Special Credit Officer (Loan Officer 1-2)

Job title: Special Credit Officer (Loan Officer 1-2)

Job description: Competition # : 41381

Department: Agriculture

Location: BIBLE HILL

Type of Employment: Term

Union Status: NSGEU – NSPG

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

About Us

At the Department of Agriculture, our vision is to create a Nova Scotia agriculture and agri-food industry that is diversified, market-focused and profitable. We work to support the development of competitive, sustainable and profitable agriculture and agri-business industries that contribute to the economic, environmental and social prosperity of Nova Scotia.

Agriculture and Fisheries Crown Lending Agencies (CLA) is a division of the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and administers the operational functions of the Nova Scotia Fisheries and Aquaculture Loan Board (NSFALB), Nova Scotia Timber Loan Board (NSTLB), and the Nova Scotia Farm Loan Board (NSFLB). Crown Lending Agencies consists of a dedicated team of loan officers and loan administrators supported by risk management, finance, and project teams.

About Our Opportunity

As a member of the Risk Management team, you will be responsible for providing financial and management counselling to assist businesses with their return to profitability and meeting their obligations to the Board.

You will strive to assist clients experiencing financial difficulties by maximizing the recovery of accounts through developing viable options for farm and fish operation.

You may also have the opportunity to work on new loan applications (ie. refinances and recovery plans) for the Special Credit portfolio and outside your portfolio as part of the overall lending team, analyzing applicant projections and business plans and otherwise completing a full credit analysis.

Primary Accountabilities

• You will maintain a portfolio of delinquent accounts that vary in complexity, priority, sensitivity and are problematic in nature to ensure that debts are monitored and resolved appropriately in a cost-effective manner.
• You will also assist with the respectful wind-up and liquidation of loan security for loan defaults working together with management and legal counsel for the Crown Lending Agencies.
• You will ensure the confidentiality of client information is maintained. This includes utilizing a bring forward system to monitor and action time sensitive files.
• You will assist with the monitoring and assessment of loan files through an annual review process that includes reviewing loan status, security, risk assessment and client financial performance.

Qualifications and Experience

You have a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Business, or Commerce plus several years of relevant experience; or an acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience. As the successful candidate, you will have an understanding of and experience with lending policies and credit analysis principles, practices, tools, and methodologies for evaluation of credit and credit risks. You will have experience in collections work and managing a portfolio of clients while providing a high level of client service. You will be proficient in computerized applications and effective at documenting client interactions and follow-ups. This position also requires you to be comfortable with resolving issues in situations that may be difficult, stressful, or hostile.

The following will also be considered assets:

• working knowledge of the agricultural, fisheries and/or forest industry activity in the Province.
• understanding of business and financial structure and management practices within some or all of farming, fishing, aquaculture, and forest industries.
• knowledge of techniques of real estate appraisal and property valuation.
• experience in working with and interpreting legal documents.

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 Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Pension, General Illness (Short and Long Term), Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. Click 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
• Some travel may be necessary
• This role is primarily based in an office environment where you may be working at your computer for extended periods of time. You must be able to work efficiently and effectively in a workplace environment that is constantly dealing with time pressures.
• Potential for non-physical abuse and aggression from hostile clients.
• Can be a stressful work environment given extensive exposure to high emotional issues

Additional Information

Please note, this is expected to be a Term status position with an end date in January 2025; however, the position status (“term”, “temporary” or “casual”) is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.

The position is based out of Bible Hill, Nova Scotia. The successful candidate will be eligible for consideration under the Department’s Flexible Work Arrangements which include options such as modified work week (Earned Days Off), and FlexPlace (opportunity to work part-time at a remote location, ie. your home).

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
• Mentorship through iNSpire: a new formal, interdepartmental mentorship program that connects employees so they can gain knowledge and experience to support their career development
• Countless career paths for Nova Scotians
• Department specific flexible working schedules

Pay Grade: PR 08 – PR 13

Salary Range: $2,074.62 – $3,091.70 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.

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.

Click Here to Apply

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