Department: Opportunities and Social Development
Location: SYDNEY
Type of Employment: Permanent
Union Status: Exclusion - Non Union - NSPG
Closing Date: 28-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).
The Disability Support Program (DSP) is committed to fostering innovative ways to empower individuals with disabilities to pursue their vision of a fulfilling life. We are on a journey to implement international best practices that uphold human rights and choice to enhance the way people engage with their communities. We envision Nova Scotia as a place where people with disabilities can choose the life they want to live, in communities that are welcoming, inclusive, and supportive. A life where individuals can build authentic relationships, explore their interests, and achieve their full potential as valued citizens in their community

PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITIES

As Team Lead, you will be responsible for leading a dedicated team and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, inclusive, and human-centred programs within their region, including:

• Managing the delivery of Disability Support Programs; ensuring regional needs are met
• Providing recommendations for program improvements and monitoring their delivery and evaluation.
• Full responsibility for the recruitment, selection, and onboarding of their team members, as well as the discipline, performance management and grievance procedures.
• Leading your team through change, providing coaching, performance management, conflict resolution, and professional development.
• Mentoring your team to achieve the short-term and long-term priorities of the department.
• Building and nurturing partnerships within communities including leading the promotion of local and people-centre services and developing leadership of persons with disabilities in the ongoing improvement of DSP Programs.
• Championing inclusivity and a human-centred approaches in all aspects of your work.
• Fostering authentic professional relationships in both the workplace and within community.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Completed post-secondary education in Management, Social Sciences, Disability Supports, Human/ Social Services or Health Care Related fields, plus several years of related experience. An equivalent combination of training and experience will be considered.
You possess a genuine passion for people and human rights, fostering a positive, strengths-based, person-centered culture. You have several years of related experience in the implementation of disability services and programs, combined with team leadership experience.

You must also demonstrate:

• Strong relationship management skills to partner with the community members and within your local area to develop and implement individual-specific services.
• Leadership skills to help your team navigate through changes aligning with the new DSP framework.
• Collaborative work experience to work alongside other Team Leads in maintaining equitable and standardized process for selection, onboarding, coaching and management of team members.
• Skills in interpreting information, particularly pertaining to the DSP remedy, and providing expert guidance for program delivery and compliance.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and empathy for conflict resolution and navigation in ambiguous situations.
• Understanding of the challenging circumstances faced by individuals with disabilities and mental health conditions, and an awareness of the compounded impact of intersectionality on their experiences.

While not required, the following are considered assets:

• experience in leading teams through change
• management experience in a unionized environment
• experience in grievance procedures
• certification in Project Management

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.

• Managing the delivery of Disability Support Programs; ensuring regional needs are met
• Providing recommendations for program improvements and monitoring their delivery and evaluation.
• Full responsibility for the recruitment, selection, and onboarding of their team members, as well as the discipline, performance management and grievance procedures.
• Leading your team through change, providing coaching, performance management, conflict resolution, and professional development.
• Mentoring your team to achieve the short-term and long-term priorities of the department.
• Building and nurturing partnerships within communities including leading the promotion of local and people-centre services and developing leadership of persons with disabilities in the ongoing improvement of DSP Programs.
• Championing inclusivity and a human-centred approaches in all aspects of your work.
• Fostering authentic professional relationships in both the workplace and within community