Recruitment posting
Workers' Compensation Board
Competition #: 791
Ministry : Jobs, Economy and Trade
Opening Date : 2023/11/15
closing Date : 2024/01/02
Role : Board 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 Jobs, Economy and Trade, is seeking applications from individuals interested in serving on WCB’s Board of Directors.
We are inviting applications or nominations, as appropriate, to fill four roles:
(1) Director representative of the interests of the general public;
(1) Director representative of the interests of employers; and
(2) Director representative of the interests of workers.
Through an Act of the Legislature, the Workers’ Compensation Act (WCA), WCB has overall responsibility for the administration of the Workers’ Compensation System in Alberta, and the delivery of workers’ compensation services to workers and employers of the province, subject only to statutory rights of review and appeal contained in the WCA. WCB was founded based upon the “Meredith Principles” including no-fault compensation, security of benefits, collective liability, independent administration, and exclusive jurisdiction.
The mandate of WCB is to operate Alberta’s Workers’ Compensation System, providing compensation to workers who suffer workplace injuries or illnesses, and help them recover and return to work. The health and well-being of injured workers is at the centre of the Workers’ Compensation System, and the system must be sustainable, affordable, and fair, in order to benefit workers now, and in the future.
WCB strives for fairness and transparency when making decisions that affect the nearly two million workers that are covered under Alberta’s Workers’ Compensation System, and the nearly 170,000 employers whose contributions fund worker benefits, return-to-work programs, and health care services.
WCB has a stakeholder Board of Directors that oversees the implementation of the Workers’ Compensation Act, including ensuring the sustainability of an $11 billion Accident Fund to cover long-term worker benefits.
The Board of Directors is responsible for the governance of WCB and the oversight of WCB’s management of its business and affairs. The Board of Directors guides WCB’s strategic direction, evaluates the performance of WCB’s President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and approves and monitors WCB’s corporate objectives, including administrative budget and financial results.
The Board of Directors is composed of seven members, each appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. It consists of the Chair, two members that are representative of the interests of workers, two that are representative of the interests of employers, and two that are representative of the interests of the public. The success of the Workers’ Compensation System requires a commitment by all parties to work collaboratively with each other.
WCB has strong governance and accountability processes to ensure Albertans are well served by the Workers’ Compensation System. The Board of Directors plays an important role in ensuring WCB’s accountability. The Board of Directors is accountable to the Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade. Related legislation includes the Workers’ Compensation Act, Freedom of Information and Privacy Protection Act, the Alberta Public Agencies Governance Act, the Government Organization Act and the Revised Statues of Alberta.
BOARD MEMBERS
The Board of Directors plays an important role in ensuring WCB-Alberta’s accountability. The Board is accountable to the Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade as defined in the Workers’ Compensation Act (WCA) and Corporate Governance Policy. In their governance role, members regularly review the strategic direction for the organization. Using their diverse areas of expertise, the Board of Directors ensures WCB-Alberta remains true to its mandate, and that the health of the system is protected for the long term. The Board of Directors shall operate in a manner consistent with the WCA and corporate governance principles.
Although Board Members are representative of the interests of workers, employers, and the general public, it is expected that, consistent with their fiduciary role, they set aside any allegiances to a particular group and strive to maintain the welfare, credibility and integrity of the workers’ compensation system at all times
Skills and experience:
- Worker health and wellness – an overall understanding o the health care industry, including an understanding of services, trends, challenges and opportunities within the health care system; experience or knowledge relating to serving vulnerable individuals (i.e., in the areas of physical, mental or financial health), either directly or indirectly.
- Benefit and assessment policy – a general awareness of the process to initiate, develop and change board policies with respect to Benefits and Employer Services, including high level knowledge of the Workers’ Compensation Act and the policy consultation process.
- Benefit costing and underwriting – an overall understanding of the insurance business model including the ability to analyze and interpret key concepts related to underwriting, liability valuations and accident fund management.
- Communication and stakeholder engagement – an overall understanding of the communities WCB serves, including the stakeholder landscape affecting the workers’ compensation system; experience communicating and fostering trusting relationships with stakeholders.
- Finance and risk management – an overall understanding of general accounting and financial principles, with the ability to read and analyze a financial statement, including income statement, balance sheet and accompanying notes.
- Investment governance and portfolio management – an overall understanding of institutional investment management principles with the ability to read and understand investment management reports; experience in overseeing and evaluating investment policy, strategy and performance.
- Governance – advanced comprehension of WCB-Alberta’s governance policies, including roles and responsibilities, operations, and communication.
- Human resources – working knowledge of human resource practices, including compensation, recruiting, retention, succession planning and training.
- Information technology – an overall understanding of how technology strategy aligns with business strategy; experience in overseeing technology investments and project performance.
BOARD MEMBERS
The Board of Directors is representative of the overall diversity of Alberta. Ideal candidates will bring a broad range of relevant experience, reflect the diversity of Albertans, and possess a demonstrated ability to make a significant contribution at the Board of Directors’ level across a wide variety of business, labour, financial and public policy issues. We are seeking Board Members who understand and demonstrate commitment to WCB’s Governance model. Previous board experience is an asset.
The Board Member appointments are made by Order in Council and are for a fixed term of up to three years, with the potential for reappointment for additional terms. The time commitment is anticipated to be approximately three to five days per month.
Members of the Board of Directors are compensated only for time spent on the business of the Board, at double the rate specified in Schedule 1, Part A of the Committee Remuneration Order (OC466/2007), effective April 1, 2009.
- A member of a committee, other than the chairman, shall be paid
(a) $164 for up to and including four hours in any day, or
(b) $290 for over four hours and up to and including eight hours in any day, or
(c) $427 for over eight hours in any day, spent on the business of the committee.
Honoraria is subject to review. Travelling expenses will be paid in accordance with WCB’s Travel, Accommodation, and Subsistence Guidelines.
Meetings are held at the head office in Edmonton, Alberta.
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.
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, 3rd Floor, Peace Hills Trust Tower, 10011 109 Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 3S8 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.