Job Description

Competition # : 36784

Department: Public Works

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: 10/6/2022 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

Building and maintaining our provincial infrastructure is no small job.

The Infrastructure Management Division at the Department of Public Works supports Nova Scotia's 2,400 buildings and infrastructure assets across a wide range of clients. We maintain and support various government buildings and assets, including museums, core buildings, office buildings, correctional facilities, and justice centers.

We are recruiting for a Senior Building Safety Specialist to champion and provide leadership to our Health Safety and Environment Programs.

About Our Opportunity

As the Senior Building Safety Specialist, you are pivotal in ensuring that Department HSE Programs and related information is consistently administrated across the Infrastructure Management Division of Public Works. You are a vital subject matter expert who provides guidance related to hundreds of worksites and project teams across the province.

Primary Accountabilities

You will oversee and assign operational and safety initiative tasks to multiple user groups throughout your area. As an integral part of the timely investigation of workplace incidents, you often act as the lead investigator to ensure that incidents are thoroughly investigated. We count on your expertise and guidance to reduce and prevent incidents and support an increasingly safe workplace for all Public Works employees.

You are a full-time prevention/education resource for the Department who conveys best practice safety information and regulatory interpretation to aid the continuous improvement of all employees' understanding of roles and responsibilities for safety in the workplace.

You will conduct occupational health, occupational safety, environmental technical, academic and statistical research which will help the department to shape its strategic and operational priorities and objectives. Furthermore, you will support senior management through this research, and provide recommendations for development and implementation of operational policies.

Qualifications and Experience

Bachelor's degree and five (5) years of related health and safety experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Completion of a two-year certificate or diploma program in Occupational Health and Safety from a recognized University or Community College is required.

Certification as a Red Seal Journeyperson would be considered as an asset.

You must have a valid driver's license and access to a reliable motor vehicle. Please include a copy of your current driver's abstract with your application.

As the ideal candidate you:

• are experienced in building construction projects and industrial operations;
• have an understanding of the application of pertinent Provincial and Federal OHS Legislation and regulations related to the industrial sector;
• have a strong understanding of National Building Codes, National Fire Codes, and other jurisdictional codes and standards;
• are competent in various building safety issues, including but not limited to confined space, hazardous materials, scaffolding and staging, and man lifts; and
• are highly competent in the use of personal computers, including word processing, spreadsheets, database management and electronic presentation software.

A related professional certificate such as a CRSP or internationally recognized and accepted HSE designation (i.e., NEBOSH) is considered an asset, as obtaining this level of certification/designation will be a requirement of the position within a specified timeframe. Experience in corporate communications, adult learning and development, and design and implementation of in person and e-learning education resources are desirable qualifications to be considered.

You demonstrate top notch conflict resolution and negotiation ability through successful mediation techniques. You remain professional and consistently maintain a courteous disposition when working with various staff and stakeholders. You are an effective communicator who analyzes and presents information in a clear, concise manner and provides vision to your team. Your excellent ability to multi-task and adapt in fast-paced environments with competing priorities and strict deadlines is essential. You bring energy to your role and strive to achieve efficiencies and embrace the Department's values in all aspects of your work.

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:

• Completion of a two-year certificate or diploma program in Occupational Health and Safety from a recognized University, or Community College as well as seven (7) years of direct experience in building construction projects and/or industrial operations.

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 may be required to work extended / flexible hours as emergency situations or incidents dictate.

This position is often exposed to various hazardous situations at various sites which may include office buildings, correctional facilities, highway garages, and construction sites. There are also mental pressures associated with this role including exposure to negative or adverse situations.

You must be capable of wearing various (including hot, restrictive and uncomfortable) personal protective devices depending on the location, incident or severity of risk from the visible and non-visible hazards.

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.
• Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• Countless Career Paths.

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.