Job Description

Competition # : 42494Department: Environment and Climate ChangeLocation: HALIFAXType of Employment: TermUnion Status: NSGEU - NSPGClosing Date: \xe2\x80\x8b18-Apr-24 \xe2\x80\x8b (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)About UsNova Scotia Environment and Climate Change\xe2\x80\x99s (ECC\xe2\x80\x99s) role is to protect the environment, human health and animal health through regulatory excellence, conservation, partnership and promotion. To achieve this, we strive to develop legislation, regulations and policies, process notifications, applications, and approvals for regulated activities based on sound scientific knowledge and expertise.Our goal is to educate, inspect and enforce to ensure compliance with legislation and regulations. We also proactively respond to environmental, conservation, animal, and human health risks and work to develop programs and deliver services to enhance protection in these areas.Primary AccountabilitiesReporting to the Manager, Protected Areas & Ecosystems, you will be responsible for providing leadership to the implementation of conservation programs focused on expanding the network of protected and conserved areas in Nova Scotia. With funding through the Canada \xe2\x80\x93 Nova Scotia Nature Agreement, the Department takes a multi-pronged approach to advancing protection of biodiversity.As a Senior Conservation Planner, you will provide strategic guidance and oversight to provincial conservation efforts by advancing Nova Scotia\xe2\x80\x99s Collaborative Protected Areas Strategy towards achieving the ambitious goal of protecting 20% of Nova Scotia\xe2\x80\x99s land and water mass. Key areas of focus may include designing and implementing processes for identifying and establishing new protected areas, facilitating the protection of private land, screening and applying the Pan-Canadian Standard on Protected Areas and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures, and supporting the Nova Scotia Mi\xe2\x80\x99kmaq in advancing Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas.You will work in a team environment with staff from multiple provincial departments, municipalities, Nova Scotia Mi\xe2\x80\x99kmaq representatives, land trust partners, as well as contractors and conservation groups. You may also interact with industry and non-government partners, community groups, conservation and recreation organizations, and others to advance project goals.Additionally, you will be involved in stakeholder and public partnerships and consultations, developing public communication materials, preparing reports and materials to support decision making. You may also be involved in policy development and process facilitation as required.Qualifications and ExperienceBachelor\xe2\x80\x99s degree in Planning or a related areas of concentration (protected areas planning, environmental planning, conservation biology, outdoor recreation) and at least 6 years related experience, or a Master\xe2\x80\x99s degree in Planning related areas and at least 4 years related experience is requiredCandidates must have demonstrated experience in a related field such as land conservation or management, land use planning or protected areas planning, and have a practical understanding of current issues and best practice approaches in protected areas planning and management.Candidates must have superior written and verbal communication, demonstrated project management experience and partnership building skills. The successful candidate needs to be self-directed, have excellent problem solving and organizational skills, and have the sound judgement and critical thinking skills that are necessary to resolve complex and sensitive issues. Strong field competencies such as ecological/recreation inventories, remote first aid, navigation, and wilderness travel are essential. Experience in public land use planning, policy development, public consultation, and facilitation is an asset.The candidate must be proficient with computer word processing, graphic presentation, and spreadsheet software. General familiarity with the application of GIS to planning is required, and advanced knowledge and capability with ESRI GIS software is considered an asset.Knowledge of provincial and federal legislation, regulations, policies, and programs relevant to land management in Nova Scotia is essential. Ability and willingness to travel throughout Nova Scotia and work irregular hours when deemed necessary.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.BenefitsBased on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a , Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: .Additional InformationThis is term position with an anticipated end date of March 31, 2026What 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 17Salary Range: $3,107.16 - $3,649.33 Bi-WeeklyEmployment 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