Child & Family Wellbeing, Prevention & Early Intervention Specialist

About Us

At the Department of Community Services (DCS), we are a large and diverse department providing a broad portfolio of programs and services including Child and Family Wellbeing (CFW), Employment Support (ESS), Income Assistance (IA), Homelessness and Supportive Housing, and Disability Support (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

The Prevention & Early Intervention Specialist is accountable for contributing to and providing recommendations to the development, planning, monitoring, budgeting and evaluation of effective policies / procedures.

You will lead a coordinated, comprehensive regional service delivery of Child Welfare prevention & early intervention programs which enhance and improve outcomes for vulnerable and at-risk children, youth and their families.

Primary Accountabilities

As the Specialist, you contribute to the consistent, effective and efficient delivery of the prevention and early intervention programs region wide. You achieve this through :

• Interpreting and clarifying legislation, standards policies and procedures for staff, management, clients, supported agencies, and the community, and by developing program and service delivery improvements.
• Recommending legislative, regulatory and policy and standards changes to meet changing client needs and resource allocations, through consultation with staff at all levels, with community groups and with other provincial departments.
• Providing expert advice, program performance results, and other statistical data related to Child Welfare prevention and early intervention programs in the region to senior management, by developing and implementing systems to monitor performance, and program costs at the regional level.
• Fostering community collaboration / program support and development, by advising and negotiating with community organizations in the region on collaborative delivery of services which promote the safety and well-being of children, youth and families and sustain them over the long-term.
• Coordinating and integrating the prevention and early intervention services provided in the Region by service providers, including government organizations, community groups and individuals to ascertain what assistance / support is being requested or offered that support Departmental goals and clients.
• Providing support and discretion to program professionals, supervisors, and managers by proposing solutions to complex / problematic cases in a timely fashion.
• Facilitating effective communication within the service delivery continuum, and between service delivery and program division (Head Office), by acting as liaison with program divisions in head office on all matters related to policy, program development, standards, delivery models and system enhancements.
• Researching and preparing case-specific briefing notes, letters and Ministerial Inquiry responses.

Qualifications and Experience

You have a bachelor’s degree in clinical areas related to health and / or social science or other related fields; a related Master’s degree will be considered an asset.

Computer capabilities such as Word, Excel, and Outlook are required. You must have excellent organizational skills, strong and effective communication (both verbal and written) and interpersonal abilities which are critical to the successful performance of this position. You must be strategically orientated and can engage and mobilize various community partners and stakeholders. You must be able to demonstrate a positive profile while making difficult decisions within a complex multi-system environment. You are highly motivated, adaptable to change, and have demonstrated experience in situations requiring innovative and proactive solutions.

Your creativity and problem-solving abilities are critical to effectively respond to complex, sensitive issues and to recommend actions impacting vulnerable Nova Scotians. You employ strong analytical skills and develop resourceful strategies in partnership with community-based organizations.

LEADS

The Government of Nova Scotia has adopted the LEADS Leadership Framework. During the interview, candidates will be expected to express how they have demonstrated the key behaviours and capabilities required to effectively lead in a caring and inclusive environment. LEADS Domains includes Leads Self, Engage Others, Achieve Results, Develop Coalitions and Systems Transformation.

Please follow LEADS ( for more information.

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.

Equivalency

This is an excellent career opportunity for many. We recognize equivalent combinations of training, education, and experience, providing opportunities for individuals with diverse backgrounds to contribute their skills and expertise. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

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.

Working Conditions

You will have daily contact with the public, various Government Departments as well as other local Agencies and Institutions. Your normal work week is 35 hours / week, 7 hours / day.

Additional Information

This position's worksite location is flexible within the northern region of DCS's catchment area; the actual office you will work within is flexible and to be discussed during the offer negotiation stage. There is a lot of travel in this position and not necessarily office based.

For a list of offices in the northern region, please click here.

What We Offer

Pay Grade : EC 11 Salary Range : $3,;- $4,;Bi-Weekly