Job Description

Competition # : 37123

Department: Public Works

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

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

About Us

Building and maintaining our provincial infrastructure is no small job.

At the Department of Public Works (DPW), we manage 23,000 kilometers of roads and highways and 4,100 bridges across Nova Scotia as well as 2,400 buildings.

In the Policy and Planning Division at DPW, we are responsible for policy related to all modes of transportation, including air, marine, rail and road, as well as the Registry of Motor Vehicles, road safety and other divisions within the department. We also support public infrastructure projects and community and active transportation - connecting people and their communities.

We're seeking an individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is keen to contribute innovative ideas.

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Manager of Policy, as the Senior Policy Advisor you will work closely with a high-performing team to provide expert research, analysis, and strategic advice to support informed decision-making on the Department's priorities.

Primary Accountabilities

In this role, you will:

• Conduct comprehensive research, analysis, measurement, and evaluation of complex policy issues to provide strategic advice to senior leadership. This includes preparing background papers, briefing notes, policy analyses, decision requests, and Cabinet submissions.
• Develop, formulate, and administer departmental policy, including recommendations for policies, legislative and regulatory changes, consultations, and compliance. Conduct policy reviews on key departmental issues and involve multiple stakeholders from professional, multi-disciplinary, consumer or business environments.
• Initiate, plan, develop, and manage a wide range of policy projects/initiatives for the department's broader legislative, regulatory, and program frameworks.
• Prepare and navigate timely information flow, support and advice in support of departmental priorities as determined by the Senior Leadership Team, Deputy and Minister of Public Works.
• Participate in and communicate provincial priorities in interdepartmental and federal, provincial, territorial meetings, working groups and committees.
• Consult with key stakeholder groups to ensure sound policy development and alignment of departmental priorities with government objectives and commitments.
• Develop and participate in briefings and presentations to support senior leadership as required.

Qualifications and Experience

As the Senior Policy Advisor, you will hold a bachelor's degree plus six (6) years of progressive experience in the design and development of policies and/or programs.

Experience in developing and analyzing policy with the ability to interpret data in a meaningful way is required for this position. Strong research with the ability to evaluate complex policies are essential skills for this role.

You have an excellent grasp of policy and planning methodology, systems and processes of decision-making in a government environment. You have the ability to apply this knowledge to complex and broadly-connected regulatory and/or social policy issues.

In addition to the above, you are a highly organized individual who is focused on continuously improving quality and has a solution-focused approach. You are responsive and able to prioritize a high volume of competing and sometimes rapid requests. You are an excellent relationship builder, a self-starter with the ability to initiate tasks with little supervision and possess great organization skills.

As a skilled communicator, you possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.

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. Equivalencies may include, but are not limited to:

• A completed Master's degree and 4 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 time is spent in a comfortable office setting. You will have daily contact with various internal and external stakeholders. The scope of this role requires strong abilities in multi-tasking, balancing multiple priorities, meeting frequent deadlines, and making time sensitive recommendations.

• Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day
• May be required to work overtime on occasion

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
• Department specific flexible working schedules

Pay Grade: PR 17

Salary Range: $3,001.65 - $3,525.41 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.