Foreperson Trades (Carpentry)
Competition # : 49891
Department: Public Works
Location: HALIFAX
Type of Employment: Permanent
Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG
Closing Date: 29-Sep-26 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)
About Us
Building and maintaining our provincial infrastructure is no small job.
The Building Services Group at the Department of Public Works supports Nova Scotia’s 2,400 buildings and infrastructure assets across a wide range of clients. We maintain and support various government buildings and other built assets, including museums, core buildings and office buildings supporting the work of government, correctional centres, and justice centres.
Without our Building Services staff’s proactive measures, equipment issues or failures could lead to an interruption of services provided. Carpenters are just one of our key team players who support the overall safety and efficiency of our provincial building infrastructure.
As the Carpenter Foreperson, you will assist the Architectural Coordinator in leading the trades team members by organising, supervising and inspecting all architectural work conducted by our team members and contractors.
About Our Opportunity
As the Carpenter Foreperson, you assist the Supervisor, Trades Carpentry with coordinating, supervising and inspecting all architectural work conducted by staff and contractors.
Primary Accountabilities
You carry out architectural related projects as necessary. This may include, but is not limited to; repairs, maintenance and new installations relating to foundations, wall/ceiling/floor construction, roofs, exterior finishes, doors, windows, flooring, cabinets, interior trim and acoustical ceilings. You will also be responsible for ensuring that all work is completed in compliance with the National Building Code of Canada, National Fire Code of Canada and department requirements.
Qualifications and Experience
As the successful candidate you have a working knowledge of the National Building Code of Canada; National Fire Code of Canada; the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Occupational Safety General Regulations.
You will also have a good working knowledge of current construction safety practices and procedures; strong leadership qualities and supervisory abilities; the ability to read and interpret specifications and drawings; problem-solving and decision-making skills; planning and organizational skills; strong public relations/customer service skills; good verbal and written communication. The successful applicant will have computer proficiency in various software programs including Word, Excel, Outlook, Microsoft Suite and the ability to work within financial constraints and experience working a variety of power tools and machinery.
Assets for this position include knowledge of government procurement policy and tendering procedures.
We will assess the above qualifications 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 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
Most of your work is completed indoors, but also occasionally outside where normal hazards of a construction site are present. Your safety is important to us, and we count on you to follow all safe work practices when handling machinery, tools, and materials. Some of your duties will require you to climb, work at heights, or within confined spaces.
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
Pay Grade: TR 15
Salary Range: $36.13 - $38.26 Hourly
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, Persons of African Descent, Racialized Persons, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ Persons 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.

