Air Quality Protection Advisor (Program Admin Officer 4)

About Us

Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change’s role is to protect the environment and human health through regulatory excellence, conservation, partnership, and promotion. To achieve this, we strive to develop legislation, regulations and policies, and develop programs for regulated activities based on sound scientific knowledge and expertise.

Department of Environment and Climate Change (novascotia.ca)

About Our Opportunity

Working with a team of professionals, you will be responsible for implementing provincial commitments relating to the monitoring, mitigation and reduction of air pollution and enhancing the long-term environmental and economic stability of the Province. This work will include developing, evaluating and implementing regulations, policies, standards, guidelines and programs for the purpose of reducing and or mitigating negative health and environmental impacts of air pollution from a variety of sources, with a focus on air zone management. This will also include collaborating with and disseminating information to various government, academic, environmental and industrial organizations.

Focusing on Air Zone Management, you will be responsible for developing an approach that enhances the linkages between air quality science, health and sustainable industry in Nova Scotia that works towards continual improvement in air quality. This includes interaction on a technical level with proponents, partners, and consultees, utilizing your ability to interpret scientific information in plain language. You will be able to review and critically assess technical information to determine policy significance and to identify potential strategies and their feasibility, leading to science-informed decision-making. You will provide expertise to Departmental officials on air pollution impacts to achieve regulatory outcomes through risk/opportunity-based assessments to evaluate balance between Government priorities.

You will also review and provide technical advice on air and noise related components of environmental assessments including technical comment on emission inventories, modelling and mitigation. Specialist input with respect to industrial approvals, air emission reports and air dispersion modelling may also be required.

You have the ability to develop and deliver briefing materials, including training, to internal and external audiences that have varying degrees of understanding of air chemistry. You can liaise with other Government officials, showing an understanding of other disciplines and the requirements placed on other Departments by the Government mandate.

Qualifications and Experience

You have a bachelor’s degree in a related science field with five years of relevant experience focused on air quality management and or regulation. An equivalent combination of training and experience will also be considered. As the successful candidate, you will have expert level knowledge of environmental legislation, air pollution regulation & economic impacts, as well as scientific principles involving air chemistry, health, science, and air monitoring & mitigation technology. An understanding of noise propagation and mitigation, and the Nova Scotia energy environment, would be beneficial in this role.

You will also be adept at complex problem solving, balancing multiple priorities and incorporating multiple viewpoints into your issue analyses (e.g. environmental, social, economic, political, etc.) with an ability to demonstrate creativity and systematic analysis in solution formulation. You are able to identify risks and benefits and can articulate them with respect to any proposals. You also have effective interactive communication skills (speaking, listening, writing, presenting). Lastly, you are self-motivated, able to work independently, and have the ability to lead and/or work effectively in teams. You know when to ask for help.

In addition to having the experience above, you are detail oriented, accurate, and organized within your work and have the ability to make timely, independent judgement calls, when necessary, acting with transparency and integrity.

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

Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day.

May be required to work overtime on occasion.

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