Design Team Lead (Architect 3)

Competition # : 48871  

Department: Public Works

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG  

Closing Date: ​08-Jun-26 ​ (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

Maintaining our provincial building infrastructure is no small job. We’re recruiting for Architects like you to help our Province achieve big things.

The Building Infrastructure Design & Construction Division of the Department of Public Works (DPW) provides leadership and management for large public infrastructure building projects during pre-design, design, construction, and building asset handover for the Provincial Government. Examples of large infrastructure projects include: Schools, Hospitals, Offices, Correctional Facilities, Courthouses, and Museums.

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Building Infrastructure Manager, the main purpose of this position is to provide architectural technical and design expertise, to guide the pre-design and design phases, lead the internal DPW design team, and provide technical support during construction for the successful completion of assigned building projects with focus on scope, budget, schedules, program requirements, quality, sustainability and durability while adhering to codes, standards, guidelines, policies and procedures as required by authorities having jurisdiction and the department. The work includes managing projects from building program through the phases of scoping, schematic design, design development, tender construction documents, construction administration, to completion of construction and occupancy and warranty phases.

Primary Accountabilities

As the Design Team Lead, you will oversee and guide the design requirements on behalf of the Department for various Infrastructure projects. You will help to manage and coordinate external consultant teams as well as various stakeholders including government partners, end user groups, and community team members throughout the design and construction process of public infrastructure project delivery.

You will help provide direction and oversight throughout the development of large infrastructure buildings projects including the drafting and management of contracts for consultants and contractors, and management of the design during the planning, design, and construction phases.

Qualifications and Experience

Your Experience and Education are required as follows:

• You must have a university degree in Architecture, be a licensed Professional Architect with the Nova Scotia Association of Architects (NSAA) or be eligible to be licensed through an association that has a reciprocity agreement with the NSAA.
• You must have a minimum of eight (8) years of Architectural buildings experience.
• You must have experience with large Infrastructure Projects, for example: Schools, Hospitals, Offices, Justice Department projects or Museums.
• You must have experience with the Design Bid Build delivery process. Experience with Design Build and Construction Management is considered a strong asset.
• You must have experience with building specifications. Experience with owner/consultant and owner/contractor contracts would be considered a strong asset.
• You must have some experience with budgeting and financial planning for building projects.
• You must have experience and knowledge of Canadian building codes and commonly used design standards.

Your Work Experience and Skills are required as follows:

• You demonstrate sound judgement and interpersonal skills.
• You are a self-starter with strong initiative and leadership abilities.
• You can manage multiple projects at a time in a fast-paced environment.
• You can utilize your project management skills to achieve goals and meet strict deadlines.
• You can communicate well through written and verbal formats with clients, consultants, contractors, government departments and agencies.
• Computer skills are required, including proficiency in MS Word, Outlook, Excel and Teams.

Familiarity with AutoCAD, Revit, Zoom, MS Project, SAP, and database management software would be considered assets.

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 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

This role is primarily based in a comfortable office environment, and you may be working at your computer for extended periods of time. You may be required to travel within the province to visit sites or regional offices.

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 18  

Salary Range:  $3,547.06 - $4,171.42 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 Show email.

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. 

If you are receiving a pension from the Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan (PSSP) or any related plans, you cannot receive pension payments while contributing to the same plan. If you accept a position that requires PSSP contributions, your pension payments must be stopped. Please contact the Nova Scotia Pension Services Corporation for more 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 Show email.