Contract Administrator (Program Admin Officer 3) (2 Positions)

About Us

Making our Province work is no small job. We’re recruiting for people like you to help our Province achieve big things.

The Department of Public Works supports Nova Scotia’s 23,000 kilometers of roads and highways, 4,100 bridges, and 9 provincial ferries. Our Highway Planning and Design division provides professional expertise in the management and delivery of long-range highway planning services and highway design services, to ensure timely and cost effective system improvements in support of province-wide mobility, economic development and safety of the motoring public.

This is your opportunity to make high impact decisions and provide leadership and innovative ways of thinking for large-scale project planning, design, and execution of major highway construction in the Province.

About Our Opportunity

This position will be responsible for the administration, management, auditing, and delivery of procurement processes and policies for the Department of Public Works with focus on Highway Construction Services.

Primary Accountabilities

Under the general direction of the Construction Program Engineer (Tendering) Highway Construction Services (HCS), the Contract Administrator – Tendering is responsible for the total procurement process as it relates to significant business initiatives which includes, but is not limited to, supporting and/or leading the highway construction projects public tenders for the Department’s annual Highway Construction Program. This role will provide advice and consultation by managing the tendering process including writing contract special provisions and assembling project estimates, plans and drawings, and administering the Department’s electronic bidding process.

Qualifications and Experience

You have a Bachelors’ degree plus five (5) years of related experience in procurement, highway maintenance and/or construction environment; or an equivalent combination of training and experience may be acceptable.

As the ideal candidate, you are:

• familiar with highway maintenance and/or construction environments;
• familiar with procurement processes;
• innovative and can demonstrate critical thought;
• experienced with collecting, assessing, and analyzing information;
• a strong verbal and written communicator;
• current with advancing fields of technology related to highway construction including an understanding of how regulation, policies and programs may affect industry;
• proficient with computer software applications, including Microsoft Excel and Word;
• experienced using web-based software applications; and
• a self-starter with the ability to work under minimal supervision while using sound judgment skills, working with confidential information.

A valid driver’s license with a clean driving record is required.

As the ideal candidate you have a strong work ethic with the ability to prioritize work, meet deadlines, and respond to frequent internal and external requests under pressure. You also have excellent team, interpersonal, organizational, communication (both written and verbal) and analytical skills. You possess planning, organizational and problem-solving skills while in a fast-paced environment and while achieving priorities and objectives.

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

An equivalent combination of training, education and experience will be considered. Equivalencies may include, but are not limited to:

• Completion of a 2-year Civil Engineering Technologist diploma and seven (7) years of related experience

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 and you may be working at your computer for extended periods of time.

Travel throughout the province will happen occasionally.

Additional Information

There are two (2) Term employment opportunities with anticipated end dates of May 21, 2026 and July 30, 2026. The appointment status (Term, Temporary or Casual) is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.

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.