Job Description

Competition # : 41339

Department: Agriculture

Location: BIBLE HILL

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: 12-Jan-24 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

At the Department of Agriculture, our vision is to create a Nova Scotia agriculture and agri-food industry that is diversified, market-focused and profitable. We work to support the development of competitive, sustainable and profitable agriculture and agri-business industries that contribute to the economic, environmental and social prosperity of Nova Scotia.

Agriculture and Fisheries Crown Lending Agencies (CLA) is a division of the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and administers the operational functions of the Nova Scotia Fisheries and Aquaculture Loan Board (NSFALB), Nova Scotia Timber Loan Board (NSTLB), and the Nova Scotia Farm Loan Board (NSFLB). Crown Lending Agencies consists of a dedicated team of loan officers and loan administrators supported by risk management and finance teams.

About Our Opportunity

The Loan Officer I-II is responsible for the delivery of programs and services administered by Crown Lending Agencies, with a focus on services delivered by the Nova Scotia Farm Loan Board, including programs and services that have an emphasis on value-add, processing, and sector development.

The position is based in the Bible Hill main office of the Crown Lending Agencies, however; with the approval of the Hiring Manager, the successful candidate may be eligible to work primarily from a Department of Agriculture worksite other than Bible Hill, potential options may include Cumberland County, Antigonish County and Cape Breton Island. The incumbent will serve the entirety of the Province and provide operational support to the broader lending team. The incumbent will be required to travel across Nova Scotia to meet clients at their respective place of business, in their community, and at the various Department of Agriculture regional offices.

Primary Accountabilities

As a Loan Officer I-II, your key responsibilities will include, however; not are not limited to:

• Providing financial and management counseling to Nova Scotia\xe2\x80\x99s resource sector businesses \xe2\x80\x93 farm, agri-food, timber, fisheries, and aquaculture;
• Evaluating business proposals and loan requests in all sectors served by CLA; in accordance with established legislation, policies, procedures and accepted best practices in loans management and providing management and the Board(s) with written and verbal assessments and recommendations of each business program for which funds are requested;
• Applying accepted appraisal methods in determining the security base of the proposals;
• Liaising with the resource business community and the general public for effective implementation of the Crown Lending\xe2\x80\x99s credit programs and contributing to portfolio growth and development;
• Collaborating with staff to ensure efficient and effective loan processes; and
• General administration of the Boards\xe2\x80\x99 loan accounts.

Qualifications and Experience

A Bachelors of Commerce Degree, with a major in agriculture economics, business, finance, accounting or related field plus 3 years related experience in primary industry lending or an acceptable equivalent.

An AACI designation or course work leading to the accredited appraiser designation would be definite asset.

As the successful candidate, you will have strong interpersonal, time management and written and verbal communication skills. You excel at financial analysis and have an understanding of and the ability to work closely with all sectors of Nova Scotia\xe2\x80\x99s agricultural industry as well as a good working knowledge of the more common computer programs including Microsoft Office word processing, spreadsheets and databases.

Equivalency

An equivalent combination of training, education and experience will be considered. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Equivalent experience and training includes, however; is not limited to:

• Minimum 7 years of related lending or finance experience

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 offering and eligibility criteria.

Addtional 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 or will result in termination of your employment.

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 08 - PR 13

Salary Range: $2,074.62 - $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