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), 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.

About Our Opportunity

We're hiring a dedicated Child Protection Social Worker Supervisor for the provincial after hours team (PART). This supervisor position will provide direct and clinical supervision to a collaborative, passionate team. With your expertise in Child and Family Wellbeing, you will lead, coach, and provide guidance, support, and advice to your dedicated team of professionals consisting of Social Workers, Counsellors, and support positions in areas such as Intake Investigations, Consolidated Allegations and Investigation Team, Temporary Care, Permanent Care, Long-Term Care, and after-hours support under the provisions of the Children and Family Services Act (CFSA) and An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Children, Youth and Families (FNIM).

Primary Accountabilities

You will be accountable for a wide range of responsibilities that are crucial to ensuring the safety and well-being of children and families. Your main accountabilities include:

• leadership, consultation, and direction to staff regarding opportunities, issues, cases, policies, standards and protocols, programs, quality assurance, and expenditure control;
• providing direction that ensures adherence to established procedures, problem solving complex situations including decision making that can impact the well-being of children and families;
• providing oversight of complex and high-risk case management responsibilities including risk assessment and planning for child protection;
• building and maintaining effective working relationships in collaboration with colleagues, other departments, and community organizations to ensure positive outcomes for children and families;
• ensuring the effective management of human resources by setting and evaluating staff performance targets; promoting diversity, inclusion and a healthy workplace; occupational health and safety; demonstrating leadership competencies; following corporate human resource practices; promoting teamwork and individual development; and maintaining internal communications; and
• monitoring and supporting regular performance expectations and development of staff which includes both performance and attendance management.

Qualifications and Experience

Completion of a Bachelor of Social Work and at least five (5) years of related work experience is required; or completion of a Master of Social Work and at least three (3) years of related experience. You must have a valid driver’s licence, have the ability to travel, and you must be registered (or be eligible for registration) with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW).

Previous supervisory experience is considered an asset; however, you must demonstrate leadership competencies and an ability to manage challenging situations under stressful circumstances.

Furthermore, you demonstrate:

• Confidence in your ability to make decisions regarding risk to youth, children, and families, and support fellow social workers in doing the same
• Theoretical and practical knowledge of social worker practices and strategies, family functioning and child development, along with services for persons with disabilities
• Ability to respond and prioritize crisis and emergency situations
• Understanding of CFSA legislation, related acts, and other program policies, regulations, and procedures
• Knowledge of services offered by the department, and other community agencies

Additionally, you are proficient in both oral and written communication, ensuring clear and effective documentation and interaction. Your strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently with limited supervision are critical to your success in this role.

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.

Working Conditions

Much of your time is in an office setting, meeting with staff and repeated interruptions. You may have to respond to crises with little to no notice. This is an after-hours position involving a rotating shift schedule (shift hours are generally scheduled after 4:30 pm and includes evening, nights, and weekends – including holiday hours). The shift schedule allows for large blocks of time off between shifts, often multiple days in a row. There are shift premiums eligible for hours worked after 6 pm and weekend/holiday shifts.

This position requires personal resilience and the ability to effectively manage high-stress situations is essential. You will debrief staff who have experienced traumatic situations, spending significant time counselling them to mitigate vicarious trauma.

Additional Information

This is a TERM employment opportunity with an anticipated end date of June 30, 2026. The appointment status (‘term’, ‘temporary’ or ‘casual’) is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.

The Employer will apply a temporary wage adjustment to all steps of the pay scale, effective April 1, 2024 as follows:

• Child Protection Social Worker Supervisor at a rate of 4%

This percentage amount will be applied to the biweekly rate of pay. The biweekly rate of pay will be subject to any future economic increases and/or changes agreed through collective bargaining. Eligibility for a wage adjustment is reviewed periodically and may be adjusted from time to time.

What We Offer

• Reimbursement for your registration fees to the NS College of Social Workers.
• Flexible working arrangements including modified work weeks where operational needs allow.
• Out-of-province applicants may be eligible to apply for moving expenses.
• Career possibilities, guidance and coaching, and ongoing training.
• Three (3) weeks of vacation to start, and annual pay progression.
• Employee and Family Assistance Programs (EFAP)
• Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability
• Defined Pension Benefit Plan.

Click here to learn more about our various benefits offerings and eligibility criteria.