Occupational Therapist

About Us

At the Department of Opportunities and Social Development (OSD), we are a large and diverse department providing a broad portfolio of programs and services including Child and Family Wellbeing (CFW), Employment Support Services (ESS), Income Assistance (IA), Homelessness and Supportive Housing, and Disability Support Program(DSP).

Through our services, we advocate and help vulnerable Nova Scotians be independent, self-reliant, and secure.  We work collaboratively across the province with a strong dedicated network of supports and staff, to achieve desired and shared outcomes for all.

About Our Opportunity

We’re hiring a dedicated Occupational Therapist to join our Wood Street Campus. This role is ideal for both experienced professionals and recent graduates who are passionate about working with children and youth facing complex emotional and behavioural challenges.

In this role, you’ll work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, providing assessment, diagnostic, and treatment services to children and youth in care. Your contributions will be essential in helping young individuals develop the skills and behaviours they need for successful community reintegration.

This role offers the opportunity to do meaningful work every day that has a direct and long-lasting impact on the lives of youth. If you are compassionate, motivated, and driven by a desire to make a difference, we welcome you to apply for this rewarding role!

Primary Accountabilities

As the Occupational Therapist, your responsibilities will include:

• Delivering comprehensive occupational therapy services to children and youth in care, typically aged 12 to 18.
• Conducting assessments and developing personalized treatment plans focused on skill-building, behavioural development, and overall well-being.
• Providing child-centered services across a continuum of care, including clinical assessments, program development, and support for community reintegration.
• Collaborating with caregivers, educators, and staff in provincial child-caring facilities to ensure a coordinated, holistic approach to care and positive long-term outcomes.
• Utilizing trauma-informed approaches to address the complex emotional and behavioural needs of children in secure and long-term care environments.

Qualifications and Experience

You have a master’s degree in occupational therapy or an equivalent. You must be eligible for membership in the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists and, on appointment, be registered by the College of Occupational Therapists of Nova Scotia.

The following would be an asset to this position:

• Experience in conducting and documenting clinical occupational therapy assessments.
• Experience in developing and delivering occupational therapy programs.
• Knowledge of human behavior, growth, and development.
• Insight into the motivations of young people and how to encourage positive change.
• Knowledge of trauma, attachment theory, mental health, and substance use.
• Familiarity with child-caring facilities and treatment programs, including the dynamics of long-term treatment and group care.

This position may require travel within the province to provincial child-caring facilities. Therefore, a valid driver’s license and access to a reliable motor vehicle are required.

While we take precautions, children may demonstrate harmful/aggressive behaviours. You must be physically able to implement Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) techniques to manage these behaviours and ensure a safe environment.

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.

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

You will work at Wood Street Campus in Truro, a secure and long-term treatment facility operating 24/7. The nature of this work and environment requires maintaining both dynamic and static security to ensure the safety of children, visitors, staff, and the public. You will be subjected to a high degree of stress and must be capable of handling pressure and crises. Personal resilience and active self-awareness are crucial to managing the physical and emotional demands of this position. 

Your normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day. To meet the unique needs of the children, you may need to work beyond these regular hours. Modified work schedules can be discussed at the offer negotiation stage. 

What We Offer

• Reimbursement for registration fees.
• Career possibilities and progression, career guidance and coaching, and ongoing training for every stage of your journey.
• Rewarding and versatile work where you will see the impacts you make, in and around your communities.