Highway Planning and Design Engineer (Engineer 1-3)
Top Benefits
About the role
Department: Public Works
Location: HALIFAX
Type of Employment: Term
Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG
Closing Date: 14-Aug-25 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)
About Us
The Highway Planning and Design Team at the Department of Public Works is responsible for the planning and design of provincial highway projects, from functional planning through to detailed design. We’re committed to delivering optimum solutions and enhancing the quality of our province’s road network. Being a member of our Team will allow you to be a fully engaged professional and have direct influence on the development of highway and active transportation infrastructure.
We are a close group of diverse and experienced engineering and technical staff where collaboration and team building are key to our successes and enjoyment of our work. If you’re seeking an opportunity to directly impact highway programs, engineering and construction, while watching your creativity and innovative ideas come to life, then this is your next great adventure.
Primary Accountabilities
You will assist in all aspects of short to long-range highway planning initiatives for major highway expansion projects, including: new sections of highway, twinning of existing highways, interchanges and intersections. This includes the identification and analysis of upgrading options; route location and corridor (land) preservation for new highways; and the review of reports, Transportation studies and Environmental Assessment or Screening reports. You will also assist in providing detailed designs and preparation of construction ready drawings for various types of highway projects, including: new sections of highway, twinning of existing highways, interchanges, intersections (including roundabouts) as well as upgrading of secondary roadways. This also includes reviewing the detailed design work of external consulting firms and providing technical highway design advice.
You will use highway design software (AutoCAD Civil 3D) to develop preliminary conceptual/functional/detailed designs in accordance with transportation planning best practices, appropriate guidelines and standards, such as the TAC Geometric Design Guide for Canadian Roads and the Nova Scotia Highway Design Guidelines and Standard Plans. You may also be called upon to organize and represent the department at stakeholder meetings (including public consultations), serve on various committees and project teams as well as manage and oversee the work of contracted external consulting firms. You are a key resource in providing highway planning/design advice and assistance to departmental staff and other government agencies.
Qualifications and Experience
A Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from an accredited engineering institution is required. You must be (or meet the requirements to be) actively registered as an Engineer-In-Training (EIT) or Full Member (P.Eng) with Engineers Nova Scotia (ENS).
Occasional travel throughout the province is required. As such, you must have a valid driver’s license and ability to travel.
As the ideal candidate, you will be a highly-motivated team player and possess sound judgement, effective communication skills and strong attention to detail. You must be a self-starter, motivated and be able to perform with minimal supervision. You must have the ability to conduct research, gather technical information and clearly present it in layman's terms both verbally and in writing. You will have ongoing opportunity to collaborate with engineering and technical staff within the group as you grow your knowledge and experience.
An understanding of the highway planning process and in using highway design guidelines and standards such as the TAC Geometric Design Guide is required. Experience in the use of software for word processing, spreadsheets and civil design (such as AutoCAD) is required, while experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D is considered a definite asset.
Demonstrated experience in leading and coordinating project teams, stakeholder engagement, as well as experience in public speaking and/or giving formal presentations is a definite asset. A working knowledge in the Department of Public Work's Highway Design Guidelines, Standard Specification for Highway Construction and Maintenance, Public Highways Act, Environment Act and Environmental Assessment processes are other assets to be considered.
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.
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 will travel regularly throughout your designated work area. Travel is often in excess of your scheduled hours and under extreme weather conditions. You may be on 24-hour call during the various seasons, including snow and ice control season, on a rotating basis and will be subject to shift work during those periods. Inspection of buildings, structures, and Right-of-Ways often requires working in precarious positions or environments.
Additional Information
This is a Term employment opportunity with an anticipated end date of January 29, 2027. The appointment status Term 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
Pay Grade: PR 08 - PR 15
Salary Range: $2,084.99 - $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 competitions@novascotia.ca.
This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If applying from outside a government office, employees must apply correctly via this link:
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 Competitions@novascotia.ca.
Highway Planning and Design Engineer (Engineer 1-3)
Top Benefits
About the role
Department: Public Works
Location: HALIFAX
Type of Employment: Term
Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG
Closing Date: 14-Aug-25 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)
About Us
The Highway Planning and Design Team at the Department of Public Works is responsible for the planning and design of provincial highway projects, from functional planning through to detailed design. We’re committed to delivering optimum solutions and enhancing the quality of our province’s road network. Being a member of our Team will allow you to be a fully engaged professional and have direct influence on the development of highway and active transportation infrastructure.
We are a close group of diverse and experienced engineering and technical staff where collaboration and team building are key to our successes and enjoyment of our work. If you’re seeking an opportunity to directly impact highway programs, engineering and construction, while watching your creativity and innovative ideas come to life, then this is your next great adventure.
Primary Accountabilities
You will assist in all aspects of short to long-range highway planning initiatives for major highway expansion projects, including: new sections of highway, twinning of existing highways, interchanges and intersections. This includes the identification and analysis of upgrading options; route location and corridor (land) preservation for new highways; and the review of reports, Transportation studies and Environmental Assessment or Screening reports. You will also assist in providing detailed designs and preparation of construction ready drawings for various types of highway projects, including: new sections of highway, twinning of existing highways, interchanges, intersections (including roundabouts) as well as upgrading of secondary roadways. This also includes reviewing the detailed design work of external consulting firms and providing technical highway design advice.
You will use highway design software (AutoCAD Civil 3D) to develop preliminary conceptual/functional/detailed designs in accordance with transportation planning best practices, appropriate guidelines and standards, such as the TAC Geometric Design Guide for Canadian Roads and the Nova Scotia Highway Design Guidelines and Standard Plans. You may also be called upon to organize and represent the department at stakeholder meetings (including public consultations), serve on various committees and project teams as well as manage and oversee the work of contracted external consulting firms. You are a key resource in providing highway planning/design advice and assistance to departmental staff and other government agencies.
Qualifications and Experience
A Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from an accredited engineering institution is required. You must be (or meet the requirements to be) actively registered as an Engineer-In-Training (EIT) or Full Member (P.Eng) with Engineers Nova Scotia (ENS).
Occasional travel throughout the province is required. As such, you must have a valid driver’s license and ability to travel.
As the ideal candidate, you will be a highly-motivated team player and possess sound judgement, effective communication skills and strong attention to detail. You must be a self-starter, motivated and be able to perform with minimal supervision. You must have the ability to conduct research, gather technical information and clearly present it in layman's terms both verbally and in writing. You will have ongoing opportunity to collaborate with engineering and technical staff within the group as you grow your knowledge and experience.
An understanding of the highway planning process and in using highway design guidelines and standards such as the TAC Geometric Design Guide is required. Experience in the use of software for word processing, spreadsheets and civil design (such as AutoCAD) is required, while experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D is considered a definite asset.
Demonstrated experience in leading and coordinating project teams, stakeholder engagement, as well as experience in public speaking and/or giving formal presentations is a definite asset. A working knowledge in the Department of Public Work's Highway Design Guidelines, Standard Specification for Highway Construction and Maintenance, Public Highways Act, Environment Act and Environmental Assessment processes are other assets to be considered.
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.
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 will travel regularly throughout your designated work area. Travel is often in excess of your scheduled hours and under extreme weather conditions. You may be on 24-hour call during the various seasons, including snow and ice control season, on a rotating basis and will be subject to shift work during those periods. Inspection of buildings, structures, and Right-of-Ways often requires working in precarious positions or environments.
Additional Information
This is a Term employment opportunity with an anticipated end date of January 29, 2027. The appointment status Term 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
Pay Grade: PR 08 - PR 15
Salary Range: $2,084.99 - $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 competitions@novascotia.ca.
This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If applying from outside a government office, employees must apply correctly via this link:
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 Competitions@novascotia.ca.