Job Description

Competition # : 37140

Department: Environment and Climate Change

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: 11/9/2022 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change's role is to protect the environment, human health and farm animal through regulatory excellence, conservation, partnership, and promotion.

The climate change division coordinates provincial action on greenhouse gas emission reductions and adaptation to climate change. The division focuses on the development and implementation of programs, policies and regulations related to carbon pricing and greenhouse gas emission reductions that support Nova Scotia in achieving its climate change emission reduction targets. As well, the team is responsible for managing and distributing proceeds from Nova Scotia's Green Fund which is used to support climate change initiatives. The division also supports provincial departments, industries, and communities to prepare for the impacts of climate change and develop multi-stakeholder responses to high-priority climate risks.

About Our Opportunity

The Program Strategist works with a team of professionals to implement provincial commitments on Nova Scotia's carbon pricing program and other climate change mitigation actions. Reporting to the Manager of the Climate Change Mitigation team, the Program Strategist is responsible for developing and implementing programs, policies and regulations related to Nova Scotia's carbon pricing program and climate change mitigation goals.

Primary Accountabilities

The Program Strategist will also monitor trends of related provincial, territorial, and federal climate change mitigation policies and funding programs to identify interrelationships, opportunities, and challenges. They will work to maximize the benefits to Nova Scotians by seeking out partnerships, leveraging contributions and ensuring lasting impact. They will make recommendations while considering the wide scope of issues including environmental, social, and economic impacts, innovative opportunities, and national and international trends.

They will build collaborative networks with stakeholders to advance provincial climate change goals. They will provide support for interdepartmental, divisional, and regional projects and may be asked to represent the Province and Department on intra- and inter-provincial committees and at regional, national, and international meetings. They may be called upon to apply for external funding and will be regularly called upon to advise senior executives, provincial, municipal, and federal government departments, communities, and industry.

Qualifications and Experience

A Bachelor's degree in Environmental Sciences, Economics, Business, Climatology, Public Policy or other relevant post-secondary concentration plus 5 years related experience is required. An Economics, MPA or law degree will be considered an asset.

Demonstrated experience in research, planning, project management, critical thinking and analysis are required. A strong understanding of how regulations, policies, and programs may affect industry, NGO's, and communities is required. Demonstrated experience in economic analysis, analysis of large datasets, and/or analysis of the impacts programs and policy is required. The ability to apply theory and best practice to identify creative, practical, and defensible approaches to overcome challenges is required as is the ability to recognize and articulate appropriate approaches to program issues and opportunities.

Experience drafting regulations and legislation will be considered an asset. Experience in the field of carbon pricing and climate change policy will be considered an asset. Demonstrated understanding of climate science, greenhouse gas accounting and quantification, reporting, and verification, and industrial processes will be considered an asset. Experience in the field of energy policy would be considered an asset.

In addition to knowledge and skills, the incumbent must have demonstrated experience with and a proven track record in effectively engaging and building alliances with stakeholders who hold disparate views on contentious issues. Experience building, empowering and leading multi-disciplinary, interdepartmental and/ or interdivisional problem-solving teams is required.

Excellent verbal and written communication and persuasion skills are required. The willingness and ability to share data, ideas and experiences with colleagues that may assist with policy planning or partnership building is a strong asset, as is the ability and desire to forge strong relationships of trust and collaboration across all levels of government and all sectors.

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 include, but are not limited to:

• Minimum 10 years of related experience in Environmental Sciences, Economics, Business, Climatology and/or Public Policy

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.

Working Conditions

Some travel may be required but most of the work can be completed remotely.

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: $2,469.30 - $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.