Opportunities: Social Worker 1-2

Competition # : 47703 

Department: Opportunities and Social Development

Location: DARTMOUTH

Type of Employment: Term

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG 

Closing Date: 20-Jan-26  (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

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.

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.

Conducting Interviews and Home Visits

• Schedule and conduct in-depth interviews with applicants, individually and as a couple (if applicable).
• Conduct home visits to assess safety, physical environment, and suitability of the home for fostering or adoption.
• Engage with all household members and significant supports as part of the assessment process.

Completing Structured Analysis (SAFE) Tools

• Administer and interpret standardized SAFE tools (e.g., questionnaires, family genograms, eco-maps, and home studies).
• Analyze applicant histories, motivations, and psychosocial functioning using the SAFE framework.
• Identify strengths, risks, and areas requiring further exploration.

Documenting Findings

• Prepare comprehensive, strengths-based, and analytical SAFE assessment reports.
• Clearly articulate risk factors and protective factors to inform approval decisions.
• Ensure all documentation meets agency standards and regulatory requirements.

Coordinating with Other Professionals

• Collaborate with adoption and foster care supervisors, licensing workers, and caseworkers.
• Participate in case conferencing and consultation to inform decision-making.
• Liaise with legal, clinical, or supervisory teams when complex issues arise.

Managing Caseloads and Timelines

• Maintain an organized caseload of assigned families.
• Track and meet required timelines for initiating, progressing, and completing assessments.
• Provide regular updates to supervisors and stakeholders on progress.

Providing Education and Support

• Educate applicants on the fostering/adoption process, expectations, and responsibilities.
• Offer trauma-informed guidance on parenting strategies and child development topics.
• Refer applicants to training, counseling, or support services when necessary.

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.

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 with the possibility of flexible working options available.

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.

This is a Term opportunity with an anticipated end date of October 10, 2027. The appointment status ('term', 'temporary' or 'casual') is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate. 

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, $3,477.51 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, 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

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