Competition # : 46708
Department: Opportunities and Social Development
Location: DARTMOUTH
Type of Employment: Term
Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG
Closing Date: ?14-Aug-25 ? (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)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
We're hiring a dedicated Child Protection Social Worker Supervisor for the provincial after hours team (PART). This supervisor position will provide direct and clinical supervision to a collaborative, passionate team. With your expertise in Child and Family Wellbeing, you will lead, coach, and provide guidance, support, and advice to your dedicated team of professionals consisting of Social Workers, Counsellors, and support positions in areas such as Intake Investigations, Consolidated Allegations and Investigation Team, Temporary Care, Permanent Care, Long-Term Care, and after-hours support under the provisions of the Children and Family Services Act (CFSA) and An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Children, Youth and Families (FNIM).Primary Accountabilities
You will be accountable for a wide range of responsibilities that are crucial to ensuring the safety and well-being of children and families. Your main accountabilities include:
leadership, consultation, and direction to staff regarding opportunities, issues, cases, policies, standards and protocols, programs, quality assurance, and expenditure control;
providing direction that ensures adherence to established procedures, problem solving complex situations including decision making that can impact the well-being of children and families;
providing oversight of complex and high-risk case management responsibilities including risk assessment and planning for child protection;
building and maintaining effective working relationships in collaboration with colleagues, other departments, and community organizations to ensure positive outcomes for children and families;
ensuring the effective management of human resources by setting and evaluating staff performance targets; promoting diversity, inclusion and a healthy workplace; occupational health and safety; demonstrating leadership competencies; following corporate human resource practices; promoting teamwork and individual development; and maintaining internal communications; and
monitoring and supporting regular performance expectations and development of staff which includes both performance and attendance management.
Qualifications and Experience
Completion of a Bachelor of Social Work and at least five (5) years of related work experience is required; or completion of a Master of Social Work and at least three (3) years of related experience. You must have a valid driver’s licence, have the ability to travel, and you must be registered (or be eligible for registration) with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW).
Previous supervisory experience is considered an asset; however, you must demonstrate leadership competencies and an ability to manage challenging situations under stressful circumstances.
Furthermore, you demonstrate:
Confidence in your ability to make decisions regarding risk to youth, children, and families, and support fellow social workers in doing the same
Theoretical and practical knowledge of social worker practices and strategies, family functioning and child development, along with services for persons with disabilities
Ability to respond and prioritize crisis and emergency situations
Understanding of CFSA legislation, related acts, and other program policies, regulations, and procedures
Knowledge of services offered by the department, and other community agencies
Additionally, you are proficient in both oral and written communication, ensuring clear and effective documentation and interaction. Your strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently with limited supervision are critical to your success in this role.
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
Much of your time is in an office setting, meeting with staff and repeated interruptions. You may have to respond to crises with little to no notice. This is an after-hours position involving a rotating shift schedule (shift hours are generally scheduled after 4:30 pm and includes evening, nights, and weekends – including holiday hours). The shift schedule allows for large blocks of time off between shifts, often multiple days in a row. There are shift premiums eligible for hours worked after 6 pm and weekend/holiday shifts.
This position requires personal resilience and the ability to effectively manage high-stress situations is essential. You will debrief staff who have experienced traumatic situations, spending significant time counselling them to mitigate vicarious trauma.Additional Information
This is a TERM employment opportunity with an anticipated end date of June 30, 2026. The appointment status (‘term’, ‘temporary’ or ‘casual’) is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.
The Employer will apply a temporary wage adjustment to all steps of the pay scale, effective April 1, 2024 as follows:
Child Protection Social Worker Supervisor at a rate of 4%
This percentage amount will be applied to the biweekly rate of pay. The biweekly rate of pay will be subject to any future economic increases and/or changes agreed through collective bargaining. Eligibility for a wage adjustment is reviewed periodically and may be adjusted from time to time.What We Offer
Reimbursement for your registration fees to the NS College of Social Workers.
Flexible working arrangements including modified work weeks where operational needs allow.
Out-of-province applicants may be eligible to apply for moving expenses.
Career possibilities, guidance and coaching, and ongoing training.
Three (3) weeks of 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 18
Salary Range: $3,231.58 - $3,800.42 Bi-Weekly(plus a temporary wage adjustment as described above)
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.
