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Program Lead, OHS (Program Admin Officer 4)

 

 

Competition # : 49255 

Department: Labour, Skills and Immigration

Location: Flexible

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG 

Closing Date: ​04-Sep-26 ​ (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

 
At the Safety Branch of the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration (LSI), we are responsible for delivering effective and efficient regulatory management for the protection of the public and workers’ safety through education, outreach, inspection and enforcement, equipment registration, permits, and licenses.  Our staff of over 115 employees, located throughout Nova Scotia, do this by using the Pathways to Compliance to enhance compliance of provincially regulated employees, employers and contractors through setting, promoting, verifying and enforcing requirements under various pieces of legislation. 
 
LSI works to provide fairness, safety, and prosperity for all Nova Scotians by helping them live, learn and work to their highest potential. We have a staff of more than 500 employees working from offices throughout Nova Scotia. Together we are responsible for safety, labour standards, apprenticeship, immigration and population growth, and many other facets of everyday life. 
 
If you are searching for a rewarding career, we have an exciting opportunity for you to explore as an Occupational Health and Safety Program Lead.  

 

About Our Opportunity

 
As the OHS Program Lead, you will provide specialized, technical advice and program enhancement/evaluation for the provincial inspection and compliance program.  
 
Serving as the key contact for departmental OHS Officers when interpreting and applying legislation and in dealing with complex files, the Program Lead will directly impact program consistency across the province. Your ability to balance administrative work with the need to be accessible and responsive to the larger team and management is imperative to overall success of the role.  
 
 
As the Program Lead, you will report directly to the Regional Director.  

Primary Accountabilities

 
Some key responsibilities in this role include: 
 
  • Acting as the main point of contact for regulatory interpretation and application 
  • Providing key strategic and tactical input to strengthen program delivery and provide technical analysis and strategic advice/recommendations 
  • Developing, reviewing, and evaluating programs/initiatives to identify areas for improvement 
  • Preparing evidence-based analysis, reports and recommendations on items relating to broadly scoped OHS issues 
  • Acting as a liaison role with other authorities in the area of expertise to ensure alignment of OHS programs with regulatory commitments.

Qualifications and Experience

 
This may be the right opportunity for you if you have completed a bachelor's degree as well as a related trade or technical training in the area of occupational health & safety with 6 years of related experience after the course completion (or an equivalent combination of training and experience).  
 
You must be able to work both independently and as a member of a team, exhibiting collaborative behaviours. The ability to exercise professional discretion, maintain confidentiality, manage competing interests, and maintain and build effective stakeholder relationships is critical. Previous experience in dealing with difficult clients is a must.
 
You must be able to understand, interpret and explain legislation in plain language terms for clients. You must be comfortable, and able to communicate effectively, in a variety of settings including one-on-one and in larger gatherings.
 
You can demonstrate proficiency in various computer programs, have excellent written and verbal communication skills. This position requires access to a reliable motor vehicle and valid driver's license. Offer of employment is contingent on appropriate background and criminal record checks.
 
While not required, it is considered an asset if you have a Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) designation, or acceptable equivalency. Recent or current experience working as an OHS Officer is also considered an asset. 
 
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

 

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

 

We recognize that candidates may meet the requirements of this role through different pathways. If your experience is not an exact match to every qualification listed but you believe your background is equivalent, we encourage you to apply.

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

 

  • Your typical work week is 35 hours with 7-hour days. This position is office-based, with regular computer work. You may also be required to travel to various sites in Nova Scotia to conduct job-related duties.
  • Must have a valid driver’s license.
  • May be required to work overtime and perform standby duties
  • The scope of this role requires strong abilities in multi-tasking, balancing multiple priorities, meeting frequent deadlines, and making time sensitive recommendations.

Additional Information

 
The location of this position is flexible. It may be based in any of the following LSI- Safety Branch Offices which include: Dartmouth, Sydney, Truro, Yarmouth, Bridgewater, Kentville, New Glasgow, 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
  • A Dynamic, client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus. 

 

Pay Grade:  PR 17  

Salary Range:  $3,410.48 - $4,005.58 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. 

 

If you are receiving a pension from the Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan (PSSP) or any related plans, you cannot receive pension payments while contributing to the same plan. If you accept a position that requires PSSP contributions, your pension payments must be stopped. Please contact the Nova Scotia Pension Services Corporation for more 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.

         

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