Senior Application Developer (Computer Services Officer 4)

Competition # : 50318 

Department: Cyber Security & Digital Solutions

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG 

Closing Date: ​18-Nov-26 ​ (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

At CSDS, we prioritize people - both within our team and in the communities we serve. Our mission is to redefine how Nova Scotians engage with government by creating accessible, reliable digital solutions centered around user needs.

In today’s tech-driven world, CSDS empowers government departments with essential digital solutions to meet Nova Scotians’ expectations. As a trusted partner across government, we enable departments to fulfill their mandates with secure, user-friendly services. From healthcare and education to public safety, we collaborate to transform how services are designed and delivered.

We don’t just implement technology; we modernize outdated systems and reimagine processes. Our agile, data-driven approach ensures that digital services are both efficient and adaptable to Nova Scotia’s evolving needs.

Joining CSDS means contributing to work that makes a real difference. From providing vital tech support to healthcare professionals to strengthening cybersecurity and developing scalable digital platforms, you’ll play a key role in building a more inclusive, responsive government for Nova Scotians.

Together, we’re setting new standards for digital public service, delivering resilient solutions that meet today’s needs - and anticipate tomorrow’s challenges. 

About Our Opportunity

As a Senior Application Developer within the Citizen and Business Services team, you will lead the design, development, modernization, and support of enterprise-grade applications and integrations that serve Nova Scotians and government stakeholders.

This role is ideal for a highly skilled software professional with strong expertise in Java, Python, JavaScript, API development, integration technologies, and cloud-ready application architectures. You will provide technical leadership across the full software development lifecycle, contributing to solution architecture, application design, development standards, security practices, code quality, and operational excellence.

You will collaborate closely with business partners, architects, developers, analysts, and project teams to deliver secure, scalable, and high-performing solutions. The position plays a critical role in modernizing legacy systems, integrating enterprise applications, developing APIs and digital services, and ensuring the reliability and performance of mission-critical business platforms.

Primary Accountabilities

• Design, develop, and implement secure, scalable, and highly available applications supporting citizen-facing and internal government services.
• Lead solution design and technical implementation using modern software engineering principles and best practices.
• Translate business requirements into technical specifications, user stories, and actionable backlog items.
• Build and maintain enterprise applications using Java, Python, JavaScript, and related frameworks and technologies.
• Design, develop, and consume RESTful APIs, web services, and system integrations across internal and external platforms.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex application, integration, and performance issues across distributed systems.
• Ensure application security, privacy, accessibility, and compliance requirements are incorporated throughout the development lifecycle.
• Perform code reviews and champion coding standards, automated testing, and continuous improvement practices.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation including architecture diagrams, API specifications, data models, system integrations, and deployment procedures.
• Support deployments, upgrades, release management, and production application monitoring.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to modernize legacy applications and improve operational efficiency.
• Mentor junior and intermediate developers by providing technical guidance, coaching, and knowledge-sharing opportunities.
• Participate in architectural discussions and contribute recommendations for emerging technologies, frameworks, and development methodologies.
  
  

Qualifications and Experience

• Strong proficiency in JavaScript, HTML5, CSS3, SASS, and responsive web application development.
• Extensive hands-on experience developing enterprise applications using Java and Python.
• Strong knowledge of object-oriented programming, software design patterns, and modern application architecture principles.
• Experience working with frameworks such as Spring Boot, Django, Flask, or equivalent enterprise frameworks.
• Proven experience developing, consuming, and supporting RESTful APIs, microservices, and web services.
• Strong knowledge of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), including secure application development practices.
• Experience working with relational databases, SQL development, database design, and data migration initiatives.
• Proficiency with Git, version control practices, and CI/CD-enabled development workflows.
• Experience integrating modern applications with legacy enterprise systems and third-party service providers.
• Strong understanding of authentication, authorization, encryption, secure coding standards, and privacy requirements.
• Experience implementing scalable, maintainable, and high-performance application architectures.
• Strong knowledge of Agile development methodologies and collaborative delivery practices.
• Ability to effectively communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical initiatives and contributing to architectural decisions.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Proven ability to mentor, coach, and support team members in achieving project and career development goals.
• Self-motivated and adaptable professional who embraces continuous learning and emerging technologies.
• Experience estimating development effort, identifying technical risks, and supporting project planning activities.

Must Haves

• Minimum of an undergraduate university degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, or a related discipline with 5 years of related experience, or completion of a recognized Information Technology Program with 5.5 years of related experience.
• At least 5 years of hands-on application development experience using Java, Python, and modern JavaScript technologies.
• Experience designing and supporting enterprise-level applications in complex business environments.
  
  

Nice to Haves

• Experience with modern JavaScript frameworks such as React, Angular, Vue.js, or similar technologies.
• Experience with Spring Boot, Django, Flask, Bootstrap, jQuery, and other modern development frameworks.
• Knowledge of cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
• Experience with DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), and automated testing.
• Familiarity with containerization technologies such as Docker and orchestration platforms such as Kubernetes/OpenShift.
• Experience with event-driven architecture, message brokers, and enterprise integration patterns.
• Knowledge of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Generative AI technologies.
• Experience working within public sector, healthcare, or highly regulated environments.
  
  

Why Join Us?

• Lead impactful digital transformation initiatives serving Nova Scotians.
• Work with modern technologies, cloud platforms, and enterprise-scale applications.
• Collaborate with talented professionals in a supportive and innovative environment.
• Influence technical direction and contribute to modernization strategies.
• Grow your leadership skills while mentoring and supporting the next generation of developers.
  
  

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

This position is based in Halifax and requires on-site work in an office environment during normal business hours (08:00-16:30). To support a 24/7 critical service, the successful candidate will also be required to work outside regular business hours, participate in an on-call rotation, and work non-traditional shifts, including evenings and weekends, as operational needs require.

Additional Information

We will be filling two positions. One permanent employment opportunity and one TERM employment opportunity with an anticipated end date of April 05, 2028. The appointment status (‘term’, ‘temporary’ or ‘casual’) is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.

We will assess the above qualifications and experience using tools such as assessments (written coding exam), presentations, interviews, reference checks, etc.

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
• A dynamic, client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus.
  
  

Pay Grade:  PR 17  

Salary Range:  $3,410.48 - $4,005.58 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, Persons of African Descent, Racialized Persons, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ Persons 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.

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 Competitions@novascotia.ca.