverse perspectives for achieving outcomes.

Drive for Results - Aligns different groups to achieve goals and realize broader outcomes:

• Defines work mission to achieve APS goals and integrate projects.
• Provides bold advice to stakeholders.
• Proactively improves overall performance, measured through metrics.

Qualifications

Required

• University graduation in Agriculture, Environmental Science, Public Policy, Agrology, Biology, or a related field,
• Plus 4 years of related experience in policy development, land use planning, natural resource management.

Equivalencies are considered on the basis of:

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

Preference will be given to those with an in-depth understanding of agricultural systems and working landscapes, including soil health, land-use practices, and environmental interconnections (soil, water, air, biodiversity).

Assets

• Professional Agrologist or Professional Biologist.
• Proven ability to design and implement evaluation frameworks, including methodological design, data collection (e.g., surveys), analysis, interpretation, and reporting.
• Strong knowledge of policy analysis and development processes, including issue identification, options analysis, decision support, implementation, and evaluation.
• Proficiency in data management and analytical techniques, with experience using tools for data analysis, visualization, and evidence-based reporting.
• Knowledge of extension practices and adult learning principles to effectively communicate complex information and support program and policy adoption.
• Demonstrated project management skills, including planning, coordination, resource allocation, and managing multiple priorities and deliverables.
• Awareness of current and emerging trends in agriculture and environmental management, with the ability to translate insights into policy and program development.
  
  

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

Position Information

• Office located in Edmonton (J.G.O’Donoghue Building 7000-113 Street).
• Other locations in Alberta may be considered (please list your preferred location under the pre-screen question).
• Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week (permanent full time).
• Monday to Friday (08:15 am-16:30 pm).

Other Application Information

• A cover letter is required with your application, outlining how your education and experience align with the role
• Final candidates may be required to undergo a written test demonstrating writing skills and abilities pre or post interviews.
• This position may require final candidates to undergo a security clearance.
• 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
• 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.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.