Designated Status

This opportunity is designated to applicants who identify as African/Black Nova Scotian and other Racialized Persons.

See the Nova Scotia Government’s Employment Equity Policy for more information, including additional details on the designated groups.

About Us

At the Department of Opportunities and Social Development (OSD), 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

In April 2021, the new Adoption Record Act received Royal Ascent. With the new legislation comes exciting career opportunities with our new designed Disclosure Unit.

If you are passionate about helping people learn about their history and origins, this opportunity provides you with the chance to make a profound and positive impact in the lives of parties to adoption and former children in permanent care. You will be employed in a dynamic, creative, and collaborative work environment that celebrates and embraces diversity, promotes continued professional growth, and provides you with the opportunity to utilize your full range of social work skills, knowledge, and experience.

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

Primary Accountabilities

As a Social Worker working in the Disclosure Unit, you are responsible for the disclosure of information to parties to an adoption and to former children in permanent care with the Department of Opportunities and Social Development. Through the collection of social and medical history, you will create reports and provide support to applicants who are searching for information or requesting reunions with birth families. You will also assist people affected by adoption who wish to limit access to their personal information. You will provide supports and services in a respectful, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive manner.

You will intervene under the Children and Family Services Act, the Adoption Information Act, and the Adoptions Records Act and in accordance with the legislation and policies of the program, to make a lasting difference in applicants, lives. You exercise judgement and make decisions regarding information disclosure and supports and reunions in consultations with your supervisor and colleagues.

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

Some of your work involves meeting with clients in their homes and communities. As this is a Provincial program, this may necessitate considerable driving time, sometimes in adverse weather conditions. While present in the office, your time is spent a comfortable office environment with flexible working options available.

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. You must be able to work under pressure and be personally and professionally committed to working with culturally diverse individuals in a respectful, inclusive, and racism-free manner.

What We Offer

We offer many perks and benefits, based on your employment status including:

• Reimbursement for your 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.

• Three (3) weeks vacation to start, and annual pay progression.

• Employee and Family Assistance Programs (EFAP)

• Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability

• Defined Pension Benefit Plan.

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

Pay Grade: PR 09 - PR 15
**Salary Range: ** $2,173.77 - $3,364.90 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.

Accommodation Statement:

We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Candidates may request accommodations based on any grounds protected by the Human Rights Act. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please contact us at competitions@novascotia.ca.

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.