Crown Land Surveyor (Surveyor 3)
Competition # : 47352
Department: Natural Resources
Location: TUSKET
Type of Employment: Permanent
Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG
Closing Date: 18-Nov-25 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)
About Us
Nova Scotia is rich in natural resources – including biodiversity, forests, geological resources, provincial parks and the land we manage. The Department of Natural Resources is responsible for the development, management, conservation and protection of forest, mineral, 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
The Crown Land Surveyor is accountable for the following: research and assessment of documentary, verbal and field evidence for the location of Crown land boundaries, the preparation of survey plans, legal descriptions and reports of survey, maintenance of previously surveyed Crown land boundaries and analysis of survey evidence.
The Crown Land Surveyor assists in the migration of Crown Land under the Land Registration Act and claims of adverse possession.
Primary Accountabilities
As the Crown Land Surveyor, you will be responsible for:
- The administration of multiple regional survey offices, which includes budget preparation and expenditure approval.
- Supervision and performance management of survey staff which may be located in various offices.
- Conducting all survey work in accordance with the Land Surveyors Act and Crown Lands Act.
Qualifications and Experience
To be considered for this opportunity, you must be registered as an Active Member with the Association of Nova Scotia Surveyors (ANSLS) + 4 years related experience; or are eligible and willing to be registered as an Active Member if currently or previously registered or licensed to practice professional land surveying in another jurisdiction in or outside of Canada with 4 years of experience. As a Surveyor 3, you must be registered with, or eligible for registration as, an active member of the ANSLS. For more information, please visit the ANSLS website.
Professional knowledge of the concepts, principles, techniques and practices and of legal surveying including survey law, case law, property law and the rules of evidence are required along with a thorough knowledge of all provincial statutes and regulations that deal with land and land development. An understanding of the current and historical land registry land granting system is needed. A strong background in mathematics (coordinate geometry, curves, volumes, areas, calculus) is required. It is also necessary to have an understanding and the ability to operate all normally encountered office and surveying equipment such as computers, plotters, digitizers, total stations, GPS receivers along with computer software such as Word Perfect, Lotus, Word, C&G Survey, Carlson Survey, ArcView, GPS software etc., to direct and facilitate procedures and processes associated with the analysis and use of highly complex technologies and related software programs.
This position requires the ability to analyze and interpret policies, procedures and legislation to ensure adherence to departmental/ government policy and to resolve any ongoing or complex field problems and/or complaints related to regional survey projects or contract work. It requires thorough knowledge of training, supervisory, coaching and motivational techniques to effectively instruct, supervise and evaluate staff performance. Strong leadership skills with proven abilities to manage staff in an adverse work environment is also required. Project management experience developing the scope of work, schedule, and technical specifications for land survey projects is essential.
Communication (verbal and written), interpersonal, negotiating and influencing skills are required to communicate effectively with staff, the public, consultants, contractors, government and private industry officials, to defend and explain difficult issues with regards to key decisions and departmental positions to management officials and/or industry stakeholders and the general public, and to prepare correspondence and reports that are clear, concise and meaningful. Organizational skills along with the ability to work with very little supervision is necessary along with problem solving, analysis of evidence, financial management and procedural development skills. An ability to build relationships with colleagues, stakeholders and partners is critical.
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
Work within an office environment with occasional field work. Field work can include working in extreme conditions and long walks to reach work sites.
Additional Information
This is a permanent, full-time position based in Tusket, Nova Scotia.
As a Surveyor 3, you must be registered with, or eligible for registration as, an active member of the ANSLS.
Possessing training certificates in the following would be considered assets: Canadian Safety Council ATV Safe Rider Course, Canadian Safety Council UTV (Side by Side) Safe Rider Course, and Snow Mobile Operation; Canadian Safety Council (CSC) Snowmobile Rider Course (or equivalent); Boating and/or Canoe Operation; Standard First Aid.
Please note frequent travel will be required throughout the Province on this project.
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
Pay Grade: PR 15
Salary Range: $2,760.42 - $3,364.90 Bi-Weekly
Employment Equity Statement:
Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.
Accommodation Statement:
We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Candidates may request accommodations based on any grounds protected by the Human Rights Act. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please contact us at competitions@novascotia.ca.
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.
