Platform Strategist

Job Information
Job Title: Platform Strategist 
Job Requisition ID: 62975
Ministry: Technology and Innovation
Location: Remote across Alberta
Full or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week
Permanent/Temporary: Permanent
Scope: Open Competition
Closing Date: October 10,2024
Classification: Systems Analyst 3 (Opted Out and Excluded)
Salary: $3,199.50 to $4,237.85 bi-weekly ($83,507 - $110,608/year)

The Government of Alberta is committed to a diverse and inclusive public service that reflects the population we serve to best meet the needs of Albertans. Consider joining a team where diversity, inclusion and innovation are valued and supported. For more information on diversity and inclusion, please visit: https://www.alberta.ca/diversity-inclusion-policy.aspx

The Digital Design and Delivery (DDD) division within the Ministry of Technology and Innovation (TI) leads the development of the next-generation of digital public services for the GoA. DDD partners with other departments to deliver products, platforms and services that are better, faster and easier, through modern user-centered agile processes. DDD offers potential candidates a unique opportunity to work on meaningful challenges that transform government and positively impact Albertans.  

The Platform branch within DDD is accountable for supporting ministry programs through the planning, development, delivery and operations of user-centered common platform services. The branch builds and develops common platforms and data services that enable product teams to deliver working software that meets the needs of their users. 

Role Responsibilities

The Platform branch is looking for multiple Platform Strategists.  These positions report to the Director of Platform Strategy.

The responsibilities of this role includes:

Government-as-platform vision and plans

• Identifying platform needs through workshops and other activies to create roadmaps that contribute to planning and delivery of platform products.
• Communicating plans for platform products across the Platform branch and other areas within the Government of Alberta (GoA).
• Actively monitoring GoA-wide business needs and product development for Platform opportunities.
• Collaboratively identifying the parameters of what “government-as-platform" should look like, assisting leadership in the development of a plan for development to implementation.
• Contributing to the development of short- and long-term plans to deliver on approach, based on GoA needs and priorities.
• Maintaining and fostering collaborative relationships to inform GoA's approach to government-as-platform.
• Supporting budget and funding aspects as needed.

Platform Practice and Governance

• Contributing to overarching collaborative Platforms practices and standards with a focus on data platforms.
• Promoting Platforms approach and value to facilitate them being embedded into ongoing team operations.
• Proactively communicating, developing, and maintaining effective and productive relationships with a wide variety of both internal and external stakeholders to identify issues and providing solutions in a timely manner.
• Providing recommendations to senior leaders to improve governance standards and practice.
• Integrating with and providing expertise on platform design topics and standards.
• Providing technical advice, and recommendations as it relates to platform and software development.

Support the Director in achieving Unit goals and priorities.

• Providing insight and recommendations on issues, opportunities, and challenges in performance measures and analytics practices and culture.
• Working collaboratively with team, unit and branch staff to ensure appropriate coordination and integration of branch functions and delivery of products, tools, processes, and services.
• Establishing and maintaining relationships with department and GoA representatives, stakeholders, and partners.
• Representing the branch and/or the division on department working groups and committees with diverse mandates and responsibilities.
• Developing content for reports, briefing notes, responses to queries etc.

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.

Agility: Ability to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, manage resilience in times of uncertainty and effectively work in a changing environment.

Drive for Results: Knowing what outcomes are important and maximizing resources to achieve results that are aligned with the goals of the organization, while maintaining accountability to each other and external stakeholders.

Develop self and others: A commitment to lifelong learning and the desire to invest in the development of the long-term capability of yourself and others.

Build Collaborative Environments: Leads and contributes to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve outcomes.

Develop Networks: Proactively building networks, connecting, and building trust in relationships with different stakeholders.

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.

Creative Problem Solving: Ability to assess options and implications in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions.

Qualifications

Requirements:

• University degree in a related field such as Computer Science, Information Technology, Commerce, or Arts, with four (4) years related experience in cloud development and digital delivery approaches.
• Experience as a software architect and/or senior developer on complex software solutions in an agile team environment.
• Experience guiding and mentoring teams on design and implementing best practices.
• Experience conveying technical information to advise decision-makers on solution architecture.
• Experience designing solutions that utilize cloud services.
• Experience working with teams that also apply UX design, service design, design thinking, or human-centered design approaches.
• Experience developing and leading projects.

Equivalencies:

• A related two-year diploma in computer technology or a related discipline from a recognized post-secondary institution and six (6) years related experience; or
• A related one-year certificate from a recognized post-secondary institution and seven (7) years related experience.

Assets:

• Experience in user centred digital delivery an asset.
• Strong understanding of software architecture, DevOps, CloudOps, and supporting technologies with a focus on platform services.
• Broad understanding of GoA services, and more specifically of the needs of client-ministries to inform and shape the development of data models.
• Advanced troubleshooting skills.

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 hrs/week - Monday to Friday

Location: Remote across Alberta

This position is eligible for remote work. You must reside in Alberta to work remotely.

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level. 

Applicants are advised to provide a cover letter summarizing information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience, and relevant examples of required competencies. 

Additional Information:
In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. As well, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part-time, or full-time. For example, January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Assistant (PT three 8 hrs. shifts/week).

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
• Pension plans:
  • Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.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

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 visit https://www.alberta.ca/job-application-resources#before for more information. Please visit Recruitment Principles, for more information.

It is recommended applicants who have completed post-secondary studies from outside of Canada obtain an evaluation of their credentials from the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)(https://www.alberta.ca/international-qualifications-assessment.aspx) or from a recognized Canadian Credential Evaluator; please visit the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada for more information (https://canalliance.org/en/default.html).

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 Sam Thomas Mathew at Sam.Thomasmathew@gov.ab.ca.