Research Analyst

Job Information
Job Title: Research Analyst 
Job Requisition ID: 64710
Ministry: Agriculture and Irrigation
Location: Edmonton
Full or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week
Permanent/Temporary: Permanent
Scope: Open Competition
Closing Date:  November 28, 2024
Classification: Program Services 3 Market Adjustment
Salary: $2,626.89 to $3,448.73 bi-weekly ($68561.82 - $90,011.85/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 Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation is responsible for the policies, legislation, regulations, programs, and services that enable Alberta’s agriculture and food sectors to flourish and contribute to Alberta’s economic recovery and growth. The ministry’s role is diverse, ranging from food safety and industry growth and diversification to increasing investment and supporting growth in rural Alberta. The ministry also supports foundational programs like irrigation and agricultural societies that help create strong rural communities and resilient agriculture sectors. For more information about the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation please visit our website at: https://www.alberta.ca/agriculture-and-irrigation.aspx.

Trade, Investment and Food Safety Division (TIFS) expands and diversifies Alberta’s food and bio-product manufacturing sector in local and global markets while also providing effective food safety assurance systems.

Statistics & Data Development - The Statistics and Data Development (SADD) Section of Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation (AGI) provides timely, unbiased data, information, analysis and statistical expertise in support of evidence-based policy development and informed business decision-making by our Ministry, partners and other clients, in growing Alberta’s agri-food industry.

Role Responsibilities

Are you passionate about numbers, have a strong analytical mind, a keen eye for detail and an interest in the agriculture and agri-food industry?

Do you enjoy showcasing your unique abilities to transform complex information into innovative tools and unique visuals that tell compelling stories?

If so, the Statistics and Data Development Section within the Trade, Economics and Data Analytics Branch of Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation needs a research analyst who is highly motivated, responsible, organized, articulate and comfortable with communicating data and information to clients.

Reporting to the Senior Statistician, this position provides leadership, direction, value added analysis and maintenance of statistical databases in two core areas, namely Census of Agriculture (CEAG) and agri-food trade, as part of ensuring the continued integrity of the Section's Statistical Program in accordance with policy and legislative requirements. The position is the lead for SADD Section related to CEAG and works closely with Statistics Canada to address data gaps, data issues, and deliver on complex data requirements. It also provides advanced business support and expertise by way of consultation and liaison with ministry clients (internal/external) and other stakeholders. The CEAG data is a critical source of sub-provincial agriculture data for regional analysis (e.g. drought, community profiles, etc.). The position also assists with requests for statistics related to other economic indicators (e.g. manufacturing sales, employment, gross domestic product, etc.). 

This position is also responsible for ensuring that all requests from clients (internal/external) are handled in a timely and efficient manner for purposes of decision making and program and policy development. Specific services provided to clients include the provision of data, expertise, analysis and data visualization in the areas of CEAG, agri-food trade and other economic indicators. It also works with subject area specialists on surveys, as needed. This position works closely with other professional staff in conducting research and adapting statistics to project needs.

The successful candidate must demonstrate the following skills:
 

• Familiarity with managing and maintaining large databases;
• Familiarity with various computer software for spreadsheet and database management, graphics, questionnaire design and word processing;
• Proficiency in data visualization tools, such as Power BI, enabling effective communication of insights and trends;
• Experience with programming languages commonly used in data analysis, such as R or Python, for data manipulation, statistical analysis and machine learning tasks;
• Well-developed analytical and research skills, experience in analyzing and consolidating large datasets;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with an ability to express technical and complex issues in a manner that facilitates informed decision-making;
• Ability to prioritize and lead or support multiple work assignments and adapt quickly to a rapidly changing environment;
• Attention to detail.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competency

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.
 

• Developing Networks: Must have the ability to work with diverse stakeholder groups such as Statistics Canada and other GOA Ministries in partnering, leveraging and acquiring appropriate data in Census of Agriculture, agri-food trade and value-added agriculture.
• Systems Thinking: Must have the ability to see the bigger picture and keep the broader impacts and connections in mind to maximize value when producing data to meet clients' needs.
• Creative Problem Solving: Creative problem-solving abilities will allow you to identify and create innovative solutions to address data needs and challenges for Alberta, such as filling data gaps, replacing traditional data sources, etc.
• Agility: You readily adapt to changing data needs and priorities in the Section/Branch/Ministry.
• Drive for Results: You will provide leadership and manage the development and refining of statistics relating to the Census of Agriculture, agri-food trade, and value-added agriculture and must ensure that work done in the Section aligns with ministry objectives and clients' data needs.
• Build Collaborative Environments: Working closely with other GOA ministries and Statistics Canada, acting as an expert resource and building and maintaining trusting relationships to ensure the production of timely and quality statistics in the areas of Census of Agriculture, agri-food trade and value-added agriculture.

Qualifications

Education:
 

• A University Degree 
• two (2) years progressively responsible related experience*

*Related experience includes provincial or national statistical program initiatives and agricultural economics.

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.

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 is located in Edmonton
• Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week
• Monday to Friday (8:15 to 4:30 pm) 
• Flexible start/end times may be considered

Additional Applicant Information:
 

• A cover letter is required. 
• Final candidates may be required to undergo a test demonstrating their skills and abilities after interviews.
• 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. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in. 

Instructions for your Resume:
For Employment Experience:
 

• Please indicate duration of employment (month, year) in words.
• Please specify employment status (i.e. casual, part-time or full-time).

Ex: Youth Worker, Jan 2006 - June 2009, Part-time (three, 8 hour shifts per week).

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

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx
• 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

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 Jane McEwen at Jane.McEwen@gov.ab.ca.