Competition # : 46120
Department: Service Nova Scotia
Location: HALIFAX
Type of Employment: Term
Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG
Closing Date: 30-May-25 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)
At Service Nova Scotia, we impact every citizen, business and municipality in Nova Scotia. Our mandate is to design and deliver programs and services to meet the needs of our clients and the public good through a culture of excellence. Service Nova Scotia vision is to be recognized as a leader in service and public protection that delivers trusted, accessible, modern programs, and contributes to Nova Scotia as a safe and desirable place to live, work and do business. To learn more about our Department, please click here: Department of Service Nova Scotia - Government of Nova Scotia
Reporting to the Manager, Business Licensing and Compliance, the Senior Licensing Officer is responsible for developing processes and procedures that adhere to program requirements and provide overall support in facilitating the design and implementation of program modernization.
The Senior Licensing Officer (SLO) will have an in-depth knowledge of licensing requirements under the following 7 pieces of legislation: Embalmers and Funeral Directors Act, Cemetery and Funeral Services Act, Mortgage Regulation Act , Consumer Reporting Act, Direct Sellers Registration Act, Collection and Debt Management Agencies Act and the Consumer Protection Act. This includes 13 different types of business licenses/permits and 64 different types of individual licenses/permits. This position includes the adjudication and approval of licenses/permits as required.
The SLO provides subject matter expertise to the Division and is responsible for leading and implementing program modernization initiatives such as the implementation of business plan initiatives, new legislation, streamlining licensing requirements, electronic applications and technical changes to the AMANDA platform and online licensing system to make it easier for businesses to interact with government.
The SLO ensures the quality of the business licensing program by monitoring the effectiveness of the program and evaluating activities.
For trust funds held by Service Nova Scotia, the incumbent is responsible for ensuring that they are managed prudently and accounted for. For trust funds held by funeral homes in Nova Scotia, the incumbent is responsible for developing policy and procedures to ensure consumers funds held in trust for pre-arranged funerals are protected and issued efficiently by funeral homes. Currently in Nova Scotia funeral homes hold over $100 million in funds held in trust.
• Designs and implements projects to make it easier for businesses to comply with government regulations, improve business processes, increase organizational performance, reduce turnaround times and increase productivity improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the operational and administrative processes of business licensing.
• Responsible for designing and implementing system changes in the business licensing platform AMANDA and online business licensing system to create internal efficiencies.
• Develops and implements evaluation and monitoring tools to assess the effectiveness of change of a business process and new initiative once implemented.
• Conducts technical, financial, operational, legislative, inter-jurisdictional and market assessments of various options as required. For example, reviews and assesses over $100M that funeral homes hold in trust in Nova Scotia, and recommends policy options around how those funds can be released and transferred by funeral homes while ensuring consumer protection.
• Responsible for management and oversite for all trust funds (funded and unfunded administered by Business Licensing and Compliance and responsible for liaising with Department of Finance to ensure all trust funds are administered in accordance with legislation.
• Oversite and management of all Business Licensing files including the conversion of paper files to digital records management.
To be considered for this opportunity, you will have a bachelor's degree with a concentration in a related field such as public or business administration, law, economics, or the social sciences, plus 5 years related experience. An equivalent combination of formal training and related experience may be considered.
A highly developed ability to think analytically and conceptually to develop practical solutions to problems and challenges related to business licensing. Responsibilities related to this position require sound judgment, and the capacity to make accurate assessments. Must possess a high degree of initiative and objectivity, and the ability to manage assignments to ensure they are completed in a timely manner.
You exercise tact, diplomacy and sound judgement when dealing with internal and external clients. You are a self-directed individual with the ability to make high level decisions and work independently or in a team environment, with a professional attitude. You have computer proficiency with the ability to utilize various databases to collect and process information.
You possess the ability to apply working knowledge and understanding of legislation, policies, procedures, and directives governing an operational program. You have a strong ability to interpret and analyze information provided by clients. You possess exceptional verbal and written communication skills demonstrating the ability to establish productive relationships with internal and external client partners.
We will assess the above qualifications with an interview(s), written assignment, oral presentation, and reference checks.
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. For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.
This is a TERM, full-time position based in Halifax, with an anticipated end date of June 5, 2026. The appointment status (‘term’, or ‘temporary’) is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate and the total duration of the vacancy, in accordance with the collective agreement.
Pay Grade: PR 13
Salary Range: $2,556.10 - $3,107.16 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. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please let us know.
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.
We are committed to hiring military and Veteran spouses and encourage you to identify your connection with the MSEN when reaching out to us or applying to any of our open roles.
Have questions or want to learn more about us? We would love to hear from you!
Email: competitions@novascotia.ca