Secretary 2 - Administrative Assistant

About Us

The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission (“the Commission”) is an independent government agency mandated with administering the Human Rights Act. The Commission focuses on two key areas: providing a human rights dispute resolution process to resolve allegations of discrimination both on an individual and systemic level; and working to eliminate barriers and prevent discrimination through education, training, public engagement, and policy development. Through this work, the Commission is helping to build inclusive communities and protect human rights in Nova Scotia.

The Dispute Resolution Division is an active unit within the Commission, employing close to 60% of the Commission’s workforce. The division’s work is highly sensitive and focuses on the resolution of inquiries and complaints related to allegations of discrimination through various methods, such as resolution conferences and investigations.

For more information about the Commission, visit our website

About Our Opportunity

Reporting jointly to the Manager, Dispute Resolution, and the Commission Registrar, the Administrative Assistant (Secretary II) provides a wide range of secretarial and administrative support to the Registrar and, Dispute Resolution functions.

This position requires the confidence and ability to handle multiple priorities with a positive attitude, take initiative to get things done, and perform effectively under the pressure and strain of inflexible deadlines in a busy, highly confidential office setting.

The Administrative Assistant (Secretary II) communicates with all staff, within the Commission to provide clerical support and office administration; and may deal with Human Rights Commissioners and individuals across government departments. Outside Government: Contact with vendors, suppliers, and the public.

Primary Accountabilities

As the Administrative Assistant (Secretary II), some of your key responsibilities will be: 

• preparing confidential correspondence and reports, proofreading and editing documents;
• coordinating meetings and events;
• responding to telephone, e-mail, and walk-in inquiries from the public and making referrals to appropriate staff;
• providing records management, file management, and data base entries;
• logging and distributing incoming mail and deliveries for the Commission;
• Demonstrating a high degree of cultural competency in serving a diverse public and working within a diverse team.

Qualifications and Experience

As the ideal candidate, you have experience serving the public and in office administration. You have experience in various computer applications, including Windows, MS Word, Outlook, Power Point, and Internet. You have demonstrated competency in keyboarding/typing and word processing, excellent organizational and records management skills.

The Administrative Assistant (Secretary II) position requires strong communication and interpersonal skills with an ability to form strong relations with others in a team setting and ability to work with minimal direction, including the ability to multitask and prioritize work based on deadlines. The Administrative Assistant (Secretary II) possesses above average customer-service skills and strongly developed understanding and awareness of security and confidentiality issues and must demonstrate flexibility and adaptability, as well as problem solving and sound judgement.

Assets include: experience working in an intake/complaint process or legal environment; post-secondary education in secretarial science, business administration, or paralegal studies; experience working in an environment where restorative and/or trauma-informed approaches are part of the core business.

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  Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Pension, General Illness (Short and Long Term), Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. Click here to learn more about our various benefits offering and eligibility criteria.

Working Conditions

Most of your time is spent in a comfortable office setting. Occasionally you may need to move or lift objects such as boxes or files. You will have daily contact with the public, various Government Departments as well as other local Agencies.

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.