Recruitment posting
Real Estate Council of Alberta
Competition #: 703
Ministry : Service Alberta
Opening Date : 2020/07/27
closing Date : 2020/09/07
Role : Chair and Public Members
It is recognized in Alberta as a fundamental principle and as a matter of public policy that all persons are equal. Diversity and inclusion are valued and supported on the boards of Alberta's public agencies.
The Minister of Service Alberta is seeking applications from individuals interested in serving as Board of Directors Chair, Board of Directors Public Members and Industry Council Public Members of the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA).
The Real Estate Council of Alberta is an independent governing authority, responsible for setting, regulating and enforcing standards for real estate, mortgage broker, property management and condominium manager professionals under the Real Estate Act of Alberta. RECA administers the Act on behalf of the province of Alberta to protect consumers and enhance business of industry professionals.
The Purpose of RECA:
- to set the strategic direction and ensure the effective operation of the Council;
- to protect against, investigate, detect and suppress fraud as it relates to the business of licensees and to protect consumers;
- to provide, or support the provision of, services and other things that facilitate the business of licensees, as provided for in the regulations;
- to set and enforce standards of conduct for licensees and the business of licensees in order to protect consumers and promote the integrity of the industry, and
- to administer the Act, regulations, bylaws and rules.
The Real Estate Amendment Act 2020, restructured and refocused RECA on its mandate of licensing and regulating Alberta’s real estate sector. RECA has been restructured to consist of a Board of Directors responsible for strategic governance and four Industry Councils responsible for setting licensing standards.
The Board of Director consists of three Public Members and four Industry Members; one Public Member is designated as a Chair, and appointed by the Minister.
There are four Industry Councils:
- Residential Real Estate Agents and Brokers;
- Commercial Real Estate Agents and Brokers, and Commercial Property Managers;
- Mortgage Brokers; and
- Residential Property Managers and Condominium Managers.
Each Industry Council will consist of three Industry Members, elected by each council’s respective industry, as well as two Public Members appointed by the Minister.
RECA’s Board of Directors is responsible for setting the organization’s strategic direction and providing oversight of operations. Each Industry Council will have independent responsibility for the governance of their industry.
The Board of Directors accountabilities include:
- Strategy, logistics, and coordination;
- Overall strategic governance (setting vision, goals and objectives);
- Compliance with reporting and accountability requirements; and
- Oversight of administration and operations.
The Chair of the Board of Directors has all the responsibilities of a Member, and provides strategic direction in consultation with the Minister and is responsible for ensuring that RECA’s mandate is met within legislation.
Board of Directors Public Members play a role in providing the overall leadership and strategic direction for the Real Estate Council of Alberta including:
- Establishing the policies that guide RECA in the fulfillment of its mission;
- Approving the budget to ensure financial resources are allocated in a manner consistent with the business plan, goals, and priorities; and
- Monitoring the results that are achieved and evaluating RECA’s performance in relation to the strategic direction provided by Council.
Industry Councils serve as independent governing bodies under RECA, responsible for self-regulation of their industries, supported by RECA’s administration for licensing, enforcement, and secretariat resources.
Industry Councils are responsible for:
- Identifying and addressing emerging industry issues;
- Setting standards (rules) and determining licensing and education requirements; and
- Ensuring cross coordination with other Industry Councils for aligned and effective regulation.
Industry Council Public Members play a role in overseeing the regulation of a particular sector of the real estate industry, including:
- Setting and enforcing standards and rules for industry licensees;
- Determining licensing requirements; and
- Protecting consumers and promoting the integrity of the industry.
The Public Members are appointed for a term of up to three years and may be eligible for reappointment for a second term of up to three years. Terms will be staggered to support ongoing renewal while maintaining effective governance.
The ideal candidates will have demonstrated the following:
- Understanding the importance of teamwork to the success of an organization and the ability to inspire, motivate, and offer direction and leadership to others;
- Knowledge of regulatory principles, which may include interpreting and applying legislation, setting and enforcing standards of conduct; or an understanding of the legal dimensions of organizational issues;
- Working with board structure and/or governance processes;
- Experience and expertise in the development of policies, rules, and standards;
- Proven critical thinking, problem solving, strategic decision-making, policy analysis, and conflict resolution skills;
- Superior verbal and written communication skills, and can communicate expertise and shared vision to others accurately, concisely and effectively; and with tact and diplomacy;
- A strong desire to build productive relationships and support RECA’s regulatory work in a positive way; and
- A record of community involvement and/or volunteerism for charities, community support organizations, boards, councils, or similar organizations, particular in relation to consumer protection or the real estate industry is consider an asset.
We are also looking for one Member to sit as the Chair of the Board of Directors. In addition to all the skills and experience required of Members, the Chair will also demonstrate:
- Strategic leadership skills, able to lead, inspire, and motivate group of diverse professionals;
- A record of achievement as a senior leadership role or executive management in a complex organization;
- Previous governance or business leadership experience; and familiar with the function and responsibilities within a board/council structure.
The Government of Alberta is committed to offering qualified Albertans the opportunity to be considered as Public Members on Alberta’s public agencies, boards and commissions. To help ensure that Albertans are well represented on boards, we invite applicants from all backgrounds who embody a range of knowledge, skills and expertise to apply.
This is not a salaried position. In accordance with RECA’s honorarium policy, Members of Council receive honoraria for conducting Council business and attending authorized committee meetings.
The rates for Members other than the Chair are:
- $300 for up to and including four hours in any day, or
- $400 for over four hours and up to and including eight hours in any day.
The rates for the Chair are:
- $400 for up to and including four hours in any day, or
- $600 for over four hours and up to and including eight hours in any day.
Members including the Chair, are also entitled to be reimbursed for all necessary travel expenses. Public Members may claim for travel time on days other than meeting days.
The rates for Members other than the Chair are:
- $300 for up to and including four hours in any day, or
- $400 for over four hours and up to and including eight hours in any day.
The rates for the Chair are:
- $400 for up to and including four hours in any day, or
- $600 for over four hours and up to and including eight hours in any day.
The average time spent by a Council Public Member, including Council meetings, committees, conferences, and training, is 30 days per year or 2.5 days/month. The time commitment will vary, however, depending on Council responsibilities and availability to serve. Meetings will be held in person, or Members may participate via virtual meetings and/or conference call.
Applicants are asked to state their preferred position of interest (Board of Directors Chair; Public Member, Board of Directors; or Public Member, Industry Council) in their Cover Letter.
In addition to your cover letter and resume, we require a biography. Click HERE to download the biography form.
Once the forms are completed, save them to your PC. When you click on ‘submit application,’ you will be prompted to upload additional documents. Drag and drop or upload your completed biography form and others requested into the ‘Drop files below or click to upload’ section.
Please note: This ad will close on September 7, 2020 or until suitable candidates found.
Executive Search, Alberta Public Service Commission.
Phone: 780-408-8460
Carefully read the Recruitment Posting and the Position Profile to ensure this is an appropriate opportunity for you. Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements.
Online applications are preferred. To apply, click on the 'apply' button, create or sign into your account in the ePAAS system; upload your resume, view the listing under Current Opportunities and click on 'submit application'. The uploaded resume will be automatically attached.
Provide a short 4 line biography using the Biography template found under additional documents section. Your biography should include your name, current work experience, board/committee experience and relevant education. Please note that biographies may be edited for length and clarity.
Once your biography and other required form(s) are completed, save it to your PC. When you hit 'submit application', you will be prompted to upload additional documents. Drag and drop (or upload) your completed cover letter, biography and other form(s) into the 'Drop files below or click to upload' section before clicking the 'apply' button.
If you are unable to apply online, please submit a cover letter and resume, quoting the recruitment posting competition number, to the contact provided on the posting. We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to assess which candidates' qualifications most closely match the agency's requirements. Only those selected for interviews will be contacted to advance to the next step in the appointment process. You can check the status of each competition on-line at https://www.alberta.ca/public-agencies.cfm.
The personal information in ePAAS is collected pursuant to section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The information will be used to administer and manage recruitment for current and future public agency appointment opportunities. Questions regarding the collection, use, or disclosure of this information, may be directed to the Public Agency Secretariat, Public Service Commission, 12th Floor 44 Capital Boulevard, 10044 - 108 Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 3S7 or by calling 780-644-3060. Applicants will be required to identify any real or perceived conflicts of interest and may be required to undergo additional screening.
Please Note: Successful applicants will have the following information about them made publicly available on the Public Agency Secretariat Website: name, biography, public agency, and position title.