Competition # : 35915
Department: Community Services
Location: HALIFAX
Type of Employment: Term
Union Status: NSGEU – NSPG
Closing Date: 7/12/2022 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)
This opportunity is designated to applicants that identify as African Nova Scotian and/or Racially Visible Persons. You must self-identify during the application process.
African Nova Scotian – is any Nova Scotian who chooses to declare African ancestry, regardless of how long they have lived here and regardless of how much African ancestry they can declare.
Racially Visible Persons – persons, other than Indigenous people or African Nova Scotians, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour.
At the Department of Community Services (DCS), we are a large and diverse department providing a broad portfolio of programs and services including Child Youth and Family Support (CYFS), Employment Support (ESS), Income Assistance (IA), Homelessness and Supportive Housing, and Disability Support (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.
In April 2021, the new Adoption Record Act received Royal Ascent. With the new legislation comes exciting career opportunities with our newly designed Disclosure Unit.
If you are passionate about helping people learn about their history and origins, this opportunity provides you with the chance to make a profound and positive impact in the lives of parties to an adoption and former children in permanent care. You will be employed in a dynamic, creative and collaborative work environment that celebrates and embraces diversity, promotes continued professional growth and provides you with the opportunity to utilize your full range of social work skills, knowledge and experience.
As a Social Worker working in the Disclosure Unit, you are responsible for the disclosure of information to parties to an adoption and to former children in permanent care with the Department of Community Services. Through the collection of social and medical history, you will create reports and provide support to applicants who are searching for information or requesting reunions with birth families. You will also assist people affected by adoption who wish to limit access to their personal information. You will provide supports and services in a respectful, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive manner.
You will intervene under the Children and Family Services Act, the Adoption Information Act and the Adoptions Records Act and in accordance with the legislation and policies of the program, to make a lasting difference in applicants lives. You exercise judgment and make decisions regarding information disclosure and supports and reunions in consultation with your supervisor and colleagues.
You have completed your Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Master of Social Work (MSW); or are a current Registered Social Worker (RSW). You must be eligible for registration with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers. You must have a valid drivers license and the ability to travel to various work site locations.
Your understanding of child development, family functioning, child abuse and neglect have prepared you to speak up for your clients and empower change. You are compassionate, reliant, and resourceful. You are well versed in effective intervention strategies when supporting individuals and families. You are a problem solver who applies their studies and experience in creative ways to best support your clients. Knowledge of the Children and Family Service Act, the Adoption Information Act and disclosure of sensitive information is a definite asset.
You demonstrate key qualities such as problem solving, decision making, and are a strong team player who is keen to practice social work within a government system.
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.
Some of your work involves meeting with clients in their homes or communities. As this is a Provincial program, this necessitates considerable driving time, sometimes in adverse weather conditions. While present in the office, your time is spent a comfortable office environment with flexible working options available.
Your personal resiliency is essential to meet the physical and emotional demands of this position. You will be immersed in high stress and crisis situations. You must be able to work under pressure and be personally and professionally committed to working with culturally diverse individuals in a respectful, inclusive, and racism-free manner.
This is a term opportunity with an anticipated end date of July 23, 2023. The appointment status (‘term’, ‘temporary’ or ‘casual’) is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.
Based on the employment status, we also offer a wide range of benefits such as:
Click here to learn more about our various benefits offerings and eligibility criteria.
Pay Grade: PR 09 – PR 15
Salary Range: $2,028.21 – $3,155.27 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.
This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU).
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.