Program Coordinator, Grants Administration (Program Admin Officer 1-2)

Competition # : 49964

Department: Education & Early Childhood Development

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: 06-Oct-26 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is leading the transformation of the early years and public education system in Nova Scotia. We are doing this by designing an innovative curriculum, facilitating excellence in teaching and learning, ensuring an inclusive education experience, and working closely with our partners in education. This department is a perfect fit for those that want to be part of the future of early learning and childcare and public education in the province by supporting children, students and families with a strong foundation for success in a progressive and responsive policy environment.

About Our Opportunity

This is an exciting time to join Nova Scotia’s Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Branch. The sector is undergoing significant transformation as we build a more accessible, affordable, inclusive and sustainable publicly funded early learning and child care system. As the system grows and evolves, our work is fast-paced and increasingly connected across programs, services and digital tools, creating new opportunities to improve how families, early childhood educators, service providers and communities are supported across the province.

As a Program Coordinator, you will help deliver and improve government-sponsored programs and services that support Nova Scotia’s evolving early learning and child care system. Your responsibilities include administering programs, interpreting requirements, reviewing applications and eligibility, providing clear information and guidance to clients and partners, resolving issues or complaints, and supporting the implementation of new programs and digital services. You will also help identify practical opportunities to improve processes and make service delivery clearer, more consistent and responsive.

Primary Accountabilities

• Administers, promotes, and interprets a variety of new and existing programs and related service-delivery requirements. Supports in the development of program objectives, guidelines and the implementation processes in line with government standards, and uses current and emerging technology to share program information clearly with clients and partners.
• Supports continuous improvement by identifying practical process changes, helping implement program updates, managing competing priorities and meeting expected service standards for clients.
• Reviews applications and supporting information, assesses eligibility and provides applicants with clear guidance on program requirements, decisions and next steps.
• Responds to questions, concerns and complaints from program users, identifies service needs and helps resolve issues in a fair, consistent and timely way.
• Applies relevant legislation, regulations, policies and program requirements, and supports the implementation of program recommendations by working with staff, partners and program users to develop plans, review and update programs, and assist with program evaluation.
• Under the direction of senior management, develops and updates materials (such as guides, manuals, procedures, templates, etc.) for both public and internal use.
• If applicable, monitors, coordinates and analyzes operating expenditures, prepares financial information or reports, to support budget forecasting and program management.
• Supports the implementation and ongoing use of digital tools, systems and service improvements by helping develop user information, testing processes, monitoring issues, and identifying opportunities to improve the client and partner experience.
• Maintains accurate program records and documentation, supports data collection and reporting, and prepares information to monitor program activity, service trends and continuous improvement opportunities.

Qualifications and Experience

To be considered for this opportunity, you hold a bachelor's degree and 1 year of relevant experience or equivalent. Relevant experience may include supporting the administration and delivery of programs or services, including grants, funding programs, or financial administration; interpreting and applying regulations, program policies, guidelines or eligibility requirements; reviewing application and other program information to make eligibility decisions or resolve program-related questions or issues; maintaining program records and documentation; and supporting program reporting, monitoring or continuous improvement activities.

You also possess the following:

• Ability to apply sound judgement and make effective decisions
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills

Assets: The ability to conduct work in French is considered an asset.

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

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

• Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day.
• May be required to work overtime on occasion.

Additional Information

Please note this competition will be leveraged to fill a current permanent, full-time position in addition to any upcoming PAO 1-2 vacancies, in accordance with timelines outlined in the collective agreement.

What We Offer

• Career development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career
• Engaging workplace: our employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths
• A dynamic, client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus

Pay Grade: PR 06 - PR 10

Salary Range: $2,112.87 - $3,029.89 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, Persons of African Descent, Racialized Persons, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ Persons 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.

If you are receiving a pension from the Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan (PSSP) or any related plans, you cannot receive pension payments while contributing to the same plan. If you accept a position that requires PSSP contributions, your pension payments must be stopped. Please contact the Nova Scotia Pension Services Corporation for more 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.