Researcher (Planning Technician 1(A)-(B)-2)

About Us

Nova Scotia is rich in natural resources – including biodiversity, forests, provincial parks and the land we manage. The Department of Natural Resources and Renewables is responsible for the development, management, conservation and protection of forest, parks and wildlife resources and the administration of the province's Crown land. Together we are working with Nova Scotians to build a better future through sustainable natural resource management as we all benefit from the natural health and wealth of the province.

About Our Opportunity

Like a property law office, the Land Services Branch manages all aspects of Crown land transactions. The Branch is also responsible for the management of historic and geographic records related to Crown lands, for ensuring property boundaries are identified and clearly mapped, clarifying interests in Crown land, and providing information to the public, lawyers and surveyors on Crown interests and boundaries.

The Crown Land Information Management Centre is responsible for maintaining a registry of conveyancing documents, survey plans and maps of Crown land holdings, providing access to Crown land records, researching Crown interests in land, and maintaining the Crown Cadastral Database. As the Planning Technician you support the work of the Department by researching Crown land records and providing reports on the status of Crown lands for various Crown land transactions including land protection, internet for Nova Scotia, energy, housing, and land titles clarification.

Primary Accountabilities

As the Planning Technician, we count on your strong attention to detail and organizational skills for the accurate and timely preparation of research reports in response to requests from department staff, other government departments, the public, surveyors, law firms, archaeologists, and historians. This includes interpretation and evaluation of cadastral/ownership information, legal documents, aerial photographs, legal descriptions, plans of survey and associated return of survey files, legal decisions, purchase files and historical records including county portfolios, Crown Grants, and other government documented files. Using your expertise, you will assist clients with regards to the status of land and records contained at the Crown Land Information Management Centre.

Qualifications and Experience

This may be the right opportunity for you if you have completed High School and have a 2-year Planning Technician course, such as Paralegal or Survey Technician; an acceptable equivalency of training and experience may be considered.

You have a good understanding of legal descriptions, geographic information systems, records management, and knowledge of or an understanding of survey plans and maps. Your communication style, both oral and written, will allow you to conduct detailed research and prepare and sign reports. You work well independently and in a team environment and use sound judgement and tact when dealing with a variety of stakeholders. You have organizational and planning skills that allow you to multi-task while adapting to a fast-paced environment, staying in line with the department’s goals and objectives.

Although not required, it is considered an asset if you are familiar with:

• land registration systems;
• common law, wills and probate;
• municipal, provincial, and federal jurisdictions and responsibilities pertaining to lands;
• administration of government land holdings.

Understanding of cultural diversity, creating a diverse workforce and experience in promoting cultural diversity in the workplace will also be considered an asset.

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 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.
• Located in a comfortable office environment.
• Regularly reads and interprets multiple sources of information, regular requirement to type, read and work on a computer.
• May experience pressure with deadlines and need for accuracy.

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