New Job Director Marine Services In Nova Scotia

About Us

The Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture has a legislated mandate to manage, promote, support and develop the fishing, aquaculture, seafood processing, and other seafood related industries that contribute to the economic, environmental and social prosperity of Nova Scotia’s coastal and rural communities.

The seafood industry is the number one export in Nova Scotia and the province leads the country in seafood exports, valued at $2.5 Billion in 2021.

https://novascotia.ca/fish/commercial-fisheries/

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Executive Director, Fisheries, the Director oversees all aspects of the province’s activities, mandate, and jurisdiction related to the management of the marine commercial fisheries and related industries in Nova Scotia. The Director represents and oversees the interests of the department and the province related to the commercial fish harvest, fish buying and processing, coastal zone management and seafood sectors at meetings and forums held locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.

The Director Marine Services will lead, provide strategic direction, and oversee a team of subject matter experts as they gather industry intelligence, support industry development projects, and provide advice and recommendations on fisheries and seafood related policies that impact marine resource management, fisheries management, fish buyer and processor licensing, stakeholder engagement and industry development / adaptation initiatives.

Primary Accountabilities

The Director will lead, provide strategic direction, and oversee staff preparation and presentation of recommendations and advice to senior management and the Minister on policies and programs relating to all aspects of the fishing and seafood industries. The Director will communicate a compelling vision and rationale when providing strategic advice and recommendations to senior leadership on fisheries policies and initiatives.

You will lead and represent departmental interests on a wide variety of industry and inter-jurisdictional forums at the local, regional, national, and international level.

You will oversee the efficient front-line service delivery of departmental programs, policy advice and stakeholder relations by divisional staff and through the regional offices.

You will provide oversight and strategic direction to the Department’s legislated responsibilities over fish buying and fish processing along with other fish harvester support legislations.

The Director will be responsible to build and maintain relationships with other government departments at all levels, industry stakeholders including associations as post-secondary institutions and utilize a cooperative approach to provide guidance and advice to regional, national and local committees. Good communication and presentation skills are required to disseminate information to stakeholders and other government officials.

Qualifications and Experience

You have a bachelor’s degree in science, plus several years of progressive management experience, in resource management, and resource industry development. A Master’s degree in a related field is considered an asset.

The degree of change happening in the seafood industries is rapid and requires agile approaches to policies and programming. As the Director, Marine Services, you will have extensive knowledge of fisheries management practices, seafood industry development challenges and opportunities, policy development experience, program oversight experience and an extensive industry network that can be used to facilitate a collaborative, inter-jurisdictional approach to industry development.

As the Director, Marine Services, you must provide guidance and leadership to coach and empower your team, to proactively seek out industry development opportunities that will address the changing needs and demands of the industry. You will also be proactive and responsive to the needs of Senior Management as issues emerge that require additional regional industry intelligence, policy, or programming responses.

You need to demonstrate analytical, evaluation and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and articulate key strategic issues, opportunities, and risks. Using this information, you can guide and oversee the development of in-depth analysis of the impact of existing or proposed regulatory and policy alternatives.

Using your broad knowledge of the seafood sectors including commercial fishing, processing, aquaculture, and supporting industries, you have experience providing advice and developing recommendations to senior leadership, including the preparation of briefing notes, reports and presentations.

As a self-motivated leader, team player and effective communicator, you will be able to effectively interact with a diverse range of industry clients, stakeholder groups and other government agencies with an appropriate level of tact and diplomacy.

You will have experience leading teams and carrying-out all aspects of organizational budgetary and human resource responsibilities.

Equivalency

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

The Government of Nova Scotia has adopted the LEADS Leadership Framework. During the interview, candidates will be expected to express how they have demonstrated the key behaviours and capabilities required to effectively lead in a caring and inclusive environment. LEADS Domains includes Leads Self, Engage Others, Achieve Results, Develop Coalitions and Systems Transformation.

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.

Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information. 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 Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Pension, General Illness (Short and Long Term), Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. Click here to learn more about our various benefits offering and eligibility criteria.

Working Conditions

• Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day
• May be required to work overtime on occasion
• Will be required to travel to local, regional, national and international locations for meetings and work related events.

Additional Information

A valid driver’s license and access to a motor vehicle are required for this position.

Preferred location is Halifax but alternative locations may be considered, with final location to be determined based on discussion with 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