Jr. Consumer Education Specialist

The Utilities Consumer Advocate (UCA) is dedicated to educating advocating and mediating on behalf of Albertas residential farm and small business consumers. Reporting to the Manager Consumer Education and Awareness the Jr. Consumer Education and Engagement Specialist will support the Utilities Consumer Advocate through effective education and public engagement practices. The position will ensure the Utilities Consumer Advocates education and outreach activities engage Albertas utility consumers including target audiences and associated stakeholder organizations. The work of the position equips consumers to make informed decisions and positions the Utilities Consumer Advocate as a trusted source of support and unbiased information.

The position is also responsible for:

1. Public Education Outreach & Engagement

• Develop deliver and continually improve public education and engagement activities that align with the UCAs Consumer Education and Awareness Program.
• Research identify and pursue outreach opportunities with community groups municipalities Indigenous communities industry stakeholders and consumer organizations across Alberta.
• Build and maintain positive respectful relationships with a diverse range of internal and external partners applying strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
• Create and deliver engaging presentations workshops and webinars using tools such as PowerPoint and other presentation software.
• Ensure all educational products meet UCA visual identity Government of Alberta branding and communications standards.
• Research innovative presentation methods and engagement tools and integrate them into programming.
• Collaborate closely with Communications other Ministry divisions and Government of Alberta partners to ensure alignment with policy direction and identify opportunities for joint engagement.
• Monitor measure and report on program outcomes; adjust strategies based on data feedback and emerging trends.

2. Consumer Support & Frontline Interaction

• Respond directly to consumers across the province providing clear accurate information on Albertas electricity and natural gas markets retailers contracts billing and consumer rights.
• Apply strong problem solving and customer service skills to help consumers understand and navigate complex issues.
• Use acquired knowledge UCA databases and website tools to assess questions and provide appropriate responses.
• Guide consumers through choices related to retailers regulated services and available contracts.
• Provide referrals to other government departments or external agencies when inquiries fall outside UCAs mandate.
• Assist consumers in navigating the website.
• Identify and analyze trends and frequently asked questions to highlight areas of public concern and inform UCA program and regulatory work.

3. Stakeholder Relations & Cross Government Collaboration

• Build connections within government community organizations utilities providers and external agencies to support shared education and outreach goals.
• Gather insights during public interactions to support UCAs regulatory proceedings and consumer impact assessments.
• Provide recommendations to the Manager on potential improvements to policies procedures and engagement approaches.

4. Program Development Content Creation & Reporting

• Support the development of educational programs publications web materials and other resources that empower consumers to make informed decisions.
• Apply strong writing editing proofreading and research skills to create high quality materials.
• Write reports summaries and engagement plans to support program development.
• Maintain a strong current knowledge base of utility industry policies practices regulatory changes and consumer issues.

5. Operational & Field Requirements

• Represent the UCA at trade shows community events conferences and outreach activities.
• Work independently for extended periods while managing multiple deadlines and shifting priorities.
• Adapt to schedule changes on short notice; work evenings weekends overtime and travel throughout Alberta as required (including multi day trips up to four days).

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

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.

• Creative Problem Solving Breaks straightforward problems down into manageable components to identify what needs to be done.
• Systems Thinking Understands how work contributes to the achievement of department goals. Anticipates change in own area based on activities in other areas.
• Drive for Results Takes past experiences into consideration when making plans and adjusts plans based on past learning.
• Agility Takes advantage of opportunities to change how work is done to better anticipate obstacles and improve service.

University graduation in education arts or other related field; no experience required; 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.

Required:

• Class 5 Drivers License

Assets:

• Knowledge of how Albertas utilities system works.
• Experience developing public education and engagement materials including report writing.
• Experience developing and delivering presentations workshops and webinars.
• Experience managing tight timelines and multiple requests balancing individual contributions with content best-practices and with brand and messaging consistency.
• Experience interacting with a variety of stakeholders representing diverse interests and perspectives.
• Experience with customer service and front-line service.

Working Conditions:

• Must be able to work evenings and weekends.
• Be able to work independently and alone for long periods of time.
• Extended periods of standing and lifting up to 30 lbs are required.
  

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

Additional Position Details:

• Term of Employment: This is a temporary full-time position working 36.25 hours per week Monday to Friday (In-office) with an anticipated term of approximately 12 months.
• Location: Downtown Calgary.

Recruitment Process:

• A cover letter must accompany your application and should indicate how your previous work experience aligns to the qualifications and competencies required. Please provide clear examples of how you meet the criteria and skills required in your cover letter. Failure to provide a cover letter will lead to the application being screened out. A cover letter will be one of the ways to assess the communication skills of candidates.
• Final candidates will be required to undergo a criminal records check (CRC).
• 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 have 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.