Firewall Operations Technical Architect (Computer Services Officer 4)

Competition # :   47730

Department :   Cyber Security & Digital Solutions

Location :   HALIFAX

Type of Employment :   Permanent

Union Status :   NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date :   ​06-Feb-25 ​ (Applications are accepted until 11 : 59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

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We don’t just implement technology; we modernize outdated systems and reimagine processes.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.

About Our Opportunity

As a Technical Architect (CSO4) in Firewall Operations, you’ll play a pivotal role in designing and securing the digital backbone of Nova Scotia’s public sector. This is your opportunity to lead enterprise level network security architecture that supports healthcare, education, and government services used by millions. You will be the trusted expert that teams turn to for the most complex challenges—shaping the future of DNS, load balancing, and firewall solutions across a diverse and dynamic environment.

You’ll work hands on with industry leading platforms primarily Infoblox DNS, F5 BIG IP, Cisco Meraki, and Palo Alto Networks, making decisions that directly influence system resilience, performance, and cybersecurity posture. This role is both strategic and highly technical : you’ll design long term solutions, guide modernization initiatives, and ensure secure, reliable 24 / 7 operations.

Collaboration is core to this opportunity. You will work closely with partners across Nova Scotia Health, IWK, government departments, vendors, and internal CSDS teams—ensuring that digital services remain secure, scalable, and aligned with the province’s evolving needs. You’ll also help build capability within the organization by mentoring technical teams and contributing to a culture of innovation, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

If you’re energized by solving complex problems, shaping enterprise security architecture, and contributing to a mission driven organization that protects and supports Nova Scotians every day, this opportunity offers meaningful impact and room to grow.

Primary Accountabilities

As a Technical Architect in Firewall Operations, you will shape and strengthen the security infrastructure that protects Nova Scotia’s public sector digital ecosystem. You will lead the design and evolution of enterprise grade DNS, load balancing, and firewall services, ensuring they are resilient, high performing, and aligned with security best practices.

In this role, you will :

• Design, optimize, and safeguard Infoblox DNS services to ensure high availability, performance, and secure delivery of critical provincial systems.
• Architect and manage F5 BIG IP platforms (including Velos Chassis), overseeing load balancing, SSL, WAF, and traffic optimization to support scalable and secure digital services.
• Lead the configuration and lifecycle management of Cisco Meraki firewalls and cloud managed devices across distributed sites, maintaining secure VPN connectivity and license governance.
• Drive major upgrades and integration initiatives , coordinating solution designs, working directly with vendors, and ensuring smooth implementation of new capabilities.
• Strengthen cyber resilience by developing, improving, and enforcing security policies, standards, and regulatory controls across the environment.
• Champion operational excellence by guiding incident response, leading firmware and software lifecycle activities, and ensuring consistent technical standards, contributing to operational coverage and participating in on call rotations.
• Mentor and empower technical teams , supporting Tier 1 and Tier 2 staff in troubleshooting, skill development, and collaborative problem solving.
• Support enterprise firewall posture through administration of Palo Alto Networks on prem and cloud firewalls.

In this senior technical role, you’ll play a pivotal part in advancing secure digital service delivery for Nova Scotians while shaping the future of provincial network and security architecture.

Qualifications and Experience

Requirements

Assets

We will assess the above qualifications and experience using tools such as assessments, presentations, interviews, reference checks, etc.

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

What We Offer

Pay Grade :   PR 17

Salary Range :   $3,343.61 - $3,927.04 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.