Adoption and Foster Care Social Worker (Social Worker 1(A)-(B)-2)

The Government of Nova Scotia; Dartmouth; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A provincial government agency is hiring Social Workers in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia to positively impact vulnerable families and children. The ideal candidate will have a BSW/MSW and a valid driver's license. This role involves working directly with families and communities, conducting assessments, and advocating for children's well-being. The position offers flexible working arrangements and various benefits including health insurance and a pension plan.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Reimbursement for registration fees

Travel and car allowance

Employee and Family Assistance Programs

Health, Dental, and Life Insurance

Qualifications

• Qualification for registration with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers.
• Understanding of child development and family dynamics.
• Experience in trauma-informed care and counselling.

Responsibilities

• Ensure health, safety, and well-being of children.
• Collaborate with families and communities.
• Participate in risk assessments and court testimonies.

Skills

Team player

Compassionate

Problem-solving

Resourceful

Education

Bachelor of Social Work or Master of Social Work

Tools

Valid driver's license

Job description

Competition # : 47427

Department : Opportunities and Social Development

Location : DARTMOUTH

Type of Employment : Permanent

Union Status : NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date : 20-Nov-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

Are you seeking a career where you have endless opportunities to positively impact the lives of vulnerable children and families?

We are hiring Social Workers across Nova Scotia in our Adoption, Foster Care, Disclosure Program, Screening and Regional Resource programs.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 providing ongoing services to parents and children, and collaborate with program areas to assess families for the placement of children. You will join an interdisciplinary team and have an opportunity to positively bring about change.

Notice to Pending Social Work Graduates : If you are a few months away from graduation of your BSW / MSW program, you are encouraged to apply.

Primary Accountabilities

Social Workers ensure the health, safety, and well-being of children in the care of the Minister and those who remain in the care of their parents where concerns exist about their health and safety. 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 :

• Collaborating with individuals, families and communities
• Planning, developing, and monitoring case plans with birth families kinship caregivers, foster parents, adopting parents, childcare staff
• 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
• Recruiting, preparing, assessing, and supporting foster and adoptive parents

Qualifications and Experience

A completed Bachelor of Social Work or Master of Social Work is required as well as a valid drivers license. You must be eligible for registration with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers ( NSCSW ).

You are also :

• A strong team player
• Empowered to impact change
• Compassionate, reliable, and resourceful.

You are understanding of child development, family dynamics, trauma-informed care, counselling, community resources, and are well versed in effective intervention strategies. Your problem-solving skills and experience, combined with your creative thinking, work to strengthen, and improve support while working with children and families.

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

Most of your work involves meeting with clients in their homes or with service providers. This necessitates considerable driving time, sometimes in adverse weather conditions. While present in the office, your time is spent a comfortable office environment withthe possibility of 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 be required to work beyond regular business hours on short notice.

Your resiliency is essential to meet the physical and emotional demands of this position. You will be immersed in high-stress and crises, with plenty of support and resources accessible to you. You must be able to work under pressure and be personally and professionally committed to inclusively working with culturally diverse individuals.

What We Offer

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

• Reimbursement for your registration fees to the NS College of Social Workers.
• Flexible working arrangements including modified work weeks.
• Out-of-province applicants may be eligible to apply for moving expenses .
• Ability to earn overtime and shift premiums for weekend and after-hours work.
• Travel and car allowance.
• Career possibilities , guidance and coaching, and ongoing training.
• Three (3) weeks vacation to start, and annual pay progression .
• Employee and Family Assistance Programs ( EFAP )
• Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability
• Defined Pension Benefit Plan .

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

Pay Grade : PR 09- PR 15

Salary Range : $2,173.77- $3,364.90Bi-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 Womenin 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 [e-mail].

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 concernsmay be directed to [e-mail].