Lead, Safety Security & Business Continuity

Designation Status

About Us

At the Department of Community Services (DCS), we are a large and diverse department providing a broad portfolio of programs and services including Child and Family Well-being (CFW), Employment Support (ESS), Income Assistance (IA), Homelessness and Supportive Housing, and Disability Support (DSP).

Through our services, we advocate and help vulnerable Nova Scotians be independent, self-reliant, and secure. We work collaboratively across the province with a strong dedicated network of supports and staff, to achieve desired and shared outcomes for all.

About Our Opportunity

We are recruiting for a Program Lead to develop, guide, and lead critical areas within our Safety & Security Unit, Strategic Services Division. Through planning, coordination, evaluation, and implementation, this position is responsible for the support and development of the department's Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Policy & Program, Facility Management, Facility Security & Initiatives and Business Continuity Management.

As Lead, reporting to the Manager of Facilities and Security, you will work closely with divisions across DCS to oversee, guide, develop and support the development of policy and programs. You will play a key role in various levels of consultation, evaluation, and recommendations supporting department-wide outcomes and priorities while ensuring they are in line with government priorities and legislation.

Primary Accountabilities

We count on your leadership and expertise to:

• Provide consultation and leadership in the support, development and updating of department plans in the areas of OHS, Security and Business Continuity.
• Lead physical security risk assessments & audits.
• Ensure departmental plans meet all policy, regulation, and legislative requirements.
• Supporting the Manager of Facilities in office space projects such as lease procurement, space planning, construction and renovation.
• Consult with staff to evaluate and update current plans and program initiatives.
• Support department OHS & JOHS committees, Labour Management Committees and cross government working groups.
• Consult and collaborate with government colleagues.
• Be a forward thinker, keeping aware of new trends and how they can enhance department safety and continuity programs.
• Develop and monitor service standards, practices and appropriate evaluation mechanisms that lead to continuous improvement of programs and services.
• Lead the preparation and documentation of policy documents, business requirements, functional requirements, business cases, and workflow processes.

Qualifications and Experience

This may be the right opportunity for you if you have a background and professional certification in occupational health and safety, and business continuity management, or an equivalent combination of training and experience. In addition to this, you have:

• previous experience with policy development, and program development;
• experience leading others; and
• previous experience in evaluation of security programs and facilities.

You should have:
 

• Strong writing skills;
• Experience in writing and reviewing policy documents;
• Experience working within an operational environment and meeting tight deadlines; and
• Proficiency with computers and a variety of computer software such as Microsoft Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, TEAMS and Sharepoint).

Assets include:

• Canadian Registered Safety Technician (CRST) or Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) certifications.

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

We recognize equivalent combinations of training, education, and experience, providing opportunities for individuals with diverse backgrounds to contribute their skills and expertise. 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

This role is primarily based in a comfortable office environment. You will be required to travel on a regular basis throughout Nova Scotia therefore a valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation are required. Your normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day.

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