Social worker Jobs in Antigonish, NS

Competition # :   45214

Department :   Opportunities and Social Development

Location :   Port Hawkesbury, Sydney, North Sydney, and Glace Bay

Type of Employment :  Permanent

Union Status :   NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date :   20-Feb-25    ( 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

This Hiring Pool will be used to fill multiple Permanent, Term, Temporary and Casual opportunities over the next several months. Opportunities can be in the following locations : Port Hawkesbury, Sydney, North Sydney, and Glace Bay.

We're hiring dedicated Child Protection Social Workers to join our team in the following program areas including Intake, Long-term Care, and Children in Care, Consolidated Allegations Investigations Team (CAIT). In this vital role, you will provide a wide array of professional child and family wellbeing services. You will be involved in planning for and supervising children in the care of the Minister, liaising with various partners and communities, and advocating on behalf of children and families.

As a role model, you will support and demonstrate a workplace culture that is inclusive, respectful, safe, and supportive. 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), your role will actively work towards protecting children from abuse and neglect, provide ongoing services to parents and children, and collaborate with program areas to assess families for the placement of children.

Primary Accountabilities

Daily, you actively work to engage people and communities to build resilience, address challenges and trauma, and create change. Every day is different, and you will encounter unique challenges with responsibilities ranging from :

• Assessing child protection concerns and working with families and communities to address them
• Collaborating with and supporting individuals and families
• Planning and developing case plans with families
• Working closely with the community and advocating for connections to community resources
• Participating in risk assessments, court testimonies, and evaluations
• Planning with and supervising children in care of the Minister

Qualifications and Experience

A completed Master of Social Work, or a Bachelor of Social work with at least two (2) years of related experience, along with a driver's license are required. You must be eligible for registration with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers ( NSCSW ).

You are :

You possess a deep understanding of child development, family dynamics, trauma-informed care, and community resources. You are well-versed in effective intervention strategies. Your excellent problem-solving skills, combined with creative thinking, enhance the support provided to children and families, contributing to their overall well-being and growth.

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

A typical work day is between 8am - 5pm. Most of your work will involve meeting with clients in their homes or with service providers, requiring substantial driving time, sometimes in adverse weather conditions. While in the office, you will benefit from a comfortable work environment with flexible working options available.

On a rotating schedule, you may be required to provide child and family wellbeing services for your designated area, after regular business hours. This will include working on weekends and reporting to the provincial after-hours response team.

You may also be called upon to work beyond regular business hours on short notice.

Personal resilience is crucial to meet the physical and emotional demands of this position. You will be immersed in high-stress and crisis situations, with extensive support and resources at your disposal. You must be able to work under pressure and be both personally and professionally committed to working inclusively with culturally diverse individuals.

Additional Information

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

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

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

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

Pay Grade :   PR 13 - PR 16

Salary Range :   $2,556.10 - $3,507.08 Bi-Weekly(plus a temporary wage adjustment as described above)

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.

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

[email protected].