Employment Support Services Program Admin Officer (Program Admin Officer 3)

Department: Community Services

Location: Flexible

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: 7/5/2022 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

At the Department of Community Services (DCS), we are a large and diverse department providing a broad portfolio of programs and services including Child Youth and Family Support (CYFS), Employment Support (ESS), Income Assistance (IA), Homelessness and Supportive Housing, and Disability Support (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

The Program Administration Officer, Employment Support Services (ESS) is a critical team resource in the development, implementation, coordination, tracking and monitoring of policies, pilot projects and programs which support employment programming for groups such as individuals and their family who are recipients of income assistance, people of diverse equity groups and at-risk youth demographic.

You directly contribute to, and make recommendations for, projects and programs impacting service delivery with a focus on a prevention, early intervention, and skill development approach to employment support services.

The ESS Program team is driven and solution-focused and looking for a dynamic individual with an innovative mindset who is eager to enhance programming opportunities for the individuals and families we support.

Primary Accountabilities

We count on your expertise to cultivate working relationships and enhance the development and implementation of programs and/or projects. You will achieve this through:

• Creating, monitoring, implementing, and evaluating standards and guidelines that support ESS programs and policies;
• Assisting in the enhancement of program development and delivery through the creation of accountability systems and support in coordination;
• Providing advice and guidance on projects/programs related to sustainable labour market attachment and employment-related initiatives for youth-at-risk, persons with disability and recipients of income assistance;
• Analyzing and interpreting policy from a research lens to identify gaps in services and consider trends when contributing to effective program development;
• Partnering with regions as well as internal and external stakeholders to actively support the achievement of the short and long-term objectives of the ESS division, in alignment with Departmental goals;
• Developing approaches and communication tools to transition new/implemented projects and programs to the regional delivery system;
• Participating in the development of evaluation frameworks used to assess program performance and supporting analysis and reporting of outcomes;
• Providing contract management and communications with proven community collaboration and networking abilities; and
• Contributing to the monitoring of budgets and forecasts by developing and implementing effective program statistical tracking mechanisms.

Qualifications and Experience

As one of our two Program Administration Officers, you have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least five (5) years of related experience in policy/program planning and development. Previous experience with Employment Support Services and knowledge of services and programs offered by the Department and other community agencies are desirable assets.

By applying an equity, diversity, and inclusion lens to your work, you are analytical in nature and can identify opportunities, determine program requirements, evaluate alternatives, and provide sound recommendations to management. You can interpret policy with proficiency in tracking statistical program information to determine and then measure desirable outcomes.

You must demonstrate effective communication skills (both verbal and written), are able to deliver presentations to internal colleagues and external stakeholders and have the ability to facilitate the implementation/delivery of new programs. Essential to your success is your strong report writing skills, along with your negotiation, organizational and planning skills. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook is required.

Furthermore, you have a strong nature for multi-tasking, are task oriented, and able to work efficiently and effectively in a workplace environment that is constantly faced with time pressures and conflicting priorities.

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:

• A related Masters Degree and three (3) 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 here to learn more about our various benefits offerings and eligibility criteria.

Working Conditions

Most of your time is spent in a comfortable office setting with occasion travel throughout the province as required. You will have daily contact with various Department staff, other government Departments as well as other local Agencies in the community.

Your normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day.

Additional Information

The position is connected to and will report to the ESS Manager in Head Office located in Halifax. As our Head office is in Halifax, it is expected that you may have presence in Halifax as well as time in regional offices.

Your worksite location will be determined at the time of offer negotiation and based on operational requirements. This position may located in any region across the province and located in any of our 30 offices. You can find our office locations here.

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 for future job opportunities.
• Options for Department specific Flexible Work schedule along with Earned Days Off.

Pay Grade: PR 13

Salary Range: $2,396.86 - $2,913.59 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.