Competition # : 49745
Department: Opportunities and Social Development
Location: Flexible between Barrington Passage, Yarmouth, or Digby offices
Type of Employment: Permanent
Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG
Closing Date: 20-Sep-26 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)
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 the 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.
We are looking for passionate, values-driven people to join our team as Intensive Planning and Support Coordinators (IPSCs), a vital new role helping bring to life the Human Rights Remedy and create real change in the lives of people with disabilities.
As an IPSC, you’ll work alongside individuals at the speed of trust, specifically those transitioning from institutional settings or with complex support needs, helping them shape their own futures. You’ll build strong, trusting relationships, focus on each person’s unique strengths, and support them to live full, inclusive lives as active citizens in their communities.
This is a transformative, human-rights-based role. You’ll work closely with clinical and allied health professionals, mainstream services, and local communities, building partnerships that strengthen the support around each person. You’ll be a key advocate for the individuals you support, ensuring their voices are heard and their choices respected.
We’re looking for people who are compassionate, adaptable, and committed to a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach. You’ll need to be comfortable working independently and tailoring your support to each person’s communication style, creating a safe, respectful space where people can express themselves and make their own decisions.
As an Intensive Planning and Support Coordinator (IPSC), you will play a key role in providing intensive, personalized support and planning. You’ll work alongside individuals with disabilities to create, implement, and continuously refine support plans that reflect their unique needs, aspirations, and rights.
You’ll build strong, respectful relationships with individuals and their support networks. By gathering and assessing information together, you’ll support informed decision-making and help connect people with the services and professionals that best fit their goals.
A big part of your work will involve supporting individuals as they move from institutional settings into community life. You’ll coordinate these transitions thoughtfully, making sure each step is supported and centred on the person’s vision for their future.
In this dynamic role, you’ll balance multiple priorities while maintaining strong relationships with service providers, government agencies, healthcare professionals, and community organizations.
You’ll use your knowledge of multidisciplinary services to build partnerships and strengthen community capacity. This includes helping individuals access the right resources while also working to improve the systems around them.
Creating inclusive, person-centred plans means bringing the right people together. You’ll help build connections to natural support networks, peer supports, and community relationships that reflect each individual’s culture, values, and preferences.
Throughout your work, you’ll be guided by a deep commitment to person-directed planning, supportive decision-making, and the rights of people with disabilities, as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This is a role where your compassion, creativity, and advocacy can help create meaningful, lasting change in people’s lives.
You are a Licensed Professional in Nursing (RN or LPN), Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy or Nutritional Studies, plus five (5) years of related experience. You must be currently registered, or eligible for registration, with your applicable professional association.
A valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation are required (as an inclusive employer, we are committed to considering accommodations in accordance with the Human Rights Act). In addition, you have:
- Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive support plans tailored to individual needs and aspirations.
- Skills in facilitating and promoting supportive decision-making practices.
- An understanding of trauma and its impact, with the ability to adapt support approaches.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information in an accessible manner.
- Proven ability to establish and maintain trusting relationships with individuals, families, support networks, and professional partners.
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, capable of mediating complex personal and environmental dynamics to develop innovative solutions.
- Experience in collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, including healthcare professionals, service providers, and community organizations.
- Strong advocacy skills, cultural competence, and an understanding of Disability Rights and Legislation as well as community resources and services
Assets include:
- A completed related Master's degree
- Additional certifications or training in trauma-informed care, disability rights, or community engagement.
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.
We recognize equivalent combinations of training, education, and experience, providing opportunities for individuals with diverse backgrounds to contribute their skills and expertise. Equivalencies include:
- a Master's degree in either Nursing, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy or Nutritional Studies plus three (3)years of related experience.
Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.
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.
The IPSC will travel to various locations including homes, facilities, and hospitals, supporting individuals with disabilities, including those with complex needs. The role involves extensive driving, entering private residences, and occasional lifting. Travel is required throughout the region or province, under varying weather conditions. The role requires resilience in handling emotional situations, potential aggression, and navigating diverse family dynamics. IPSCs must make professional judgments in complex situations and work inclusively with culturally diverse individuals. This environment underscores the importance of adaptability and emotional resilience.
The position's worksite location is flexible between either Barrington Passage, Yarmouth, or Digby office locations.
We may use this posting to fill additional IPSC roles within 4 months of the closing date of this competition.
- 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: PR 14
Salary Range: $2,912.93 - $3,547.06 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).
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].
