Job Description

Competition # : 40133

Department: Community Services

Location: Sydney, North Sydney, Glace Bay, and Port Hawkesbury

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: 08-Sep-23 (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 Caseworker assesses the eligibility of individuals who need financial assistance and/or support, to determine initial and ongoing eligibility. In addition, the Caseworker provides employment support services to assist Income Assistance recipients and persons with disabilities to obtain financial independence for themselves and their families.

This Hiring Pool will be used to fill Permanent, Term, and Temporary opportunities over the next several months. Positions may be located in either Sydney, North Sydney, Glace Bay, or Port Hawkesbury. You can explore our office locations .

Primary Accountabilities

As the Caseworker, you will deliver the continuum of employment support services and income assistance enhancement activities for clients such as:

• employability assessments, counseling/case management;
• workshop facilitation, job development/job search services, and referrals;
• intakes, assessments, records maintenance;
• general and/or specialized case management, consultation; and
• communication of outcomes to applicants, and referrals to appropriate programs and community resources.

In a team environment, you work collaboratively with colleagues, community, and clients to mobilize the client\xe2\x80\x99s personal resources toward self-sufficiency, using appropriate supporting interventions. You will also facilitate access to training, along with the development of training/workshops with external service providers; all of which enable the movement of clients into employment.

Qualifications and Experience

You have completed a related Bachelor\xe2\x80\x99s degree in Social Sciences.

As our next Caseworker, you have excellent interviewing, communication (written/verbal), planning/organizational, team building, and crisis intervention skills. You understand budgetary and case management concepts, and demonstrate initiative, sound judgment, and sensitivity to the impact of culture, socioeconomic status, gender, age, and sexual orientation on client experience. You must be able to meet deadlines and deal effectively with difficult situations.

Working knowledge and experience in the application of Employment Support and Income Assistance (ESIA) policy/legislation, Occupational Health and Safety responsibilities, as well as related programs of the Department, will be considered assets.

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. Related equivalencies may include, but are not limited to:

• A completed related 2-year diploma along with two (2) years of related experience;
• Four (4) 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

Some travel may be necessary.

This role is primarily based in an office environment where you may be working at your computer for extended periods of time. You must be able to work efficiently and effectively in a workplace environment that is constantly dealing with time pressures and caseload demands.

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 04 - PR 11

Salary Range: $1,764.93 - $2,852.85 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