Competition # : 46060
Department: Natural Resources
Location: HALIFAX
Type of Employment: Term
Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG
Closing Date: 11-Jun-25 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Geological Survey Division of the Department of Natural Resources is responsible for acquiring, evaluating, managing, and disseminating information about the province's geology. This geoscientific information is used for a wide variety of applications, including geological and water resource assessment, environmental protection, and land use planning. The Survey provides geoscience information to support Government decision-making and policy formulation to manage geological resources and to protect public health, safety and infrastructure from geological hazards.

About Our Opportunity

As a member of Nova Scotia's Geological Survey team, the Surficial Geologist will apply expert geoscientific research skills to characterize Quaternary to modern surficial deposits across Nova Scotia in support of geohazard assessment, coastal erosion analysis and mineral exploration.

Primary Accountabilities

The Surficial Geologist will lead the geological and geomorphological characterization of Nova Scotia's surficial deposits. This role requires undertaking research into the relationship between bedrock geology and glacial deposits, the role of surficial deposit properties in geohazards and coastal erosion and the use of till stratigraphy and geochemistry in mineral exploration. The Surficial Geologist must be familiar with Quaternary geoscience, established surficial geoscientific mapping and sampling methodologies, glacial deposit interpretation, sediment thickness modeling, till geochemistry and the interpretation of glacial stratigraphy. The surficial geologist must have experience in using GIS in surficial geoscience work and will collaborate with GIS staff.

You will be required to develop and manage one or more project plans including designing, managing and reporting on day-to-day operations including logistics, financial and human resources requirements. You will design field projects to be delivered on time and within budget within the division operating plan and budget.

You must demonstrate judgment and initiative in collecting and interpreting surficial geoscientific data and can effectively communicate your results. You will prepare, edit and peer review scientific manuscripts for publication and are familiar with GIS applications for building surficial geoscience models and products.

You will advise, consult with and provide geoscience, technical and regulatory expertise to management, government departments and agencies, committees, academia, and industry as appropriate.

You will present scientific papers and technical expertise on programs to various audiences, and will attend appropriate technical meetings, conferences, workshops and seminars, as required and will build internal and external research partnerships in surficial geoscience.

This role may assist in and/or lead the supervision of permanent, casual, temporary or term staff or contractors and may be required to supervise or mentor one or more summer students, and perform other duties as assigned.

About You

To be successful in the role you must have at a minimum a B.Sc. in geology, earth sciences or environmental geosciences plus a minimum of 5 years' experience in surficial geoscience, or an M.Sc. with 4 years of related experience. You must hold or be eligible for Professional Geoscientist designation in Nova Scotia.

You must hold a valid Nova Scotia drivers license.

To be successful in this role, you must have the ability to exercise independent judgement as the incumbent designs and implements self-directed initiatives. You must have a proven ability to build positive and productive relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders and partners. You must have a strong ability to contribute to diverse working groups across multiple sectors and be able to represent the Geoscience and Mines Branch professionally. Excellent written and oral communication skills are essential as well as the ability to work both independently and in a team environment. You must have strong analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

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.

Working Conditions

The position requires an individual with an ability to be self-directed as well as work within a team. You will be expected to undertake field work which may require overnight travel and travel by helicopter.

Additional Information

PLEASE NOTE: This is a TERM employment opportunity with an anticipated end date of March 31, 2027. The appointment status ('term', 'temporary' or 'casual') is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.

What We Offer

• 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
• Department specific flexible working schedules

Pay Grade: PR 15
Salary Range: $2,760.42 - $3,364.90 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].

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].