Senior Advisor, Building Codes and Standards

Competition # : 44585

Department: Municipal Affairs and Housing

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: Exclusion - Non Union - NSPG

Closing Date: 22-Nov-24 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing is dedicated to working with municipalities to build healthy, vibrant, and safe communities throughout Nova Scotia. Municipal Affairs provides programs, grants, and funding opportunities for municipalities and community groups. The Department also provides services and guidance to municipalities in many areas including land use planning, budget planning and finance, infrastructure development, policy and program development.

The Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing is also responsible for ensuring the availability of safe, suitable, and affordable housing for all Nova Scotians. Our work involves making strategic investments, leveraging new funding, and building on critical partnerships to help further position ourselves to meet current and future housing challenges.

About Our Opportunity

We’re hiring a Senior Advisor, Building Codes and Standards, to lead the development and administration of provincial building codes. In this role, you will collaborate with multiple departments and stakeholders to guide building standards that govern the construction, alteration, and demolition of buildings across Nova Scotia. These codes establish minimum requirements for safety, health, accessibility, structural integrity, and energy and water efficiency throughout the province.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Housing Acceleration and Performance, you will lead efforts to balance safety, accessibility, energy efficiency, and housing supply while considering impacts on affordability, industry, equity, human rights, and product availability. Working closely with interdepartmental and intergovernmental teams, you will advance strategic goals, manage policy and regulatory initiatives, and provide expert recommendations aligned with government priorities. This role also involves serving as Executive Secretary to the Nova Scotia Building Advisory Committee (NSBAC) and coordinating with stakeholders at provincial and national levels to ensure effective and sustainable building standards.

Primary Accountabilities

You will manage complex policy initiatives that require significant leadership and a deep understanding of housing construction, building codes, and government priorities. This includes developing policy analyses and statements, preparing policy options for review and decision-making, and providing direction and information to interdepartmental and intergovernmental committees for the development of new building code policies. You’ll also:

• Represent Nova Scotia at provincial and national levels, and advocate for balanced and affordable building standards while protecting life and property. You will ensure Nova Scotia’s interests are reflected in national building code development.
• Advise on the Nova Scotia Building Code, Plumbing Code, Energy Code, and Farm Code, and oversee the approval of new construction materials and systems proposed as alternatives to building code requirements.
• Offer technical and policy advice to municipal officials, construction professionals, and the public on building code applications and interpretations
• Collaborate with other departments—such as the Nova Scotia Office of the Fire Marshal and various provincial departments—you will define outcomes, key performance indicators, and government actions to ensure alignment and consistency in building code matters.
• Support appeal hearings conducted by the NSBAC that are held in conformance with the Nova Scotia Building Code Act and rules of procedure. This involves conducting thorough research on technical matters under appeal, providing timely information to assist the NSBAC in decision-making, and preparing and administering decisions rendered by the committee. You will also establish and maintain a current system of interpretations and appeals on complex issues.
  
  

Qualifications And Experience

The ideal candidate will be an Architect or Engineer (eligible for registration in Nova Scotia) with a specialization in building science. Other accepted qualifications include a completed Diploma in Engineering Technology (Construction) or Architectural Technician (Construction), or certification as a Qualified Building Official Level 2.

The candidate should have several years of related experience and demonstrate a strong ability to provide expert advice on emerging issues like code harmonization, digital code adoption, and prefabricated/modular housing. This role requires skills in analyzing the trade-offs between regulatory impacts and costs to ensure balanced, effective standards.

Key competencies include excellent communication and interpersonal skills, a proactive and self-directed approach, and a talent for solving complex challenges. The successful candidate will have a proven ability to work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams, deliver strategic recommendations, and engage effectively with stakeholders across municipal, provincial, and national levels.

Red Seal certification in related trades, such as plumbing or electrical, is considered an asset.

LEADS

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 behaviors and capabilities required to effectively lead in a caring and inclusive environment. LEADS Domains include Leads Self, Engage Others, Achieve Results, Develop Coalitions, and Systems Transformation.

Please follow LEADS for more information.

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.

Equivalency

We recognize equivalent combinations of training, education, and experience, providing opportunities for individuals with diverse backgrounds to contribute their skills and expertise. 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

You’ll be located in Halifax, Head Office in a comfortable, office environment. Your normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day. A high level of concentration and accuracy is essential, with frequent computer use, detailed reading, and task-switching. The role involves drafting technical documents, leading meetings, and facilitating training, requiring calm and impartiality under pressure to meet deadlines and respond accurately to client needs.

Additional Information

A valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation are required for this role, as well as the ability to travel nationally when necessary to represent Nova Scotia in building code discussions and collaborative initiatives.

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
  
  

Pay Grade: EC 12

Salary Range: $3,687.15 - $4,608.93 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.

Current government employees may access this posting through the link below:

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].