Program coordinator Jobs in Sydney, NS

Competition # :   47755

Department :   Opportunities and Social Development

Location :   SYDNEY

Type of Employment :   Term

Union Status :   NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date :   ​26-Jan-26 ​ (Applications are accepted until 11 : 59 PM Atlantic Time)

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

As the Care Coordinator, you work under the direction of the Casework Supervisor. You are responsible for the intake, assessment, and determination of financial eligibility and support need requirements. You are also responsible for individual support planning, coordination and implementation of programs and services, ongoing case management, as well as monitoring and discharge planning of individuals with disabilities within the Disability Support Program.

Primary Accountabilities

You will work with individuals with disabilities across their life span who require varying levels of support and supervision, including those with complex support needs and challenging behaviours.

You will assess individuals with disabilities in order to determine their level of support. You will also recommend and implement in-home support plans or admission into residential support programs. Working in partnership with Adult Service Centers, other day program, and vocational service providers you will implement and maintain effective vocational or day programs on behalf of eligible individuals with disabilities.

As the Care Coordinator you will work in partnership with individuals with disabilities and, as appropriate, their families and / or others from their personal support network. You will also work with other departments and agencies to provide services, within a continuum of available programs, to meet assessed unmet support needs. These are voluntary programs designed to support people at various stages of their development and independence.

Qualifications and Experience

You are a Licensed Professional in Nursing (RN or LPN), Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy or Nutritional Studies plus five (5) years of related experience. You must be currently registered, or eligible for registration, with your applicable professional association.

A valid driver’s licence and the ability to travel to various work site locations is required.

You must have excellent assessment, interviewing and negotiation skills, which are essential in dealing with complex client situations.  You will be a team player who displays sound judgement and has well developed skills in critical thinking, problem solving and time management.  You must have a solid knowledge base in child development and thorough understanding of the needs and issues relating to children, adults and families with a person with a mental, intellectual and / or physical disability.

You have a good understanding of community supports available and the dynamics of facilitating the development of individual family support networks and family-centered service delivery.  Knowledge of health and social services systems, long term care and case management principles, risk management, community development approaches, coordination of appropriate services, special needs populations, and Homes for Special Care legislation is required.

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

An equivalent combination of training, education and experience will be considered such as :

• a Master's degree in either Nursing, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy or Nutritional Studies plus three (3) years of related experience

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 work with individuals with disabilities who require varying levels of support, care and supervision, including those with complex support needs and challenging behaviours.

You will be responsible for travelling to and completing client assessments in multiple locations including family homes, group homes, residential facilities, psychiatric hospitals, forensic and correctional facilities.

Additional Information

Two (2) term positions are available with anticipated end dates of January 19, 2027 . The appointment status (‘term’, ‘temporary’ or ‘casual’) is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.

What We Offer

Pay Grade :   PR 14

Salary Range :   $2,855.81 - $3,477.51 Bi-Weekly

Note : The salary rates shown reflect the new Civil Service Agreement, effective April 1, 2025. Implementation in our HR system will occur on February 5, 2026.  Until then, the current rates will apply.  Employees hired during this period will receive retroactive pay adjustments in accordance with the new agreement and applicable policies.

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.