Job Description

Competition # : 38432

Department: Labour, Skills and Immigration

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Term

Union Status: Exclusion - Non Union - NSPG

Closing Date: 4/13/2023 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration works to provide fairness, safety and prosperity for all Nova Scotians by helping them live, learn and work to their highest potential. We have a staff of more than 500 employees working from offices throughout Nova Scotia. Together we are responsible for workplace safety, fire safety, pensions, apprenticeship, adult education, and many other facets of everyday life.

About Our Opportunity

At the Safety Branch of the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration, we are responsible for delivering effective and efficient regulatory management for the safety of workplaces, technical devices and the public through policy, education, outreach, inspection, compliance, enforcement, equipment registration, permits, and licenses. The Occupational Health and Safety division of the branch is responsible for safety of workplaces that fall under provincial jurisdiction in Nova Scotia. The Technical Safety division is responsible for administering acts and regulations that govern public and mechanical safety, addressing equipment such as boilers and pressure vessels, elevators, amusement devices, fuel safety and electrical safety.

Do you want to have influence on policy development that improves safety in the province? Then this position is for you. In this role, you will be working with subject matter experts (i.e., engineers, scientists, front line inspectors, etc.) to amend policies, regulations and acts related to safety. You will be called upon to lead from start to finish a variety of complex policy projects. You will make effective recommendations with a focus on strategic decision-making. You will have impact as you develop legislative, regulatory, policy, and process initiatives that enhance occupational and technical safety in the province.

Primary Accountabilities

Some of the key accountabilities for this position are:

• Conducts comprehensive research, analysis, measurement and evaluation of complex policy issues to provide strategic advice to senior leadership. This involves expert knowledge of research methods, coordination of multi-disciplinary teams to develop and/or review a wide range of deliverables, including reports, presentations, briefing notes, submissions, and other materials.
• Develops, formulates, and administers departmental policy, including recommendations for policies, legislative and regulatory changes, consultations, and compliance. Conducts policy reviews on key departmental issues and involve multiple stakeholders from professional, multi-disciplinary, consumer or business environments.
• Prepares complex submissions to Executive Council and Finance and Treasury Board (e.g. memorandums to Executive Council, Reports and Recommendations to Executive Council, Requests for Legislation, presentations to Issues Committee), related to occupational and technical safety. Consults with key stakeholder groups to ensure sound policy development and alignment of departmental priorities with government objectives and commitments. Develops and participates in briefings and presentations to support senior leadership, as required.
• Initiates, plans, develops, and manages a wide range of policy projects/initiatives for the department\'s broader legislative, regulatory, and program frameworks.
• Provides leadership within the division in the development of long-term strategic plans to address critical issues and contributes to the planning of the branch\'s legislative agenda by promoting broad dialogue among stakeholders, undertaking environmental scanning to identify emerging trends, researching best practices, and promoting involvement by staff at all levels of the division in identification of strategies to ensure departmental goals are realized.
• Provides policy advice and prepares briefing materials for the Minister, Deputy Minister and Premier. Collaborates with management and staff to ensure comprehensive and timely responses to requests for input into Department and Government-wide initiatives.
• May represent the department on provincial and national working groups and/or committees in support of departmental goals and objectives

Qualifications and Experience

This may be the right opportunity for you if you have a bachelor\'s degree in a related area or discipline plus six years\' related experience, or a master\'s degree plus four years\' experience. An acceptable level of equivalent or relevant experience may be considered. As the successful candidate, you will have experience in policy development & analysis and demonstrate initiative as well as the ability to manage and conduct complex and specialized research and policy analysis. Demonstrated ability to undertake complex assignments without supervision, superior writing skills with proven experience in report and publication writing, including graphic representation of data, and preparation of briefing materials is required. Demonstrated research experience, policy and/or system planning analysis, excellent organizational skills, and ability to work independently.

You have strong interpersonal & communication skills, partnering & relationship building skills, organization skills with excellent attention to detail. The nature of the position requires the ability to exercise sound judgement, make reasoned decisions within strict deadlines, and prioritize competing tasks and thrive in an environment which requires taking initiative and being outcome focused. Knowledge of and/or experience within the provincial legislative and regulator environment related to occupational health and technical safety is an asset. 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. 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.

Additional Information

This is a 1 year Term employment opportunity from the date of appointment. The appointment status (\'term\', \'temporary\' or \'casual\') is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.

This position will be based in Halifax with a hybrid work arrangement.

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: EC 11

Salary Range: $3,238.10 - $4,047.67 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.

Current government employees may access this posting through the link below:

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