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

Are you seeking a career where you have endless opportunities to strengthen and positively impact adoptive families?

We are hiring a Social Worker for our Adoption team, where you’ll help shape and deliver supports that set adoptive families up for long-term stability, connection, and well-being. 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), you’ll focus on developing and implementing approaches that respond to the evolving needs of adoptive families. You’ll collaborate with program partners, community groups, and adoptive parents to build services that are accessible, informed, and responsive to lived experience.

Notice to Pending Social Work Graduates: If you are a few months away from graduation of your BSW/MSW program, you are encouraged to apply.

Primary Accountabilities

In this Adoption-focused position, Social Workers play a key role in supporting families throughout their post-adoption journey. You’ll help ensure that children and their caregivers have access to the right tools, networks, and information at the right time. Your work blends direct support, community partnership, and program development. A typical day may include:

• Assessing priority needs for post-adoption services and shaping strategies to meet them
• Responding to inquiries from adoptive families by providing information, referrals, and practical guidance
• Maintaining documentation, records, and contact lists that support coordinated, consistent service delivery
• Offering consultation and support to community-based post-adoption groups and volunteer mentors
• Helping to establish new post-adoption support groups and mentor networks
• Sharing information about educational opportunities, workshops, and events for adoptive families
• Building partnerships with government departments, service providers, and community organizations to strengthen the post-adoption landscape
• Collaborating with colleagues across Adoption, Resource, and other program areas to ensure continuity and quality of service
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

A completed Bachelor of Social Work or Master of Social Work is required as well as a valid drivers license. You must be eligible for registration with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW).

You are also:

• A strong team player
• Empowered to impact change
• Compassionate, reliable, and resourceful.

You are understanding of child development, family dynamics, trauma-informed care, counselling, community resources, and are well versed in effective intervention strategies. Your problem-solving skills and experience, combined with your creative thinking, work to strengthen, and improve support while working with children and families.

Assets include experience working with adoptive families, kinship families, or foster families.

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

Most of your work involves meeting with clients in their homes or with service providers. This necessitates considerable driving time, sometimes in adverse weather conditions. While present in the office, your time is spent a comfortable office environment with the possibility of flexible working options available.

You may be required to provide child and family wellbeing services for your designated area, after regular business hours and may include working on weekends. You may be required to work beyond regular business hours on short notice.

Your resiliency is essential to meet the physical and emotional demands of this position. You will be immersed in high-stress and crises, with plenty of support and resources accessible to you. You must be able to work under pressure and be personally and professionally committed to inclusively working with culturally diverse individuals.

Additional Information

This position is based in New Glasgow, but you will travel regularly throughout Northern and Eastern regions.

What We Offer

We offer many perks and benefits, based on your employment status including:

• Reimbursement for your registration fees to the NS College of Social Workers.
• Flexible working arrangements including modified work weeks.
• Ability to earn overtime and shift premiums for weekend and after-hours work.
• Travel and car allowance.
• Career possibilities, guidance and coaching, and ongoing training.
• Three (3) weeks 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.