Director, Land Administration

About Us

The Land Administration Division coordinates all matters relating to acquisition of Crown land and interests in Crown land (e.g. rights of way, flowage, leases, licenses), applications for permanent structures/activities on coastal waters, campsite leases, claims on Crown land, disposal and leasing of Crown lands for agriculture, expropriations, general policy for the sale of Crown land, gifts to the Crown, leases to private enterprises and non-profit organizations, peat land exploration licensing and development leasing, permits for use of fishing reserves, standard licenses for abandoned rail corridors, utility easements, and provides land services on behalf of other departments, governments and organizations. These activities are vital to the economic, environmental, recreational, and social well-being of the province, and are essential to maintaining stewardship of the province's $5 billion dollar Crown land asset.

About Our Opportunity

The Director has overall management responsibility for the Land Administration Division and is responsible for overseeing the administration of activities on Crown land, the disposition of Crown land or interests in Crown fand and acquisitions of new land holdings for the Crown. This position is responsible to propose and develop streamlined, modernized draft legislation, regulations and policy related to the administration of Crown lands; to ensure that all program activities adhere to existing legislation, regulations and policies; to direct the financial and resource management of the Division; to develop, expand, manage, and assess changing requirements of the Division; and to ensure alignment of Division activities with departmental objectives.

This position is also a leadership position within the Land Strategy and Planning Branch and is a member of the Branch management team and the broader management team within the Department of Natural Resources. 

Primary Accountabilities

• Providing expert advice and guidance to the Managers of Acquisition and Disposals and their staff regarding complex land transactions and issues.
• Providing guidance and direction in the preparation of formal documentation such as partnership agreements, and submissions to Cabinet, and approving final versions.
• Assessing priorities and allocating resources, both human and material, in a constantly changing environment to ensure that all task are completed in a timely fashion in accordance with government and departmental policies and guidelines.
• Communicating effectively and working collaboratively with senior officials in DNR, other departments and governments, and with external stakeholders regarding land administration issues to ensure Land Strategy and Planning Branch goals and objectives are met.
• Leading the development of strategic planning and business/operational planning processes to streamline current, and identify new, land acquisition and disposal processes that realize public policy and legislative objectives, optimize the value of the programs for key stakeholders, and align with the Department's strategic direction.
• Aligning the development, implementation and evaluation of revised/streamlined and new processes and services in conjunction with Integrated Resource Management and Crown land management.
• Participating in effective governance structures delivering defined accountabilities within approved funding levels.
• Managing and monitoring contracts with stakeholder organizations regarding the acquisition of land for common land management goals.
• Identifying and establishing training requirements for divisional staff and working with training resources to develop and implement program training curriculum.
• Developing service level agreements (SLAs), Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and associated service standards to articulate roles and responsibilities regarding the delivery of land administration services for and by affiliated departments and organizations, for senior management review and approval.
• Developing, negotiating, and monitoring agreements and contracts with external service providers (e.g. appraisers, lawyers, surveyors).

Qualifications and Experience

To be considered for this opportunity, you must hold a post secondary degree preferably in law or public administration with a minimum of five years experience in real estate transactions and real property law or acceptable equivalent education and experience. You must also have detailed knowledge of all legislation, regulations, standards, and policies governing land transactions in Nova Scotia including (but not limited to) the Crown Lands Act, the Land Registration Act, the Quieting Titles Act, the Land Holdings Disclosure Act, the Land Titles Clarification Act, the Land Surveyors Act, the Vendors and Purchasers Act, the Marketable Titles Act, the Municipal Government Act, the Limitation of Actions Act, the Beaches Act, the Off-highway Vehicle Act, the Expropriation Act, and the Ministerial Land Transaction Regulations created under the Court Administration Act.

The success of this position requires a combination of self-motivation, strong leadership, and a genuine interest and determination in fulfilling the provincial and departmental goals in land administration. 

The Director must: have excellent verbal and written communication skills; demonstrate an understanding of risk-based management; be able to make decisions independently while being able to work collaboratively and think horizontally to create innovative solutions; and have experience in budget management.

The Director must also be a problem solver and innovator who generates, promotes and implements new ideas, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders, and resolves concerns arising from the resulting changes. The position is responsible for promoting a culture where idea generation and innovation are encouraged, while still ensuring overall program compliance. Experience leading a team of managers, technical and administrative staff are key qualifications.

Experience and knowledge of indigenous consultation and the role of the Crown is an asset.

Qualifications and competencies will be assessed 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.

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

Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day.

May be required to work overtime on occasion.

Additional Information

This is a permanent, full-time position based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. 

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.