Department: Opportunities and Social Development
Location: TRURO
Type of Employment: Term
Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG
Closing Date: 29-Aug-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

In this role, you will work to ensure the safety, well-being, and resilience of children and families through direct engagement, assessment, and support. Your work will include:

• Collaborating with children, families, kinship caregivers, foster parents, adoptive parents, and community partners to develop and monitor case plans, conduct risk assessments, and advocate for access to resources.
• Supervising and planning for children in the care of the Minister, participate in court proceedings, and contribute to evaluations and decision-making processes.
• SAFE Assessments (First Six Months) – Recruit, prepare, and assess foster and adoptive parents using the Structured Analysis Family Evaluation (SAFE) framework. This includes:
• Conducting interviews, home visits, and safety assessments
• Administering and interpreting SAFE tools such as questionnaires, genograms, eco-maps, and home studies
• Preparing detailed, strengths-based assessment reports to inform approval decisions
• Working closely with supervisors, caseworkers, licensing staff, legal and clinical teams, and other professionals to address complex issues and ensure timely completion of assessments.
• Providing trauma-informed education to prospective foster/adoptive parents, connect them to training and support services, and offer guidance on child development and parenting strategies.
• Maintaining organized records, meet regulatory timelines, and provide progress updates to supervisors and stakeholders.

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.

• Collaborating with children, families, kinship caregivers, foster parents, adoptive parents, and community partners to develop and monitor case plans, conduct risk assessments, and advocate for access to resources.
• Supervising and planning for children in the care of the Minister, participate in court proceedings, and contribute to evaluations and decision-making processes.
• SAFE Assessments (First Six Months) – Recruit, prepare, and assess foster and adoptive parents using the Structured Analysis Family Evaluation (SAFE) framework. This includes:
• Conducting interviews, home visits, and safety assessments
• Administering and interpreting SAFE tools such as questionnaires, genograms, eco-maps, and home studies
• Preparing detailed, strengths-based assessment reports to inform approval decisions
• Working closely with supervisors, caseworkers, licensing staff, legal and clinical teams, and other professionals to address complex issues and ensure timely completion of assessments.
• Providing trauma-informed education to prospective foster/adoptive parents, connect them to training and support services, and offer guidance on child development and parenting strategies.
• Maintaining organized records, meet regulatory timelines, and provide progress updates to supervisors and stakeholders