Job Description

Competition # : 40889

Department: Community Services

Location: AMHERST

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: 13-Nov-23 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

At the , we are a large and diverse department providing a broad portfolio of programs and services including Child and Family Wellbeing (CFW), Employment Support Services(ESS), Income Assistance (IA), Homelessness and Supportive Housing, and Disability Support Program(DSP).

Through our services, we advocate and help vulnerable Nova Scotians be independent, self-reliant, and secure. We work collaboratively across the province with a strong dedicated network of supports and staff, to achieve desired and shared outcomes for all.

About Our Opportunity

Are you seeking a career where you have endless opportunity to positively impact the lives of vulnerable children and families?

Have you always wanted to build everlasting relationships within your community, and work in an environment where you are supported to be creative, challenged, and where you have access to continued professional and personal growth and learning?

At the Department of Community Services, we are hiring Social Workers across Nova Scotia. As a Social Worker, you will join an interdisciplinary team who work together to assist children, families, and their communities in fulfilling their potential. You will have an opportunity to help someone be heard for the first time and bring about change in a positive way. We\'re here to support our Nova Scotians, and we offer our employees the opportunity to utilize and expand on their full range of skills in a rewarding, dynamic environment.

Notice to Pending Social Work Graduates: If you are a few months from graduation of your BSW/MSW program, you are encouraged to apply.

Primary Accountabilities

Social Workers ensure the health, safety, and well-being of children in the care of the Minister and those who remain in the care of their parents where concerns exist about their health and safety. Daily, you actively work to engage people and communities to build resilience, address challenges and trauma, and create change. Every day is different, and you will encounter unique challenges with responsibilities ranging from:

• Assessing child protection concerns and working with families and communities to address them
• Counselling individuals and families
• Planning and developing case plans with families
• Working closely with community and advocating for connections to community resources
• Participating in risk assessments, court testimonies, and evaluations
• Planning with and supervising children in care of the Minister
• Recruiting, preparing, assessing, and supporting foster and adoptive parents

Qualifications and Experience

A completed Bachelor of Social Work or Master of Social Work is required as well as a valid drivers license. You must be eligible for registration with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW).

You are also:

• A strong team player
• Empowered to impact change
• Compassionate, reliable, and resourceful.

You are understanding of child development, family dynamics, trauma-informed care, counselling, community resources, and are well versed in effective intervention strategies. Your problem-solving skills and experience, combined with your creative thinking, work to strengthen, and improve support while working with children and families.

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.

Working Conditions

Most of your work involves meeting with clients in their homes or with service providers. This necessitates considerable driving time, sometimes in adverse weather conditions. While present in the office, your time is spent a comfortable office environment with the possibility of flexible working options available.

On a rotating schedule, you may be required to provide child and family well being services for your designated area, after regular business hours. This will include working on weekends and reporting to the provincial after-hours response team. You may be required to work beyond regular business hours on short notice.

Your personal resiliency is essential to meet the physical and emotional demands of this position. You will be immersed in high stress and crisis situations, with plenty of support and resources accessible to you. You must be able to work under pressure and be personally and professionally committed to working with culturally diverse individuals in an inclusive manner.

What We Offer

• Reimbursement for registration fees to the NS College of Social Workers.
• Flexible working arrangements including modified work weeks
• Out of province applicants may be eligible to apply for moving expenses.
• Ability to earn overtime and shift premiums for weekend and after hours work.
• Career possibilities, guidance and coaching, and ongoing training.
• Rewarding and versatile work where you will see the immediate impacts you make, in and around your communities.

Based on the employment status, we also offer a wide range of benefits such as:

• Employee and Family Assistance Programs (EFAP)
• Travel and car allowance.
• Three (3) weeks vacation to start, and annual pay progression.
• Health, Dental, and Life Insurance. Pension. General Illness (Short and Long Term).

Click to learn more about our various benefits offerings and eligibility criteria.

Pay Grade: PR 09 - PR 15

Salary Range: $2,162.96 - $3,348.16 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.

Government of Nova Scotia