Officer, Access and Privacy

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo•Fort McMurray, AB

9d•CA$117,668 - CA$124,392•Onsite

About The Position

The Legal Services department at the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo plays a vital role in supporting Council, administration, and municipal operations with sound legal advice and representation. From drafting and reviewing bylaws, contracts, and agreements to managing litigation and ensuring compliance with legislation, the team helps safeguard the Municipality’s interests while enabling effective decision-making. With a focus on professionalism, collaboration, and integrity, Legal Services contributes to the success of projects and services that impact the entire region. If you are driven to apply your expertise in a dynamic municipal environment, this is where your work helps shape a resilient and sustainable future for our community. Reporting to the Manager, Legal Services, the Officer, Access and Privacy is delegated by the Chief Administrative Officer to carry out the duties identified in both Alberta’s Access to Information Act (ATIA) and the Protection of Privacy Act (POPA). Exercising delegated duties as Head of the Public Body as outlined in the ATIA and POPA, the incumbent conducts privacy impact assessments and provides expert advice and guidance. The incumbent is also responsible for completing access to information requests within legislated timelines as well as taking a proactive approach to developing and maintaining effective working relationships with all levels of management and other individuals. Assigned to a specific focus of legislation, the Officer, Access and Privacy will primarily support either ATIA or POPA needs, however will be responsible for overall branch support as required to ensure service delivery.

Requirements

Clear understanding and extensive working knowledge of Alberta's ATIA and POPA regulations.
Ability to interpret legislation and use sound judgement and discretion in applying legislation in a municipal environment.
Ability to deal with sensitive matters and maintain confidentiality.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear and concise documents and provide clarity on the interpretation and application of Alberta’s ATIA and POPA.
Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships that foster trust, confidence, credibility, and rapport.
Strong project management skills with the ability to lead initiatives, chair meetings, and drive project progress.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to navigate through situations involving change, shifting priorities, and simultaneous demands within strictly regulated legislative deadlines.
Ability to act with sensitivity to the unique challenges of working in a public and political environment.
Excellent problem solving, research, facilitation, and investigation skills.
Excellent records management skills with a sound understanding of standards, processes, and terminology.
Proficiency in using Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook), Adobe Acrobat, and redaction software.
Degree in Business or Public Administration, Legal Studies, Information and Records Management, or other related discipline.
Completion of the Government of Alberta’s FOIP Act training or an acceptable alternative.
Completion of the University of Alberta's Information Access and Protection of Privacy (IAPP) certificate program or an acceptable alternative.
Five (5) years of progressive experience in the field of information access and protection of privacy.
Submission of a Criminal Record Check.
Scheduling flexibility is required to ensure compliance with legislated deadlines associated with FOIP requests.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a public sector environment with unionized and non-unionized employees considered an asset.
Proficiency in using enterprise information management software, such as SharePoint and OpenText, is an asset.

Responsibilities

Assists manager with direct involvement in daily branch operations.
Manages overall administration of the Access and/or Privacy programs and delegates tasks to the Advisor and Assistant, Access and Privacy as appropriate.
Implements standards to ensure responses to requests are accurate, consistent, and compliant with legislation.
Develops and regularly evaluates policies and procedures related to accessing information and protecting privacy to ensure accuracy.
Maintains current knowledge of industry trends, emerging practices, and legislative developments through ongoing professional development, research, and participation in relevant professional networks.
Monitors relevant legal precedents and Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) orders and decisions.
Prepares monthly reports.
Prepares and submits annual statistics to the OIPC.
Serves as the Municipality’s official liaison with the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner.
Develops and implements innovative and practical approaches to ensure that the Municipality is fully compliant with ATIA and POPA.
Receives and reviews formal access to information requests and correction of personal information requests for completeness, communicates with applicants, engages internal staff and third parties, annotates and prepares records for review by the Chief Administrative Officer, and discloses records to the applicant.
Conducts privacy impact assessments for municipal departments and projects that collect, use, or disclose personal information.
Conducts or participates in investigations of reported breaches to ATIA and POPA within the Municipality.
Reports on privacy breaches and develops privacy breach mitigation and response plans as required.
Advises on the proper collection, security, use, disclosure, and retention of personal information.
Liaises with the OIPC on all matters related to access to information or protection of privacy, including, but not limited to timeline extensions, OIPC orders, review of decisions, privacy breaches, and clarification of requirements.
Provides technical and functional guidance to senior leaders and departments for complex and sensitive issues related to access to information and protection of privacy in a municipal environment.
Provides expert advice in a wide range of situations, including responses to privacy breaches, development of ATIA and POPA statements and privacy plans, preparation of redacted reports for senior leadership and Council, and privacy assessments during project planning.
Leads innovative and practical approaches to support and encourage expansion of the ATIA and POPA Programs, with a focus on legislative compliance, risk mitigation, and adherence to best practices.
Develops and delivers Access to Information and Protection of Privacy training for employees and departments, as required.