Competition # : 46544
Department: Cyber Security & Digital Solutions
Location: HALIFAX
Type of Employment: Permanent
Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG
Closing Date: 25-Jul-25 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)
At CSDS, we prioritize people—both within our team and in the communities we serve. Our mission is to redefine how Nova Scotians engage with government by creating accessible, reliable digital solutions centered around user needs.
In today’s tech-driven world, CSDS empowers government departments with essential digital solutions to meet Nova Scotians’ expectations. As a trusted partner across government, we enable departments to fulfill their mandates with secure, user-friendly services. From healthcare and education to public safety, we collaborate to transform how services are designed and delivered.
We don’t just implement technology; we modernize outdated systems and reimagine processes. Our agile, data-driven approach ensures that digital services are both efficient and adaptable to Nova Scotia’s evolving needs.
Joining CSDS means contributing to work that makes a real difference. From providing vital tech support to healthcare professionals to strengthening cybersecurity and developing scalable digital platforms, you’ll play a key role in building a more inclusive, responsive government for Nova Scotians.
Together, we’re setting new standards for digital public service, delivering resilient solutions that meet today’s needs—and anticipate tomorrow’s challenges.
As a Technical Specialist with Linux Operations, CSDS, you will be reporting to the Manager of Core Infrastructure (Servers) within Department of Cyber Security and Digital Solutions.
You will provide support in a 24/7 operational environment for critical digital services supporting government and health care. You will support government departments, agencies, boards, commissions, and offices, as well as Nova Scotia Health and the IWK. You will lead and participate in projects and initiatives that improve the lives of the citizens of Nova Scotia – you will make a difference!
The goal of this team is to continue to advance the maturity of Linux Server Operations within areas such as roles and responsibilities, tool, incident response, monitoring, and reporting. The team will take an agile approach to their work by identifying and developing those areas that provide the greatest value on advancing Linux Operations.
As a key member of our team, you will be at the forefront of resolving complex business problems by understanding client requirements and system capabilities. You will directly support clients with intricate issues that other support tiers cannot resolve, often being their first point of contact and representing the face of our organization. Your ability to communicate technical solutions in common, non-technical language will be crucial in assisting clients with varying levels of digital literacy.
In your role as Tier 2 support, you will provide technical expertise and guidance to your peers across all support tiers. You will thrive on evolving technical challenges, ensuring the effective and efficient availability, deployment, and maintenance of digital solutions for the Government of Nova Scotia. Your responsibilities will include ensuring the availability and security of digital solutions within your portfolio, defining and improving processes to maintain a consistent level of service, and focusing on continual service improvement.
As a technical specialist within a team of specialists and architects, you will mentor team members and lead by example. Building effective, collaborative relationships with clients, team members, peers, colleagues, and management will be essential, characterized by mutual trust and respect.
You will provide specialist-level support for infrastructure running the Linux operating system, ensuring the stability, reliability, and resilience of the entire Linux server landscape. This includes hosting web-based applications, databases, business productivity software, clinical applications, and other services. You will be a key contributor in diagnosing complex situations and implementing corrective actions to ensure timely resolution of IT issues.
Your role will involve participating in the development and maintenance of enterprise/corporate services, including vision, policies, guidelines, standards, reference models, and tools used across the government and its partners. You will work as part of a team of Linux specialists to meet client needs and achieve service levels.
You will develop and implement IT guidelines and procedures for the Linux environment, aligning with the objectives of CSDS to ensure consistency and reliability of services. Implementing IT standards in conjunction with other Technical Specialists will ensure effective and timely services.
Analyzing trends in IT issues and performing root cause analysis will be part of your responsibilities, providing long-term solutions while considering the impact on other areas. You will also develop, modify, or enhance administrative applications and electronic tools to improve services.
Finally, you will provide expert advice and training on the optimal use of computing infrastructure, increasing its effective and efficient use by clients.
To be successful in this role, you will possess a bachelor’s degree in computer science plus a minimum of three years' experience; or have graduated from a recognized Information Technology or Information Management program plus three years and six months of experience (or the equivalent combination of training and experience).
Extensive experience with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and applications such as the Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform, Red Hat Satellite, Centrify, Server virtualization, DNS/DHCP, Antivirus or other technical certifications such as ITIL Foundations would be considered assets.
You must demonstrate a high degree of logical problem-solving ability with a well-developed oral and written communication skills. Experience in Project Management and Change Management and working on ticketing systems is considered an asset. You must also demonstrate that you can contribute to the development of an IT support team by working well with a diverse array of people both inside and outside the team.
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.
Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.
You will be required to participate in the scheduled on-call rotation for frontline support (onsite) after standard business hours and on weekends. You may be required to work shiftwork which includes night shifts, weekends, and holidays.
This competition may be used within 4 months to fill similar positions in other areas of Nova Scotia should they become available.
We recognize that everyone brings different skills and experiences to the table.
If you don’t “check all the boxes”, we encourage you to apply anyway and tell us why you’re the right fit for the job.
We value diversity of thought and believe that the best teams are those that bring together people with a range of experiences and perspectives.
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.
Pay Grade: PR 14
Salary Range: $2,653.85 - $3,231.58 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.
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.
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.