Caseworker 1(A)-(B)-2(A)-(B)

Government of Nova Scotia; Sydney, Halifax; Hybrid; CAD 22,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined Benefit Pension Plan

Health benefits

Dental benefits

Life Insurance

Short and Long Term Disability

Vacation

Employee Assistance Programs

Job summary

The Government of Nova Scotia is seeking a Caseworker for the Child Care Subsidy Program. This term position, based in Sydney or Halifax, involves determining eligibility for the program, managing a caseload, and collaborating with families and community partners.

Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor’s degree focused on early childhood education or social sciences. Excellent communication, organizational, and crisis intervention skills are essential, along with proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree focused on early childhood education or social sciences.
• Demonstrated excellent interviewing and crisis intervention skills.
• Strong understanding of budgetary and case management concepts.

Responsibilities

• Determine eligibility for the Child Care Subsidy Program.
• Conduct annual reviews for clients' ongoing eligibility.
• Manage a large caseload and respond to inquiries.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Organization skills

Crisis intervention

Team building

Education

Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or social sciences

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Competition #

49893

Department

Education & Early Childhood Development

Location

Multiple Locations

Type of Employment

Term

Union Status

NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date

05-Oct-26 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) branch of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development supports families across Nova Scotia by funding, regulating, and strengthening the early learning and child care sector. Through programs such as the Child Care Subsidy Program, we help make regulated child care more affordable and accessible, ensuring children have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive in their early years.

About Our Opportunity

As the Caseworker, you are responsible for determining eligibility for the Child Care Subsidy Program, which aids families in accessing regulated child‑care. The Caseworker reviews all applications to determine eligibility for the program, based on comprehensive financial assessment following departmental guidelines and policies.

The Caseworker works closely with families and community partners, child‑care centre licensees and centre directors. The Caseworker is responsible for managing a large caseload and responding to multiple inquiries from families, child‑care centres, and the public on a daily basis, and has the ability to exercise professional discretion, manage competing interests, while maintaining and building effective relationships. The incumbent may perform other related duties as required.

This position reports to the Childcare Subsidy Manager.

Primary Accountabilities

• Analysis of applicant's income and any special circumstances.
• Responsible for conducting annual reviews to determine each client's ongoing eligibility for the program.
• Ensure that the program is operating effectively and efficiently to serve Nova Scotia families.
• Maintaining up-to-date electronic files.
• Processing subsidy transfers from one regulated program to another.
• Monitoring monthly claims to ensure that families are accessing child‑care and that child‑care centres receive payments on behalf of families.

Qualifications And Experience

To be successful in the role you have a Bachelor’s degree, with a focus on early childhood education or social sciences, or an equivalent combination of training and experience will be considered.

You must demonstrate excellent interviewing, communication (written/verbal), planning/organizational, team building, and crisis intervention skills. You understand budgetary and case management concepts, and demonstrate initiative, sound judgement, and sensitivity to the impact of culture, socioeconomic status, gender, age, and sexual orientation on client experience. You must be able to meet deadlines and deal effectively with difficult situations.

As the successful candidate, you will gather information regarding financial need to determine the eligibility for the Child Care Subsidy Program. You have excellent interpersonal skills, skilled at connecting with a wide range of clients from various social-economic backgrounds. You exercise tact, diplomacy and sound judgement when dealing with internal and external clients and solid decision‑making skills to address complex family and financial situations with confidence.

You possess exceptional organizational skills and the ability to work collaboratively on multiple deadlines simultaneously. You can work independently and in a team environment. You have experience using Microsoft programs (Word, Outlook, Excel) and internet search engines. You understand basic financial concepts and income tax reporting as it pertains to income assessment.

Assets For This Position Include

• Experience reviewing financial information and supporting documentation to determine program eligibility.
• Experience using electronic case management systems and maintaining electronic client files.Knowledge of Nova Scotia's regulated early learning and child care sector.

  Equivalency

  Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

  Benefits

  • Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • Health
  • Dental
  • Life Insurance
  • General illness
  • Short and Long Term Disability
  • Vacation
  • Employee and Family Assistance Programs

  Additional Information

  This is a TERM, full-time position with a projected end date of September 19, 2028.

  Note that the position may be based in either Sydney or Halifax.

  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

  PR 04 - PR 11

  Salary Range

  $1,946.91 - $2,385.98 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 [e-mail].

  This Is a Bargaining Unit Position Initially Restricted To Current Civil Service Employees Represented By The Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU).

  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 [e-mail].