Quality Assurance Specialist (Program Admin Officer 3) (2 vacancies, 1 perm, 1 term)

About Us

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is leading the transformation of the early years and public education system in Nova Scotia. We are doing this by working closely with our partners in education to design innovative curriculum and facilitate excellence in teaching and learning to ensure an inclusive education experience. 

About Our Opportunity

The Quality Assurance Specialist plays a critical role in supporting the delivery of high-quality, safe, and inclusive early learning and childcare services across Nova Scotia. Responsible for monitoring compliance with licensing and safety standards, auditing programs and policies for alignment with departmental expectations, and responding to complaints or concerns raised by families, service providers, or the public. Contributes to the ongoing education and capacity building of providers by promoting awareness and understanding of standards, policies, and best practices. 

Through inspections, program reviews, and policy oversight, ensures that early learning environments foster positive outcomes for children and meet the expectations set by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

Primary Accountabilities

Partner Engagement and Support: 

•  Provide guidance, consultation, and training to childcare providers and early years centers to enhance understanding of licensing requirements and support quality improvement. 
•  Offer expert advice on policy development, inclusive practices, and service enhancements to help programs meet the developmental needs of all children. 
•  Facilitate education and outreach efforts through presentations, training sessions, and direct support to ensure providers remain informed and compliant.

Licensing and Compliance:

• Coordinate and conduct inspections of early learning and childcare facilities, including new sites, renovations and expansions, to assess compliance with provincial legislation, licensing, health, and safety standards. 
• Review and evaluate proposals, architectural plans, and physical environments to determine readiness for licensing and adherence to departmental policy. 
• Uses a risk-based licensing approach that prioritizes areas of greatest impact on the health and safety of children •Prepare inspection reports, assess risk to child safety, and issue compliance requirements; follow up to support corrective actions and continuous improvement. 
• Monitor facilities for license issuance or renewal, investigate deficiencies, and make recommendations for enforcement as needed. 
• Support childcare centres in achieving voluntary compliance; educate centre Directors and Staff on Regulations and compliance standards.

Primary accountabilities (cont'd)

Program Monitoring and Improvement: 

• Conduct audits of licensed childcare programs to assess service quality, policy alignment, and compliance with departmental standards and federal/provincial funding requirements. 
• Identify areas of non-compliance, evaluate associated risks, and issue requirements to mitigate risk and ensure corrective action. 
• Monitor and evaluate program effectiveness in supporting children’s development and meeting diverse family needs; recommend improvements based on findings. 
• Support development and implementation of tools, resources, and protocols to promote consistent quality assurance across programs. 
• Assist in the rollout and monitoring of departmental initiatives and early childhood development

Complaint Resolution and Investigations: 

• Receive, document, and investigate complaints from families, community members, or partners regarding licensed programs or potential non-compliance. 
• Analyze reports from providers, determine the level of risk, and evaluate facility response plans to ensure issues are resolved and risks mitigated. 
• Collaborate with other departmental staff to determine appropriate responses and follow-up actions and ensure transparent, fair, and timely resolution processes that center the well-being of children.

Qualifications and Experience

To be considered for this opportunity, you have a bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g. Education) and a minimum of 5 years experience in an early learning and child-care setting, or a work environment with a focus on policy and regulations. An equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be considered.

In addition, you possess the following:

• Effective time management skills in relation to managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment demonstrating sound judgement, attention to detail and initiative.

• Ability to work effectively independently and within a team environment, and promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.

• This position requires access to a reliable motor vehicle and a valid driver’s license. Offer of employment is contingent on an appropriate background such as criminal records check and child abuse register.

• Working knowledge of programs and services offered by various branches within the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. 
• Prior experience working with current legislation, regulations, and policies with knowledge of government operations, programming, and educational frameworks.
• Bilingualism (English and French)

Equivalency

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 a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.  For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

• Standard office environment with regular computer and phone use.

• Occasional tight deadlines or competing priorities.

• May involve handling inquiries of a sensitive or confidential nature.

Additional Information

This competition is being leveraged to fill a permanent, full-time position. The position location may be based in any of our offices in the Eastern region (e.g. Sydney or Port Hawkesbury). 

It is also being leveraged to fill a term, full-time position with an anticipated end date of Jan 2027. The position location may also be based in any of our offices in the Eastern region (e.g. Sydney or Port Hawkesbury). 

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