Job Description

Competition # : 41080

Department: Community Services

Location: DARTMOUTH

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: \xe2\x80\x8b06-Dec-23 \xe2\x80\x8b (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

At the , we are a large and diverse department providing a broad portfolio of programs and services including Child and Family Wellbeing (CFW), Employment Support Services(ESS), Income Assistance (IA), Homelessness and Supportive Housing, and Disability Support Program(DSP).

Through our services, we advocate and help vulnerable Nova Scotians be independent, self-reliant, and secure. We work collaboratively across the province with a strong dedicated network of supports and staff, to achieve desired and shared outcomes for all.

About Our Opportunity

The Eligibility Review Officer provides a wide variety of revenue recovery and cost containment services to Employment Support and Income Assistance (ESIA) programs.

You are responsible to ensure that accurate benefits are provided to eligible participants, monitoring maintenance agreements, and for investigating files as required. In this role, you will work with complex, sensitive, and financial information and may make recommendations or decisions regarding court actions.

Primary Accountabilities

You have the important responsibility to review and assess clients accessing our services, ensuring they meet the requirements for and/or eligibility for program participation. You will support this work by:

• Reviewing participants for program eligibility while also ensuring accuracy of report and file completeness.
• Assessing and gathering documentation to determine and support eligibility for the program, and benefit amounts.
• Providing conciliation and negotiation services in the determination and frequency of payments.
• Preparing documentation and reports for occurrences of unreported or incorrectly reported income.

You may be required to represent the department in court proceedings and/or appeal board hearings. You will work closely and collaboratively with other Departments, court offices, and the legal community.

Qualifications and Experience

You have completed your bachelor\xe2\x80\x99s degree in a related field and have five (5) years of related experience in policy/program planning and development. Previous experience with Employment Support and Income Assistance, as well as knowledge of services and programs offered by the Department and other community agencies are highly desirable.

You will travel regularly, requiring a valid driver\xe2\x80\x99s license and access to reliable transportation.

You must demonstrate thorough knowledge of the justice system, and Family Maintenance and Maintenance Enforcement Acts. Effective communication skills (both verbal and written) are essential to your success, including your strong report writing and ability to analyze data from multiple sources to draw appropriate conclusions and make suitable recommendations. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook is required.

Further to your strong analytical nature, you are familiar with labour market trends, poverty and un/underemployment of individuals facing systemic barriers, mental health, addictions, and other issues that prevent sustained employment and income. You have a strong nature for multi-tasking, are task oriented, and able to work efficiently and effectively in a workplace environment that is constantly dealing with time pressures and conflicting pressures.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

We recognize equivalent combinations of training, education, and experience, providing opportunities for individuals with diverse backgrounds to contribute their skills and expertise. Equivalencies include, but are not limited to:

• A related master\xe2\x80\x99s degree and three (3) years of related experience

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Pension, General Illness (Short and Long Term), Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. Click to learn more about our various benefits offerings and eligibility criteria.

Working Conditions

You will work in a comfortable office setting with regular travel throughout the province as required. You will have daily contact with various Department staff, other government Departments as well as other local Agencies. At times, you will have to manage conflict situations with clients who may be experiencing frustration.

Your normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day.

Additional Information

Two (2) opportunities are available. One (1) permanent and the other Temporary with an anticipated end date of March 31, 2024. The appointment status (\xe2\x80\x98term\xe2\x80\x99, \xe2\x80\x98temporary\xe2\x80\x99 or \xe2\x80\x98casual\xe2\x80\x99) is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
• Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• Countless career paths.
• Department Specific Flexible working schedules.

Pay Grade: PR 13

Salary Range: $2,543.38 - $3,091.70 Bi-Weekly

Employment Equity Statement:

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.

This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If applying from outside a government office, employees must apply correctly via this link:

Failure to apply correctly means that your application will not be given first consideration as a bargaining unit applicant, and will only be included if external applications are pursued.

External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service bargaining unit candidates. PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to Competitions@novascotia.ca.

Government of Nova Scotia