Administrative secretary Jobs in Halifax, NS

Competition # :   45684

Department :   Opportunities and Social Development

Location :   HALIFAX

Type of Employment :   Term

Union Status :   NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date :   ​ 09-Apr-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

As the Executive Assistant (Secretary 3), you’ll be at the heart of our Strategic Operations and Innovations (SOI), providing high-level administrative support to the Executive Director and SOI team. From managing daily functions to coordinating financial processes, HR requirements, and procurement approvals, your work helps keep everything on track. You’ll collaborate with senior government officials, streamline systems, and overall ensure that the division runs efficiently and effectively.

Primary Accountabilities

Your keen attention to detail and problem-solving skills will contribute directly to the success of the broader team. You’ll play a crucial role in ensuring that documents, processes, and communications are accurate and professional. In addition, you will be responsibly for :

• M anaging calendars, scheduling meetings, coordinating travel, and ensuring the efficient operation of office equipment and supplies. You will also prepare correspondence, reports, and presentations for leadership review.
• Directing inquiries, prioritizing urgent matters, and following up to ensure timely responses.
• Ensuring effective communication with senior officials, the Deputy Minister’s office, and other partners.
• Supporting budget forecasting, tracking expenditures, processing invoices, and managing procurement activities.
• Developing tracking systems for performance management, projects and action items, and ministerial approvals.
• Maintaining personnel records, assisting with hiring processes.
• Leading administrative projects, identifying process improvements, and ensuring alignment with divisional goals.

Qualifications and Experience

Completion of a one-year business course combined with four (4) years of related administrative experience is required, or an equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered.

You must have :

While not required, it is an asset if you have :

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

We recognize equivalent combinations of training, education, and experience, providing opportunities for individuals with diverse backgrounds to contribute their skills and expertise. Equivalencies include, but are not limited to :

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

Salary Information

CL 22 -

1,934.21 - $2,139.34

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

You will be working within a high-paced, busy office environment with strict deadlines. Most of your time is spent in a comfortable office setting and on occasion may be required to work in the community when setting up meetings and information sessions. Your normal work week is 35 hours / week, 7 hours / day. You may be required to work overtime on occasion. Occasionally you may need to move or lift objects such as boxes, inventory, or files.

Additional Information

This is a TERM employment opportunity with an anticipated end date of April 1st, 2026 . The appointment status (‘term’, ‘temporary’ or ‘casual’) is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.

What We Offer

Pay Grade :   CL 22

Salary Range :   $1,934.21 - $2,139.34 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.

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

[email protected].