Department of Community Services

The typical day at the Department of Community Services was covering the reception desk for breaks. This include answering the phones, greeting clients.  I also typed notes from a Dictaphone to their database, filed, fax and photo copied documents.

The most enjoyable part was the people that worked there, they were very friendly and seemed very happy to have the other students and myself help them out in their very busy office.

I worked with a group of fun loving caring supervisors and staff members who always cared about the needs of the families we served by trying to always be accommodating to the needs of the parents and foster care families. Supervisors worked well with staff by listening to the needs of all parties. I am still invited out once a year with the wonderful staff and will always be super grateful for the wonderful staff members, families and supervisors I got to work with! This was a wonderful place to learn and a great collaborative team environment! I loved working here:)

I worked with DCS for 8yrs as a Counsellor llA in multiple offices. All managed the same,  the bottom dollar is their only concern. This is shown through the poor service given to children in need and high roll over of service workers in all offices. My coworkers all lived working with children in need but management made it impossible to do it right, humanely and with dignity. Many of us are forced to leave DCS because of poor management. 

I had a very good time working for Communtiy Services in Nova Scotia. The staff were very nice and helpfull. Most days I was booked ahead of time but somedays we were led the seat of our pants.This means somedays we were told very little about the clients and were we were goimg, so I had to figure were we were going and who we were going to meet.   So It was a adventure . The foster parents were very nice and most social workers did care about their clients. The other people I worked with were helpful and we got along.

Providing assistance in delivery Housing Grants to lower income families and Seniors is very rewarding.  Knowing you have helped those in need is one of the most rewarding things in life.  You cannot judge people at any time.  Work very closely with your co-workers.  Hardest part of the job is telling someone they do not qualify.  Things go smoothly when all parties are on the same page and back you up when a decision has to be made.

Very challenging work, chronic understaffing, lack of mental health resources for staff, unmanageable workload, lack of resources to help staff deal with vicarious trauma, disconnect between management and front line workers, abusive management practices, low morale 

*this review is based on being casual in government* 

Dartmouth district office is horrible. Don’t work there if you’re casual. Coworkers are amazing. Management is power obsessed. They will exploit you and your time for as long as you allow them. 

The work can be rewarding when you  witness client's overcoming challenges however the pay is not enough for what we put in. The notetaking is tedious and time consuming and takes away from the time we should be putting in with our clients.

Very busy, fast paced, stressful office
the phones are very busy and walk-ins vary
a lot of complaints regarding workers not returning calls
dealing with kids who are taken from families
I enjoy the good days and am grateful for what I have

i would not recommend this employer...they do not respect their employees ... there are oh&s issues...long hours...inadequate staffing...unsafe working conditions...micro management

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