Office Assistant jobs in Canada

Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change’s role is to protect the environment and human health through regulatory excellence, conservation, partnership, and promotion. The department works to support a clean and healthy environment in Nova Scotia, advance a clean economy, addressing the climate crisis and guide the province towards a sustainable and clean future where all Nova Scotians can thrive.

This position is based in our Climate Change Division. We help multiple stakeholders to understand and strategically apply climate change adaptation in their activities and services, so they can succeed in a changing climate.

We are looking for a seasoned expert in climate change adaptation who remains at the forefront of this fast-evolving field. Success in this role requires a dynamic, future-oriented professional who thrives in fast-paced settings and is committed to meaningful climate action in support of evolving government priorities.

The scope of work includes:

• Assess current and future adaptation needs in the context of emerging government priorities, such as responsible development of natural resources, resilient infrastructure, coastal protection and affordability.
• Identify and establish adaptation projects with other government departments and outside partners that are effective and aligned with government priorities.
• Develop innovative services and solutions to emerging needs, including informing Climate Change Plan renewal and participation in special projects.
• Offer expert advice on adaptation options to government and partners that strengthens provincial resilience and supports sustainable economic growth.
• Facilitate meetings and collaborative sessions.
• Lead procurement, contract development and related processes.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to colleagues on climate adaptation.

• Provide strategic guidance in the development and implementation of adaptation programs and review and refine adaptation projects to ensure they are informed by climate science, emerging adaptation practices, and designed to effectively reduce climate risks to public well-being, while strengthening resilience.
• Offer expert advice on adaptation options to municipalities, business sectors, and communities’ organizations so they are empowered to act on climate change to reduce economic losses while implementing adaptation actions and projects.
• Build and maintain strong, accountable partnerships with internal and external stakeholders—including all levels of government and external organizations—to develop adaptation initiatives, share tools and information, and foster broad support for climate action.
• Play a lead role in the development of performance targets for adaptation projects, as well as the monitoring, evaluation, and continuous improvement of these initiatives based on assessment of data and stakeholder feedback.
• Develop and revise informational materials, including Memorandums, Briefing Notes and Presentations, to support senior-leadership decision-making, with the responsibility to promptly incorporate feedback.
• Mentor other team members on climate adaptation to strengthen their capacity and ensure alignment with organizational goals and science-informed climate practices.
• Collaborate proactively and accountably with colleagues across divisions and teams within the department to ensure alignment and shared responsibility in advancing adaptation goals.

As the successful candidate, you will hold a bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences, economics, sustainability studies, planning or a related field, along with a minimum of six years of progressive work experience specifically focused on climate change adaptation.

Other required qualifications include:

• Deep knowledge of climate change projections and impacts for Atlantic Canada, and adaptation theory and practice locally, nationally, and internationally.
• Proven ability to apply climate literacy to design and implement effective, on-the-ground climate adaptation initiatives, demonstrating measurable success in enhancing community resilience and sustainability.
• Demonstrated strength in synthesizing complex, multi-source data and information into actionable insights, with exceptional written and verbal communication that engages and informs varied audiences with clarity and influence.
• Experience in providing strategic guidance and mentorship to multistakeholder teams.
• Skilled at managing conflict and supporting healthy communications on complex multistakeholder environments, with a diplomatic approach that builds trust and facilitates collaboration across diverse perspectives.
• Detail oriented, meticulous and highly organized, with a proactive mindset and a demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage tight deadlines, ensuring delivery of high-quality products.
• Extensive experience in strategic planning, applying data-driven approaches, theoretical frameworks, and best practices to design and execute innovative, evidence-based solutions to multifaceted challenges.
• Experienced in assessing the effectiveness and impact of ongoing initiatives using data and stakeholder input to refine and develop new programs aligned with government goals and climate adaptation efforts.
• Flexibility and ability to adapt to changing context or circumstances.

Assets include:

• Certification in Public Sector or Government Administration (e.g., Certified Government Administrator, Public Administration Certificate, or equivalent).
• Certification in Project Management.

Equivalency includes, but not limited to:

• Master’s degree in environmental sciences, economics, sustainability studies, planning or a related field, along with a minimum of 4 years of progressive work experience specifically focused on climate change adaptation.
• PhD in environmental sciences, economics, sustainability studies, planning or a related field, along with a minimum of 2 years of progressive work experience specifically focused on climate change adaptation.

An equivalent combination of training, education and experience will be considered. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

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. Information on all benefit program offerings is available to government employees.

• Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day (may be required to work overtime on occasion).
• Staff are required to work from the Halifax Downtown office at least a few days per week. Hybrid work arrangements are permitted in accordance with department-specific flexible working schedules.
• Travel across the province may be required.

• Career development with guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
• Engaging workplace where employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in with forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• Countless career paths.
• Department-specific flexible working schedules.

Pay Grade: PR 17

Salary Range: $3,107.16- $3,649.33 Bi-Weekly

Employment Equity Statement:

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce representative of the citizens we serve. 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 the designated link. External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service bargaining unit candidates. Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or 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 may be directed to Competitions at novascotia.ca.