Senior Service Designer (Program Admin Officer 4)

 

 

Competition No:        45577 

 

Salary Range:            $3,107.16 - $3,649.33 Bi-Weekly / $80,786.16 - $94,882.58  Annually (PR 17)

 

Position Status:         Term 

 

Benefits:                     Paid Holidays, Vacation, Family Leave, Health, Dental, and Defined Benefits Pension

 

Location:                    HALIFAX 

 

Department:               Cyber Security & Digital Solutions 

 

Union Status:             NSGEU - NSPG 

 

Closing Date:             4/15/2025  (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time

 

 

About The Role

We are looking to add 2 Senior Service Designers to our team at the Department of Cyber Security and Digital Solutions (CSDS).

 

Senior Service Designer – Human Centred Service Design

As part of Human Centred Service Design Team you’ll work closely with the Digital Health Enablement on the One Patient One Record project. You’ll conduct user research, interpret the research into user insights, then identify opportunities for process enhancements. You’ll work with a variety of stakeholders including developers, health policy makers, and front-line health workers to transform healthcare in Nova Scotia. You’ll also work on other projects across Government of Nova Scotia departments to help improve services for Nova Scotians. 

 

Primary Accountabilities

Your primary accountabilities will include:

 

  • Planning, designing and conducting user research with internal government staff and the public.

 

  • Facilitating collaborative sessions to visually represent the current state and future states of the service.

 

  • Working with policy, process, legislation, and business subject matter experts to inform design.

 

  • Creating clickable prototypes, testing with users, and rapidly iterating on them.

 

  • Gathering and analyzing user feedback and sharing insights with the team.

 

  • Working with software developers to build products guided by user research and a human-centred design.

 

  • Providing input and advice into accessibility and inclusion planning for products and services.

 

  • Contributing to the creation of an iterative roadmap to inform continuous delivery.

 

  • Lead the design and delivery of service design artifacts including; workshop documentation, blueprints, journey maps, recommendations and insights reports, roadmaps, etc.

 

  • Develop efficient client communication and feedback channels as this position deals regularly with clients, vendors, and consultants.

 

Required Skills

  • Skills and experience with a wide range of human-centred design and research methods.

 

  • Experience planning and leading design sessions and activities across large and complex projects.

 

  • Empathy, curiosity, and active listening skills, with an openness to diverse perspectives and ideas.

 

  • The ability to understand what problem your team is trying to solve and align design activities to inform decision-making and actions.

 

  • Ability to elicit, distill, and visualize complex information so that it is easily understandable.

 

  • Understanding of how to design inclusive, equitable, accessible, and sustainable services.

 

  • Designing the end-to-end journey of a service including transactions, products and content across both digital and offline channels.

 

  • Experience developing wireframes and clickable prototypes.

 

  • Ability to work within a self-directed culture and navigate ambiguity.

 

  • Effective time management skills and ability to balance priorities and deadlines.

 

  • Excellent interpersonal skills and functional English communication.

 

Valued Assets

  • Familiar with mobile first and responsive UI/UX design practices.

 

  • Skilled with front-end technologies, such as HTML5 and CSS3.

 

  • Familiar with Agile software development methodologies.

 

  • Self-starter, adaptable, and quick to learn new technologies.

 

  • Familiar with using a design software such as Adobe XD, Figma.

 

Education & Experience

  •  Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma (preferably in Design) and 6 years of experience.

 

  • An equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered.

 

Benefits & Perks

At the CSDS with the Government of Nova Scotia, we are committed to providing a fulfilling work environment with numerous benefits and opportunities:

 

  • Work-Life Balance: Maintain a healthy work-life balance with a 35-hour work week. 

 

  • Secure Your Future: Access a defined benefits pension plan for a stable retirement. 

 

  • Annual Leave & Holidays: Start with 3 weeks (15 days) of annual vacation. 

 

  • Supportive Leadership: Our leadership prioritizes flexibility, communication, and enabling your success.

 

  • Support in Times of Need: Rely on short- and long-term support options tailored to help you and your family when it matters most.

 

  • Employee and Family Support: Access our Employee and Family Assistance Programs for comprehensive resources and guidance.

 

  • Cross-Sector Collaboration: Engage with various stakeholders and government departments, building expertise and connections that enrich Nova Scotia’s future, and your own professional development. 

 

  • Growth & Development: Explore career paths in specialized areas like digital service design, cybersecurity, enterprise risk, digital platforms, mission IT, and more.

 

  • Lifelong Learning: Expand your skills with ongoing training and development opportunities.

 

  • Professional Advancement: Dive into public service with endless opportunities for growth, learning, and meaningful contributions.

 

Join the Department of Cyber Security & Digital Solutions and experience the benefits of a fulfilling career, supported by comprehensive perks, career development opportunities, and a diverse range of paths to explore within our department and across the government.

 

Additional Information

There are 2 term vacancies with anticipated end dates of  - May 1, 2026 and  November 1, 2026. The appointment status (‘term’ is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate).

 

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF CYBER SECURITY AND DIGITAL SOLUTIONS (CSDS)

At CSDS, we prioritize people—both within our team and in the communities we serve. Our mission is to redefine how Nova Scotians engage with government by creating accessible, reliable digital solutions centered around user needs.

 

In today’s tech-driven world, CSDS empowers government departments with essential digital solutions to meet Nova Scotians’ expectations. As a trusted partner across government, we enable departments to fulfill their mandates with secure, user-friendly services. From healthcare and education to public safety, we collaborate to transform how services are designed and delivered.

 

We don’t just implement technology; we modernize outdated systems and reimagine processes. Our agile, data-driven approach ensures that digital services are both efficient and adaptable to Nova Scotia’s evolving needs.

Joining CSDS means contributing to work that makes a real difference. From providing vital tech support to healthcare professionals to strengthening cybersecurity and developing scalable digital platforms, you’ll play a key role in building a more inclusive, responsive government for Nova Scotians.

 

Together, we’re setting new standards for digital public service, delivering resilient solutions that meet today’s needs—and anticipate tomorrow’s challenges.

 

 

Pay Grade:  PR 17  

Salary Range:  $3,107.16 - $3,649.33 Bi-Weekly

 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at CSDS:

 

At the Department of Cyber Security and Digital Solutions (CSDS), we strive for a workforce that reflects the diversity of the citizens we serve at every level of our organization. We recognize that users of government services come from all walks of life, and we work to ensure our team reflects these communities. Guided by the Government of Nova Scotia’s Employment Equity Policy, we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities, and Women in under-represented roles. We encourage individuals from these groups to self-identify in their electronic applications. 

 

At CSDS, we celebrate diversity, inclusion, and belonging. By valuing diverse perspectives and experiences, we create an environment where all talent can thrive, enabling us to deliver innovative and inclusive public services to Nova Scotians. 

 

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. 

 

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.