Lead Grants Specialist

Role Responsibilities

Are you ready to play a lead role in delivering impactful agri-environmental programming across Alberta?

The Lead Grants Specialist supports the delivery and continuous improvement of Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) programming, including the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program and the On-Farm Efficiency Program.

This role plays a key part in strengthening how agri-environmental programs are delivered and experienced across Alberta.

Reporting to the Manager, Sustainable Agriculture Programming, this role blends grant program delivery with strategic outreach, communications leadership, and stakeholder engagement. You will help drive program uptake, support consistent and effective delivery, and provide insights that strengthen program performance and decision-making.

This role is well suited to someone who thrives in a dynamic environment, enjoys working across teams and stakeholders, and brings strong judgment, initiative, and relationship skills.

In this role, you will:

• Lead outreach and engagement activities to promote program awareness, uptake, and alignment with environmental priorities.
• Develop and deliver communication approaches, including responding to sensitive or complex inquiries with clarity and professionalism.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with producers, partners, and stakeholders across Alberta’s agriculture sector.
• Provide guidance to applicants and stakeholders on program requirements, eligibility, and processes.
• Review and assess applications, identifying risks, gaps, and funding considerations based on program criteria.
• Monitor financial and program data, supporting verification, compliance, and issue resolution.
• Collect and analyze program performance information, preparing summaries and recommendations to support decision-making.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to strengthen program delivery, reporting, and stakeholder experience.
• Provide advice and input through briefing notes, reports, and operational materials to support branch priorities.
• Act as a key technical resource to the team, supporting consistent interpretation of program requirements and decision-making on complex files.

 
This position requires a high level of independence, leadership, and sound judgment. Key challenges include:

• Balancing program integrity with strong client service in a fast-paced environment.
• Anticipating and responding to evolving communication and stakeholder needs.
• Interpreting program criteria and applying them consistently across various complex scenarios.
• Managing multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy, quality, and timelines.
• Identifying and advancing opportunities to improve program effectiveness, uptake, and reporting.

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
  • Takes a long-term view of how agri-environmental programs support both agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability.
  • Anticipates impacts and considers diverse stakeholder perspectives when developing approaches.
  • Looks for connections across programs, policies, and partners to support effective outcomes.

• Creative Problem Solving
  • Navigates and resolves applicant/stakeholder concerns while managing risks.
  • Identifies practical solutions to improve program delivery and stakeholder experience.

• Develop Networks
  • Builds and maintains strong relationships with internal teams and external stakeholders.
  • Seeks technical input and expertise to support well-informed decisions.
  • Works collaboratively across partners to support consistent delivery.

• Drive for Results
  • Takes ownership of work and follows through on commitments in a fast-paced environment.
  • Monitors program delivery and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Focuses on achieving outcomes that align with program objectives and broader government priorities.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirement:

• A bachelor’s degree in a related field such as Environmental Science/Studies, Agriculture, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Plus a minimum of 4 years of progressively responsible experience in grant program development, delivery, evaluation or a related area.

 
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.

 
Assets:

• Knowledge of agricultural practices and agri-environmental issues relevant to Alberta.
• Strong understanding of grant program development, delivery, and reporting, including the ability to interpret program criteria and provide clear, consistent guidance in complex or sensitive situations.
• Experience working with and advising diverse stakeholders, including producers, industry groups, and government partners.
• Experience supporting or leading outreach, communications, and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data and written material, and provide practical advice and recommendations to support program or operational decision-making.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

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 Details:

• Division/Branch: Primacy Agriculture.
• Office located in Edmonton J.G. O’Donoghue Building or Airdrie Regional Centre.
• Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week.
• Temporary salaried position ending March 31, 2028.
• Monday to Friday (08:15 am-16:30 pm).
• Travel: < 25% (Some travel within Alberta may be required.

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.
• This position may require a Class 5 Driver’s License.
• 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 - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• 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.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.