About Us

The Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration (LSI) works as a trusted partner to grow the population, develop our current and future workforce, and foster inclusive, safe and fair workplaces. This includes welcoming people from across Canada and the world, helping people prepare for job opportunities and build the skills they need, promoting safe work environments and helping employers and employees know their rights and responsibilities. We work together to create a future where everyone has an opportunity to thrive.

Employment Nova Scotia (ENS) is a division within the Skills & Learning Branch of the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration (LSI).

Through various programs and services, we:

• help Nova Scotians meet their employment potential,
• help employers find the employees they need to prosper, and
• help communities play an active role in developing well-balanced local labour markets.

We are a large, diverse, and passionate team focused on making a difference in the lives of people. We are committed to the pursuit of developing labour market programs and services that help Nova Scotians find employment, improve their skills, and ultimately improve their lives. Our team members make a real difference through designing, continuously improving and delivering the programs and services people need, alongside caring, compassionate, highly skilled people and partners.

The people who use government programs and services are a diverse group of citizens of Nova Scotia and people who are coming here to work and live. It is important that the Employment Nova Scotia team reflects the people that we serve in order to deliver continuously improving, accessible, and inclusive public services. We work hard to create an environment where different perspectives and experiences are heard and valued. We are committed to helping diverse talent thrive.

About Our Opportunity

As a Program Officer, you will be responsible for the delivery of employment programs on behalf of the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration (LSI).

You will be responsible for managing organization and individual funding agreements throughout the entire agreement life cycle, from receipt of application to close out of the agreement. You will provide support to communities, employers and individuals in their efforts to understand how LSI programming can best fit with their labour market needs.

As a Program Officer, you will report to the Regional Manager, Labour Market Program Operations, and work under the supervisor of a Team Leader.

Primary Accountabilities

• Developing contribution funding agreements through the receipt and assessment of applications, recommendation of financial support and helping organizations, employers and individuals understand ENS program terms and conditions. This includes using:
  • Interviewing and problem-solving techniques to be able to gather pertinent facts from individuals, employers, and project sponsors, particularly in cases of discrepancies.
  • Negotiation techniques in order to establish LSI?۪s contribution to projects, which may involve multiple funding sources and to individuals regarding financial income support.
  • Knowledge of budgeting and cash flow forecasting techniques in order to analyze the viability of budgetary proposals submitted by project proponents and individual clients.
• Ongoing management of contribution funding agreements through the review and verification of financial and activity reports, contact monitors and progress reports with agreement holders. This includes:
  • Knowledge of payroll and financial record-keeping systems, methods, and practices in order to understand and monitor the expenditure of LSI?۪s contribution to projects and to ensure that the sponsor complies with the legal requirements in request to payroll deductions.
  • Using monitoring techniques, both financial and activity, in order to analyze financial and other records, to ensure sound management and to determine whether agreement terms and conditions have been met throughout the life cycle of the project or of individual participation in employment programs.
  • Monitoring agreement commitments and expenditures and review and validates cash flows for usage of the current year?۪s budget and projects future years budgetary requirements.
• Evaluating the effectiveness and success of contribution funding agreements by examining project activities, advising where improvements are required and completing agreement close out activities
  

Qualifications and Experience

This may be the right opportunity for you if you have a bachelor?۪s degree in a related field with 1 year of related experience or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Related experience is defined as: experience providing information, interpreting, and applying policies, legislation, regulations and /or programs to citizens, employers or communities.

Other requirements include:

• Experience working with community stakeholders such as employers, organizations, individuals (customers or clients).
• Experience or education in finance and/or accounting related to business and/or government operations such as working with money, banking, bookkeeping, payroll, accounts receivables, accounts payable.
• Experience in negotiation.

You have excellent communication skills (oral/written) and interpersonal skills, and you are skilled at navigating difficult conversations. You are a self-started with a high degree of personal initiative and integrity, who is able to work under minimal supervision, and comfortable working in team environments while valuing an inclusive workforce. You possess time management skills, are able to multi-task, identify competing priorities and prioritize your responsibilities. You have a strong attention to detail, can undertake analysis, evaluate proposals, and you think clearly and critically. You have demonstrated judgement and problem-solving skills and are able to make difficult decision in a timely manner.

While not required, the following will be considered assets:

• Experience in delivering programs to individuals and/or communities, such as employment programs, community programs, social programs, program management.
• Experience working with and understanding the needs of various communities (e.g. African Nova Scotia, Persons with Disabilities, Youth, Older Workers, Indigenous, Francophone, Newcomers and Immigrants) that are part of the labour market and the challenges they face in achieving full labour market integration.
• Experience with on-line databases such as LaMPSS (Labour Market Program Support System) or Advanced Excel.
• Bilingualism (French).
• Experience making presentations to individual(s) and/or groups.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: Interview(s), reference checks, oral presentations, and written exercise.

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Additional Information

Please note that the following pre-screening questions to be completed as part of this application process which you will be prompted to provide at the time of application:

• As stated in the job posting this position is located in Bridgewater, and it is expected that the successful candidate will be required to be present and work in the LSI Bridgewater Office. Are you able to meet this requirement?
• This position requires experience providing information, interpreting, and applying policies, legislation, regulations and /or programs to citizens, employers or communities. Please explain where, when and how you gained this experience.
• This position requires experience or education in finance and/or accounting related to business and/or government operations such as working with money, banking, bookkeeping, payroll, accounts receivables, accounts payable. Please explain where, when and how you gained this experience.
• This position requires experience in negotiation. Please explain where, when and how you gained this experience.
  

Benefits

Based on the employment status and Union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Pension, General Illness (Short and Long Term), Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. Click here to learn more about our various benefits offering and eligibility criteria.

Working Conditions

• Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day.
• May be required to work overtime on occasion.
• In-office work is performed in an open office with exposure to distractions such as noise, equipment, conversations and people traffic.
• Flexible Work Arrangements are available (Flex Place, Modified Work Week).
• There is a requirement to occasionally travel to work outside the office when visiting partners, agreements holders, or when attending community meetings.
  

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