Labourer (Summer Student) (Bedford and Beechville) (8 Positions)

Full job description
Department: Public Works

Location: BEECHVILLE & BEDFORD

Zone: 21 and 22

Type of Employment: Student

Union Status: CUPE - NSPG

Closing Date: 12-Jun-25 (Applications are accepted until 11:5+ PM Atlantic Time)


Under Article 13 of the Collective Agreement between the Nova Scotia Department of Public Works and the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 1867, the following opportunity is being posted.


Please quote the competition number and the Zone you are applying for as noted above on your application.

About Us

Building and maintaining our provincial infrastructure is no small job. We’re recruiting for summer students to help our province achieve big things!


At the Department of Public Works, we manage 23,000 kilometers of roads and highways and 4,100 bridges across Nova Scotia. Our District Highway Operations Division plays a critical role in managing snow and ice control services, road maintenance and repair services throughout the province.

About Our Opportunity

As the Summer Student, Labourer, you will gain practical experience and receive training and mentorship from highly qualified technical professionals. This is the perfect opportunity to jump start your career, gain an understanding of bridge and highway construction, and watch your contributions come to life as you make exciting impacts to the Provincial road network of Nova Scotia.

Primary Accountabilities

You will assist with a wide range of highway construction and maintenance duties and have the opportunity to participate in:


traffic control;
manual brush cutting;
painting lines and trucks;
litter pickup, and general building and yard maintenance;
installing culverts;
road surface maintenance;
installation of guardrails; and
collaboration with various staff on special projects which will further enhance and develop your skills.

We offer opportunities to participate in training courses for Standard First Aid, WHMIS, Traffic Control Person, Bush Saw safety, along with other safety courses. We will provide you with all the required technical and protective equipment you need, and as a bonus, you get to keep the boots we provide you when your summer work ends.

Qualifications and Experience

You are a high school student, at least 16 years of age, and are returning to school in the fall (or in the next applicable semester for the education program).


As the ideal candidate you demonstrate a keen interest in highway and bridge construction and maintenance activities. You must also be:


an excellent communicator who provides professional customer service;
a team player; and
safety aware.

At Public Works, your ability to exercise sound judgment in situations, along with following safe work practices is critical in keeping you safe in your role.


The following are considered assets:


A valid driver’s license;
Familiarity with construction sites; and
Exposure to heavy equipment.

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.

Working Conditions

The majority of your work will be done outdoors in various weather conditions.

Additional Information

The current contract with CUPE Local 1867 expired in November 2023. A tentative agreement has been reached and once ratified the wage will be $18.22 per hour.


Four (4) opportunities are available in Beechville (Zone 21) and four (4) opportunities in Bedford (Zone 22).


These positions have anticipated end dates of August 2+, 2025.


Pay Grade: LABOURER

Salary Range: $15.42 Hourly


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 CUPE local 1867 employees with a date of seniority. The successful candidate(s) will be expected to perform duties as necessary within their zone. 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. PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.


Current employees may apply to this position through the following link:


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.