Director, Operations Services

About Us

At the Department of Public Works, we are responsible for building and maintaining a sustainable provincial infrastructure for Nova Scotians. From highways and bridges, to agricultural dykelands to government buildings and registration of vehicles, safety and quality of life are top of mind.

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Executive Director, Maintenance and Operations, this position oversees the acquisition of goods, services, and programs to efficiently maintain our transportation and provincial dykeland land protection system.

Your expertise and strategic planning guidance is fundamental to identifying gaps, opportunities for efficiency and the development/enhancement of procedures, policies and standards relative to highway and bridge and land protection maintenance.

As an integral member of the senior management team, you are accountable for programs and services such our asset information services (GIS) unit. This position plays a large role in the growth and implementation of this system which is critical to developing strategic capital programs and coordinating provincial infrastructure activities.

As the Coordinator of the Department's Rural Impact Mitigation (RIM) program, you are responsible for stakeholder management, administering the contract and project deliverables for the effective maintenance and repair of rural roads.

You also provide direction to the Operations Contact Centre (OCC) responsible for managing inquiries, concerns and requests by the public with regards to Nova Scotia’s highway network.

As the lead Emergency Management Officer (EMO) for the Department, you are accountable for the business continuity plan, coordinating internal logistics and collaborating with stakeholders during an emergency to ensure a prompt and coordinated response.

Programs and services such as 511, the road/weather information system as well as the procurement of goods e.g. road salt, drainage culverts are also managed by you. Coordination and overview of permitting for the transportation of various component moves for large scale projects is managed by you including Special Move Permits for over dimensional and exceptional moves. You are also responsible for administering and maintaining road asset designations for various trucking configurations and loadings. Considerable communication with industry partners is inherent in this role.

A key component to making this all work is partnering with our Finance Department to monitor revenues and expenditures including field administration requirements so that cost effectiveness and quality of service are upheld.

Qualifications and Experience

We are seeking applicants with a Bachelor Degree in Engineering or a Civil Engineering Technologist diploma with multiple years of progressive management experience in highway and bridge maintenance. You must also have a background in budgeting, developing and implementing policy and providing advice to senior leaders.

Demonstrated success in leading, developing and supporting multi-disciplinary teams or projects is fundamental to this role.

Being decisive, you quickly adapt to competing priorities, contentious issues, and demanding deadlines.

Effective communication, partnering and relationship building skills are essential. You have proven ability to bring people and/or organizations together around common goals that are progressive and forward-thinking.

As a strategic thinker, you see the big picture and make linkages to business priorities as you coordinate department business planning and accountability reporting.

You are self-aware and resilient in challenging situations; using this insight to effectively manage one’s behaviour in the best interest of the organization.

As you will work with individuals from a variety of ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds, proficiency in intercultural and diversity relations is key to being successful 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.

Benefits

Based on the employment status 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 normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day. You may be required to work overtime on occasion.

The majority of your work is conducted in a comfortable office environment with moderate travel required within and outside of the Province.

There is pressure to meet deadlines while juggling a diverse number of projects that require ongoing planning/revising. You must be able to manage stressful, complex situations and balance many different issues and considerations. Work is often subject to extensive scrutiny and criticism by the public and by the diverse communities served.

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.