Employment Support Services & Income Assistance Caseworker(Hiring Pool)(Digby,Granville,Middleton)

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.

We’re hiring dedicated Caseworkers to join our Employment Support Services and Income Assistance (ESIA) team. In this role, you will evaluate the eligibility of individuals seeking financial assistance and support, ensuring both initial and ongoing eligibility. You will also deliver comprehensive employment support services to Income Assistance recipients and individuals with disabilities, helping them navigate and guide them towards achieving financial independence for themselves and their families.

This Hiring Pool will be used to fill multiple Permanent, Term, Temporary, and Casual opportunities over the next several months, in the Western Region, including Digby, Granville, and Middleton locations.

As the Caseworker, you will deliver the continuum of employment support services and income assistance enhancement activities for clients such as:

• employability assessments, counselling/case management;
• workshop facilitation, job development/job search services, and referrals;
• intakes, assessments, records maintenance;
• general and/or specialized case management, consultation; and
• communication of outcomes to applicants, and referrals to appropriate programs and community resources.

In a team environment, you work collaboratively with colleagues, community, and clients to mobilize the client’s personal resources toward self-sufficiency, using appropriate supporting interventions. You’ll facilitate access to training, along with the development of training/workshops with external service providers; all of which enable the movement of clients into employment.

You have completed a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Business, or another related field, combined with a genuine passion for making a difference. You excel in interviewing techniques and communication (both written and verbal) and possess strong planning, organizational, and crisis intervention abilities. Familiarity with workshop facilitation, job development and job search services, intakes, and assessments are a benefit to this role, as well as a solid network of community resources to support clients effectively.

You understand budgetary and case management concepts and demonstrate initiative and sound judgment. A client service focus, and an awareness of how factors like culture, socioeconomic status, gender, age, and sexual orientation influence client experiences is necessary. The ability to meet deadlines and handle challenging situations with poise is essential. Fluency in multiple languages is a significant asset, enhancing your ability to connect with and support a diverse client base. Other assets include experience with Employment Support and Income Assistance (ESIA) policies and legislation, and Occupational Health and Safety responsibilities.

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.

We recognize equivalent combinations of training, education, and experience, providing opportunities for individuals with diverse backgrounds to contribute their skills and expertise. Equivalencies include, but are not limited to:

• A completed related 2-year diploma along with two (2) years of related experience;
• Four (4) years of related experience.

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

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.

A typical work week is 35 hours, with 7-hour days. While your primary work environment will be an office where you'll spend substantial time at your computer, we offer flexible work options to enhance your work-life balance. As operational needs allow, you may have the opportunity to work from home one day per week. Occasional travel may be required. The role is dynamic and involves navigating time pressures and managing a diverse caseload. You’ll need to thrive in a fast-paced environment, balancing competing priorities.

This Hiring Pool will be used to fill multiple Permanent, Term, Temporary, and Casual opportunities over the next several months, in the Western Region, including Digby, Granville, and Middleton locations.

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: PR 04- PR 11
Salary Range: $1,908.74- $3,085.30 Bi-Weekly

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.

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.