Job Description

Competition # : 50002

Department: Labour, Skills and Immigration

Location: DARTMOUTH

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: Exclusion - Non Union - NSPG

Closing Date: 13-Oct-26 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Safety Branch of the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration delivers regulatory programs that protect workers and the public. Through education and outreach, inspection and enforcement, equipment registration, permits and licences, more than 130 employees located across Nova Scotia support compliance with provincial safety requirements. The Branch uses a compliance pathway that includes setting and promoting requirements, verifying compliance and taking enforcement action when necessary.

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Executive Director, Occupational Health and Safety, the Senior Director Compliance and Inspection provides strategic direction, quality-management oversight, operational planning expertise and leadership for the provincial delivery of workplace occupational health and safety compliance, inspection, enforcement and investigation programs and regulatory activities.

The Senior Director provides timely, informed advice to senior leadership and Regional Directors, leads major province-wide compliance and inspection initiatives, supports continuous improvement, and contributes to legislative and regulatory reform in response to emerging workplace-safety issues. The role may exercise authorities delegated under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, as determined by the Executive Director.

Primary Accountabilities

• Lead the development, execution and continuous improvement of comprehensive regional operational plans, performance measures and service-delivery frameworks that meet legislative requirements and align with departmental priorities.
• Provide provincial oversight of inspections, investigations, enforcement actions, administrative penalties, prosecutions and case management to support the clear, consistent and fair application of occupational health and safety legislation, policies and procedures.
• Monitor regional performance, inspection and enforcement practices, emerging risks and service-delivery gaps, and provide strategic direction and decision support to Regional Directors and compliance and inspection staff.
• Review files, make recommendations on enforcement actions and intervene when appropriate enforcement action has not been taken or requires correction.
• Lead change initiatives for province-wide regional inspection and compliance operations, including the development and implementation of standards, programs, processes and service-delivery improvements.
• Represent Nova Scotia on provincial, regional and national working groups concerned with regulatory harmonization, labour mobility, emerging issues, regulatory development and compliance planning.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships across the Safety Branch, government departments and agencies, other levels of government, professional associations, communities, the Workers' Compensation Board and the private sector.
• Provide advice and background information to senior and elected officials and, when required, respond to media inquiries concerning occupational health and safety inspections, investigations and serious incidents.
• Lead the effective planning and management of human and financial resources, including performance objectives, coaching, succession planning, employee development, respectful workplace practices, procurement and budget forecasting.

Qualifications and Experience

This may be the right opportunity for you if you have a university degree relevant to occupational health and safety, coupled with several years of leadership experience in a related field. An acceptable combination of education, training and experience may be considered.

You have demonstrated knowledge and experience in occupational health and safety compliance, inspection, enforcement, investigation, program delivery and the development of solutions that affect workplace health and safety. Experience working with various levels of government and diverse partners is required.

You possess exceptional interpersonal, written and verbal communication, negotiation and conflict-resolution skills. You can provide clear strategic advice, manage sensitive and high-profile issues, and establish effective relationships with a diverse range of individuals and organizations. Experience responding to media inquiries on sensitive matters is considered a strong asset.

You are proficient in Microsoft Office applications and possess strong organizational and analytical skills. You work accurately, pay close attention to detail and balance competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. You quickly synthesize new information and provide advice grounded in sound judgment and professional expertise.

A valid driver's licence is required.

Leadership competencies required at this level include Decisiveness, Strategic Orientation, Developing Others, Team Leadership, Self-Awareness and Personal Impact, Effective Interactive Communication, Partnering and Relationship Building, and Intercultural and Diversity Proficiency.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interviews and reference checks.

Equivalency

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

Benefits

Based on the employment status, 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

• The normal workweek is 35 hours, seven hours per day.
• Occasional overtime may be required.
• Occasional travel by car or plane and attendance at workplace or field sites are required.
• Field visits may involve exposure to dust, dirt or noise and walking over rough terrain or obstacles.
• The role manages sensitive and time-critical matters, competing demands, serious-incident response and regulatory deadlines.

Additional Information

This position leads a province-wide management and inspection organization, including Regional Directors and specialized investigation and inspection functions.

Offer of employment is conditional upon completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, with results satisfactory to the employer.

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
• A dynamic, client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus.

Pay Grade: EC 14

Salary Range: $4,754.34 - $5,942.94 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 competitions@novascotia.ca.

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 Competitions@novascotia.ca.