Department: Public Works
Location: BIBLE HILL
Type of Employment: Term
Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG
Closing Date: 16-Jun-26 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)
Building and maintaining our Provincial infrastructure is no small job.
The Department of Public Works supports Nova Scotia’s 23,000 kilometers of roads and highways and 4,100 bridges. We are responsible for managing major capital construction projects, snow and ice control services, along with road maintenance and repair services.
We’re recruiting for an Engineering and Survey Technician to support the Western District. If you’re looking for an opportunity to explore the outdoors and beauty of Nova Scotia, and watch your hands-on experiences come to life as you support the development and construction of various projects, then this is the opportunity for you.
As the Engineering and Survey Technician, you will be working within the Maintenance & Operations Division. In this role you will be conducting a broad range of surveying and engineering related duties in conjunction with the administration, maintenance and operations of highways and bridges.
In this role, your focus will be reviewing and administering Work Within Highway Right-of Way Permits and assessing subdivision/development plans. You will also be responsible for:
assisting with contract administration and collecting, compiling and presenting data collected during field work and determining quantities of materials for use on projects;
assisting supervisors and managers with maintenance project planning, designs, permitting and oversight;
conducting field surveys to confirm property and highway boundaries;
collecting field survey data with GPS and total station equipment, plotting and preparing CAD drawings and sketches;
maintaining and disseminating signage and pavement marking plans, highway right-of-way plans, and other official records;
coordinating winter salt management;
periodically confirming accurate inventory levels during summer and winter operations;
assessing lot access, road frontage and preparing response letters for subdivision applications;
providing surveys, calculations and preparing permits for environmental work such as culverts, shoreline protection projects; and
reviewing and updating road lists.
Half of your time will be spent working outdoors in various weather conditions on heavily traveled roads or in rough, isolated areas on construction sites, and the other half will be spent working in an office.
Graduation from a two (2) year Survey or Civil Technology course. A Certified Engineering Technologist in a related field with related experience construction, maintenance, or planning will be considered.
Frequent travel throughout your assigned area is a component of this position; as such, you must have a valid driver's license and access to a reliable motor vehicle.
As the ideal candidate, you:
- are a self-motivated individual who works well independently with minimal supervision;
- participate fully as an effective team player;
- are experienced with current AutoCAD™ software packages designed for use in a surveying or engineering environment;
- are familiar with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulations, and safe working practices; and
- have experience in the use of spreadsheet software, word processing, and email applications.
Working knowledge of the various aspects of bridge and highway construction design standards, contract specifications, the Land Surveyors Act and familiarity working in a union environment would be considered assets. Familiarity with watercourse alteration and fish passage design guidelines would also be considered assets.
You consistently maintain a professional and courteous disposition and hold a high standard for client and customer service. In this position, you will interact with the public, internal and external stakeholders and monitor the work of contract personnel. As such, your ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing, develop strong relationships with clients, and think and act proactively is essential to your success.
We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one of more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentation, interview(s), and reference checks.
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.
Your work will be evenly divided between the office and the great outdoors, experiencing all seasons and weather conditions on busy roads or rugged, remote construction sites.
This is a Term employment opportunity with an anticipated end date of July 5, 2027. The appointment status (Term, Temporary or Casual) is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.
A monthly car allowance is available for Public Works Engineering Survey Technicians. The current rate for the 2026-2027 fiscal year is $568.53/bi-weekly or $14,781.84/annually. Rates for the allowance are adjusted up or down annually based on the year over year percentage change in the Nova Scotia Private Transportation Index as calculated by Statistics Canada.
This position may require you to work extended hours / overtime and will involve significant travel throughout the province, using your personally owned vehicle.
- Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
- Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
- Countless career paths.
Pay Grade: TE 16 - TE 23
Salary Range: $1,905.03 - $2,944.94 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.
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 [email protected].
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.
If you are receiving a pension from the Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan (PSSP) or any related plans, you cannot receive pension payments while contributing to the same plan. If you accept a position that requires PSSP contributions, your pension payments must be stopped. Please contact the Nova Scotia Pension Services Corporation for more 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].
