Education Consultant (education Officer 3)

About Us

The Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration works to provide fairness, safety and prosperity for all Nova Scotians by helping them live, learn and work to their highest potential. Together, we support workplace safety, apprenticeship, adult education, workforce development and other services that affect everyday life in Nova Scotia.

The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency supports and advances apprenticeship training and certification across the province. Working with industry, training providers, communities, regulatory authorities and provincial, territorial and federal partners, the Agency develops and maintains occupational standards, curriculum standards, examinations, training pathways and policies that contribute to a highly skilled workforce.

We are seeking an innovative, collaborative and highly skilled education professional to join the Standards and Examinations team as Education Consultant, Apprenticeship Agency.

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Manager, Program Standards, the Education Consultant provides leadership and direction for the development, implementation and continuous improvement of a portfolio of skilled trades training and certification products. You will design, develop and maintain occupational and curriculum standards, assessments, examinations and flexible training pathways that respond to industry needs and support quality apprenticeship programming across Nova Scotia.

You will work with business, industry, labour, education providers, communities, equity groups and government partners to identify emerging needs and develop new programs and initiatives. You will also provide evidence-informed advice on whether proposed training pathways or initiatives should proceed and may contribute to workforce development initiatives aligned with Government and Agency priorities.

Primary Accountabilities

As the Education Consultant, you will:

• Write, review, edit and validate occupational standards, curriculum standards, competencies, learning outcomes, assessments and examinations for assigned skilled trades.
• Determine short- and long-term priorities for the development, review and revision of trades training and certification products.
• Design innovative, flexible and accessible training pathways and resources for in-person, online and other delivery models, including pathways for new trades or trades without established training options.
• Apply expertise in curriculum development, adult education, Universal Design for Learning, cultural responsiveness, equitable learning principles, assessment design and examination-item development.
• Recruit, screen and support subject matter experts, instructors and industry practitioners participating in development and validation activities.
• Plan and facilitate provincial, Atlantic and national workshops involving subject matter experts, instructors and apprenticeship representatives.
• Chair or support committees, task teams and steering committees, and represent the Agency on provincial, regional and national initiatives, including work undertaken through the Atlantic Apprenticeship Council and the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship.
• Build and maintain effective partnerships with business, industry, labour, education providers, youth and equity groups, communities, and federal, provincial and territorial governments.
• Ensure published standards, examinations and communications meet applicable Atlantic and national standards and comply with government legislation, regulations, policies and quality requirements.
• Maintain alignment and consistency among occupational standards, curriculum documents, assessments and examinations.
• Monitor occupational, technological, industry and labour market trends; research policies, programs and leading practices in Canada and internationally; and recommend new or revised programming.

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• Conduct examination-item and statistical analyses to support the validity, reliability and continuous improvement of assessments and programs.
• Support the development, annual review and evaluation of transfer-credit agreements with secondary and post-secondary education providers, including approximately 50 external certificate and diploma programs.
• Provide expert guidance on recognition of prior learning, transfer credit, cross-trade credit and credential-recognition matters.
• Lead or support policy development related to apprenticeship training and certification, including consultation and jurisdictional research.
• Prepare proposals, reports, briefing notes, issue papers, surveys, presentations and other internal and external communications, and present information to diverse audiences.
• Monitor project expenditures, follow procurement requirements, manage contracts with technical writers or development consultants, and coach contracted resources.
• Contribute to labour market and workforce planning initiatives, including analysis related to education and training programs, recruitment, retention, succession planning and workplace culture.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications and Experience

As the successful candidate you have a master’s degree in education, as well as 8 years of experience in the design, development, implementation and evaluation/monitoring of training standards, curriculum, examinations, policies and/or programs, or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Experience in online course development and delivery is required.

You also have:

• Significant experience developing, reviewing or implementing curriculum, occupational standards, competency frameworks, assessments or examinations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of adult learning, Universal Design for Learning, culturally responsive and equitable education practices, and valid and reliable assessment principles.
• Experience leading complex projects involving multiple partners, competing priorities and firm timelines.
• Experience conducting research, analyzing and synthesizing complex information, and developing practical recommendations, policies or program options.
• Strong facilitation, consultation and consensus-building skills, including experience working with subject matter experts and diverse partner groups.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to prepare clear reports, briefing notes, standards, presentations and other technical or strategic materials.
• Strong organizational, project-management and attention-to-detail skills, including the ability to maintain consistency across interconnected standards, curriculum and assessment products.
• Demonstrated cultural competence and the ability to work respectfully and effectively with diverse communities, equity-deserving groups, industry, labour, educators and government partners.
• Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets, presentation, scheduling, organizational and database software.
• A valid Nova Scotia driver’s licence, or the ability to travel as required.
  
  

The Following Would Be Considered Assets

• Experience in apprenticeship, skilled trades training, certification, workforce development or a regulatory environment.
• Knowledge of the Canadian Red Seal Program, Atlantic apprenticeship harmonization or interprovincial apprenticeship systems.
• Experience with recognition of prior learning, transfer credit, credential assessment or competency-based assessment.
• Experience developing examination items, conducting item analysis or applying statistical methods to assessment quality.
• Experience managing procurement processes, contracts, consultants or project budgets.
• Experience designing or implementing online, blended, community-based or other flexible training models.
• French-language proficiency.
  
  

We will assess the above qualifications and experience using one or more tools such as written assignments, technical assessments, presentations, interviews and reference checks.

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.

Additional Information

This is a TERM employment opportunity with anticipated end date of March 31, 2029.  The appointment status (‘term’, ‘temporary’ or ‘casual’) is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.

The successful candidate may work from an available Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency or Labour, Skills and Immigration office, subject to operational requirements and workspace availability.

Why Join the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency?
This is an opportunity to shape skilled trades training and certification in Nova Scotia and contribute to provincial, Atlantic and national workforce priorities. You will work with knowledgeable colleagues and industry partners to create modern, responsive and accessible standards, curriculum, assessments and pathways that support apprentices, employers, educators and communities.

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
• A dynamic, client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus.