Child & Family Wellbeing Specialist: Strengthening Children, Youth, Families & Community

Competition # : 50300

Department: Opportunities and Social Development

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: Exclusion - Non Union - NSPG

Closing Date: 09-Nov-26 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

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), Income Assistance (IA), Supportive Housing and Homelessness, and the 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

Child and Family Wellbeing (CFW): Strengthening Children, Youth, Families & Community represents a coordinated and comprehensive range of programs and services delivered by community-based service providers that promote the safety, wellbeing of children, youth, and families. These includes parent/family, youth, family violence and sexual violence prevention and intervention programs within community contexts.

The CFW Specialist: Strengthening Children, Youth & Families & Communities is accountable for contributing to and providing recommendations for the development, planning, interpretation and application of effective CFW: Strengthening Children, Youth & Families & Communities programs, program standards, and policies and procedures to ensure the coordinated delivery of culturally attentive and responsive programs and services.

This includes providing program and practice leadership and support to regional community-based programs to enhance and improve outcomes for vulnerable and at-risk children, youth and their families as well as consultation and advice to the internal Child & Family Wellbeing service delivery system, particularly as it pertains to Strengthening Children, Youth, Families, and Community programs.

Reporting to the Director, Child and Family Wellbeing: Strengthening Children, Youth, Families and Community, this position provides leadership, functional direction, consultation, and support in promoting and implementing the vision, principles, and practice standards of the Child and Family Wellbeing Practice Framework.

Primary Accountabilities

As the Specialist, you contribute to the consistent, effective, and efficient delivery of Child & Family Wellbeing: Strengthening Children, Youth, Families & Community programs. Key responsibilities include:

- interpreting and clarifying legislation, program standards, policies, procedures and the Child & Family Wellbeing Practice Framework to CFW Managers, Supervisors, Social Workers, other CFW team members, community partners and service providers to ensure the delivery of human centered programs and services in alignment with the Children and Family Services Act, Adoption Records Act and the Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Children, Youth, and Families.

- providing expert advice, program performance and outcome results, and other statistical data related to Child & Family Wellbeing: Strengthening Children, Youth, Family & Community programs in your region to senior management.

- fostering community collaboration/program support and development, by advising and consulting with community service providers in the region on collaborative delivery of services which promote the safety and well-being of children, youth and families.

- providing support and consultation to program professionals, supervisors, and managers to support access to Child & Family Wellbeing: Strengthening Children, Youth, Families & Community programs, supports, and services in a coordinated and timely manner.

- facilitating effective communication within the service delivery continuum, and between service delivery and program and service delivery and community-based service providers.

- acting as liaison with program divisions in head office on all matters related to policy, program development, standards, delivery models, and system enhancements.

- researching and preparing case-specific briefing notes, letters, and Ministerial Inquiry responses.

Qualifications and Experience

You have a bachelor’s degree in clinical areas related to health and/or social science or other related fields; a related master’s degree will be considered an asset.

Computer capabilities such as Word, Excel, and Outlook are required. You must have excellent organizational skills, strong and effective communication (both verbal and written) and interpersonal abilities which are critical to the successful performance of this position. You must be strategically orientated and can engage and mobilize various community partners and stakeholders. You must be able to demonstrate a positive profile while making difficult decisions within a complex multi-system environment. You are highly motivated, adaptable to change, and have demonstrated experience in situations requiring innovative and proactive solutions.

Your creativity and problem-solving abilities are critical to effectively respond to complex, sensitive issues and to recommend actions impacting vulnerable Nova Scotians. You employ strong analytical skills and develop resourceful strategies in partnership with community-based organizations.

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

We recognize equivalent combinations of training, education, and experience, providing opportunities for individuals with diverse backgrounds to contribute their skills and expertise. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Salary Information

EC 11 -

$3,571.99 - $4,465.03

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 have daily contact with the public, various Government Departments as well as other local Agencies and Institutions. Your normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day. There is a lot of travel in this position and it is not necessarily an office-based role.

Additional Information

This position's worksite location is flexible between offices in the Western Region or Halifax, subject to office space availability. Your worksite location will be discussed during the offer negotiation stage. It is expected that you will have a regular presence in Halifax at the Head Office located on Barrington Street. For a list of OSD offices, please see this link .

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.

Pay Grade: EC 11

Salary Range: $3,571.99 - $4,465.03 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, Persons of African Descent, Racialized Persons, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ Persons 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 [email protected].

Current government employees may access this posting through the link below:

PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

If you are receiving a pension from the Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan (PSSP) or any related plans, you cannot receive pension payments while contributing to the same plan. If you accept a position that requires PSSP contributions, your pension payments must be stopped. Please contact the Nova Scotia Pension Services Corporation for more 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 [email protected].