Payroll Specialist

About Us

At Service Nova Scotia, we impact every citizen, business, and municipality in Nova Scotia. We provide common services and support to government departments and public sector organizations. Our mandate is to design and deliver programs and services to meet the needs of our clients and the public good through a culture of excellence.  Our vision is to be a recognized leader in service and public protection that delivers trusted, accessible, modern programs, and contributes to Nova Scotia as a safe and desirable place to live, work and do business.

Payroll Services, within the Financial Services Delivery Branch of the Department, provides service to the Province’s departments, agencies, and other government units, as well as to Pensioners of the Province and the Regional Centre’s for Education.  This includes, centralized and integrated support and services in areas of payroll, payroll production, tax compliance, and financial reporting for the Province.  The Payroll Client Relations team is accountable to oversee the timely and accurate preparation of the Province’s payroll, and the accurate maintenance of all HR master data within the SAP system. 

About Our Opportunity

Under the general supervision of the Payroll Supervisor, you are responsible for the timely and accurate bi-weekly payroll for a client base of unionized and non-unionized employees. You must ensure that all transactions comply with Government and Departmental policies and procedures. You are also responsible for providing direction, responding to inquiries, and resolving discrepancies to ensure all clients receive service in a timely and professional manner. This will involve managing multiple demands and meeting strict deadlines.  You work collaboratively in a team providing service excellence to the client and participate in continuous improvement.

Qualifications and Experience

To be successful in this role, you will have Grade 12, four years directly related payroll experience and your Payroll Compliance Professional (PCP) designation from the National Payroll Institute.  Preference will be given to those applicants with experience working in a complex union and non-unionized payroll environment.

In addition, you posses the following:

• Extensive knowledge and experience with a Human Resource Information System (SAP/HR preferred).
• Exceptional organizational and prioritization skills.
• Demonstrated excellent analytical skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Applications.
• Ability to perform activities quickly and accurately with attention to detail
• Strong communication skills, verbal and written.
• The ability to communicate complex payroll issues, best practices, procedures, and government regulations. 
• Demonstrated ability to diplomatically deal with a client and to effectively manage difficult client engagements.
• You will be required to work sensitive, personal situations, in a tactful, professional manner. 
• Ability to function efficiently and effectively under considerable pressure while working to tight deadlines.
   

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.

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 plan www.nspssp.ca, 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

Working Conditions

• Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day.
• This position qualifies for Flexible Work Arrangement (FAW) working hours.
• Time is spent in an office setting with flexible working from home arrangements.
• May be required to work overtime on occasion.

Additional Information

This competition will be used to fill two (2) term full time positions; one with a projected end date of May 30, 2025 and one with a projected end date of January 8, 2026. Note that the status of the vacancy (term, temp) is dependent on the start date of the candidate, and the end date of the term in accordance with the collective agreement.

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
• Department specific flexible working schedules