Job Description

Competition # : 37097

Department: Municipal Affairs and Housing

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: 11/7/2022 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing is the primary housing delivery agency in Nova Scotia. The Department is also responsible for ensuring the availability of safe, suitable, and affordable housing for all Nova Scotians. Our work involves making strategic investments, leveraging new funding, and building on critical partnerships to help further position ourselves to meet current and future housing challenges.

About Our Opportunity

Under the general supervision of the Program Manager, Rent Supplement, the Housing Supplement Program Specialist is responsible for the administration of rent supplement/housing benefit programs and other duties assigned by the Manager.

Primary Accountabilities

• Plans, develops, evaluates, promotes, and monitors new Housing supplement initiatives. Promotes and develops initiatives and programs using current and emerging technology.
• Manages day-to-day relationships with clients, contract service providers, and team while working within an established contract management plan.
• Analyses and provides program recommendations through reports and advice to management and develops program plans, updates program(s) and provides program evaluation.
• Provides contract management, communications, and implementation of initiatives and programs.
• Advises and mediates complaints, responds to, and may be involved with investigations (inspects and monitors programs enforcement which may include site visits). Identifies needs and responds to questions and concerns from key stakeholders and program users.
• Supports senior colleagues in the development of internal and external communications.
• If applicable, monitors budgets and forecasts through timely and effective coordination and analysis of operating expenditures to produce financial reports.
• Ensures all relevant information is conveyed to clients and landlords by overseeing correspondence to clients regarding subsidy/benefit calculations, or adjustments and landlord approved rent increases.

Qualifications and Experience

This may be the right opportunity for you if you have a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Commerce, Finance, Accounting or a related field with 5 years of related experience. You have experience in finance and housing program and policy development and project management and implementation skills.

You have strong communication and interpersonal skills and a proven track record of leading effective teams and managing change and innovation and effectively solving problems. You think strategically and make decisions by connecting with stakeholders (both internally and externally) using strategic and tactical approaches. Knowledge of appropriate software including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Adobe Acrobat is required.

You have experience working with, and understand the needs of, various communities (e.g., African Nova Scotian, Persons with Disabilities, Youth, Older Worker, Indigenous, Francophone, Newcomers and Immigrants) that are part of the Housing market. You can establish strong relationships with senior representatives of non-governmental and governmental organizations (both internally and externally) and have a solid understanding of client service.

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

An equivalent combination of training, education and experience will be considered. Related equivalencies may include, but are not limited to:

• A related master's degree and three (3) years of related experience
• A diploma in a related discipline and seven (7) 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

Most of your work is in a comfortable office environment. You may be required to travel to sites on occasion. There is a need for you to balance competing priorities and meet strict deadlines.

Additional Information

This position requires the successful candidate to work on-site.

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
• An engaged workplace where we foster respect and recognition.
• Forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• Countless Career Paths.
• Department Specific Flexible working schedules.

Pay Grade: PR 13

Salary Range: $2,469.30 - $3,001.65 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.