Competition #: 44016
Department: Justice
Location: HALIFAX
Type of Employment: Permanent
Union Status: Exclusion - Non Union - NSPG
Closing Date: 23-Sep-24 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Accessibility Directorate is a dynamic and committed team that is leading and coordinating Nova Scotia's work toward our goal of an accessible province by 2030. We work together with Nova Scotians with disabilities, community and disability organizations, government departments, municipalities and villages, other public sector bodies, businesses, and other partners to support the cultural shift needed to implement the Accessibility Act and address disability-related issues across government.

Since the team was established in 2017, we have built relationships within government and with public sector and community partners to support efforts to improve accessibility, including Government's first two accessibility plans; beginning development of accessibility standards in all six areas: Built Environment, Education, Employment, Goods and Services, Public Transportation, and Information and Communication; collaborating with public sector bodies to support the development and implementation of accessibility plans and initiatives across the province; and developing accessibility awareness resources and initiatives, including the public awareness campaign "Access Includes Everyone" with the related website https://accessible.novascotia.ca/

Learn more about our work to ensure Nova Scotians with disabilities can enjoy all this province has to offer, at home, school, work and in community, on the Accessibility Directorate website: https://novascotia.ca/accessibility/

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Executive Director, who serves as the Director of Compliance, you will develop, plan, implement, and manage the enforcement and compliance program under the Nova Scotia Accessibility Act. As a Manager, you provide strategic advice to the Minister of Justice, Deputy Minister and senior management of the Department on compliance and enforcement to advance government's goal of an accessible Nova Scotia by 2030.

You will be responsible for leadership, project management, implementation and evaluation of significant compliance and enforcement initiatives to advance the goals of the Accessibility Act and commitments outlined in Access by Design 2030 and Government's Response to the Nova Scotia Accessibility Act Review. You will develop and recommend government policies, procedures, legislation, and regulations which may have a direct impact on persons with disabilities in Nova Scotia. You will collaborate with other provincial government departments, other levels of government, agencies, disability organizations and persons with disabilities to advance accessibility in Nova Scotia.

Primary Accountabilities

• Lead the strategic direction and operations of the Compliance Team (Coordinator, Senior Policy Analyst) and overseeing its approach, progress, and strategic growth.
• Maintain effective and collaborative relationships with municipal, provincial, and federal governments, public sector bodies, disability organizations, persons with disabilities, and the private and non-profit sector.
• Analyze reports and prepare summary and briefings to the Executive Director and other senior officials.
• Partner to drive the culture change needed to meet the goal of an accessible Nova Scotia by 2030.
• Represent the Department on government, industry, public/private, inter-department and internal committees, project teams, and at conferences and meetings.
• Provide direction and support to complex submissions to Executive Council and Finance and Treasury Board on compliance, consult with persons with disabilities and impacted sectors, develop and participate in briefings and presentations to senior leadership as required.
• Ensure the effective management of human and financial resources by setting and evaluating staff performance targets, promoting diversity and a healthy workplace, demonstrating leadership competencies, respecting corporate human resources practices, promoting teamwork and individual development, maintaining internal communications, monitoring expenditures while adhering to procurement guidelines. providing direction, training, and supervision to the compliance staff.
• Leads the development of operating procedures for verifying non-compliance of accessibility standards.
• Develop business cases, programs and new regulations to support compliance and enforcement.
• Develop procedures and process for verifying non-compliance.
• Procure a database system for compliance and enforcement monitoring and compliance tracking.
• Establish a collaborative committee of first-voice (persons with disabilities) experts to work with Accessibility Directorate to provide advice and support on the Responsive Compliance and Enforcement Framework and on impact assessment.
• Oversee the public reporting of non compliance and establish systems for tracking inquires and complaints re standard areas and plans.
• Develop and implement an annual risk-based enforcement plan.

Qualifications and Experience

As the ideal candidate, you have a university degree, with several years of progressive experience in a compliance and enforcement role. An equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered.

In addition, you must possess the following skills/competencies:

• ability to develop and maintain partnerships.
• Sound knowledge of all aspects of the policy development process and significant experience in development of policy frameworks, policies and procedures, and regulations.
• Significant experience in project management, leading multi-disciplinary project teams, and conducting in-depth policy research and analysis.
• strong problem resolution and analytical skills.
• ability to work well under pressure.
• excellent communications skills.
• intercultural and diversity proficiency.
• ability to make difficult decisions, and to balance conflicting priorities.

The following would be viewed as assets:

• Expertise in accessibility related legislation, policy and regulations would be 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

This position requires some evening and weekend work, sometimes with short notice.

Additional Information

We also welcome applications from outside of the Halifax Regional Municipality as partial remote work may be considered.

Persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

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

Pay Grade: EC 12
Salary Range: $3,687.15 - $4,608.93 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 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.

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].