The Information and Business Services Branch of the Policy and Corporate Services Division supports the departments operations in three key areas: Information and Support Services, Business Technology, and Organizational Development. The description of the services that are provided below.

Information and Support Services Section

The Information and Support Services (ISS) section is responsible for delivering information management and business services in the Department. The ISS Section includes the Department’s records management program, information access and privacy services, and business services, including reception and mail.

Specific areas of responsibility include:

1. Develops and delivers an effective information management service through the creation and management of policies, procedures, and practices related to the creation, collection, organization, access, retrieval, use, receipt, management, retention, protection, preservation, and disposition of departmental records and information. Includes the ongoing implementation and development of the corporate Information Management Framework.
2. Ensures the Department’s records management program is in compliance with corporate legislation, policies, guidelines, and standards, including the Government Records Act, Public Archives Act, and corporate Records Management Policy.
3. Advises all levels of the Department on information access and privacy rights, responsibilities, and best practices, and provides various ways, including through the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPOP) and the Environmental Registry, for the public to request access to information in the custody and control of the Department, while addressing privacy concerns. Ensures the access and privacy activities of the Department are in compliance with relevant legislation and corporate policies.
4. Provides advice, communicates with, and trains department staff in all areas of information management including corporate and departmental policies, procedures, guidelines, and best practices.
5. Manages all activities associated with space planning including acquisition, relocation, and the renovation of existing space.
6. Manages business services areas including purchasing, inventory control, building maintenance, security, telephone and computer network cabling, telephone purchase and relocation, insurance coverage, and other administrative functions.
7. Provides mail services for the Barrington Place office.

Business Technology Section

This section is responsible for developing and implementing an information management systems strategy that addresses the business technology needs of the department. The section has 3 fundamental objectives 1/ to ensure all Environment staff have access to the information holdings of the department; 2/ to ensure all Nova Scotians have access to the information holdings of the department and to enable access to departmental services; 3/ to implement an information architecture that facilitates the objectives in 1 and 2 above (includes measures for quality, timeliness, and access).

The ongoing challenge within this area is to adapt to the changing technology needs of the department through a strong understanding of business requirements and an ability to apply current technology to address these needs. This section uses a mixture of external contract resources and internal resources in order to deliver on these needs.

Specific areas of responsibility include:

1. Maximizing the utility of departmental information holdings enabling simplified access for both staff and the public as a basis for efficient decision making, short and long range departmental planning and policy creation, process improvement and in delivering programs and services to Nova Scotians.
2. Working with departmental program managers and staff, develops strategies and plans to address their business technology requirements.
3. Working with the Chief Information Office, the Resources Corporate Unit, other departments, and contracted service providers to establish effective infrastructure, service level agreements and processes to support the current and future needs of the department.
4. Through high level and detailed analysis identifies solution options and provides recommendations that maximize the application of technology for improved service delivery.
5. Provides project management expertise for the development and delivery of integrated business solutions.
6. Enables the ongoing effectiveness of applications in production by ensuring that service level agreements and processes are in place for support and maintenance and that regular monitoring of these processes takes place.

Organizational Development Section

This section works to enhance organizational and employee performance and effectiveness, individual development, work satisfaction and the quality of work life to the benefit of the employee, the organization, and its stakeholders.

Specific areas of responsibility include:

1. To meet the challenges of a changing workforce and integrate priority areas identified in the corporate employee survey, provides programs, processes and services to support employee and organizational growth, development, and effectiveness that aligns with the department’s business objectives.
2. Provides research, curriculum development, logistic coordination, program design, delivery and evaluation for departmental training programs. Some current programs include employee orientation, foundation skills and technical training, regulatory training, and career and personal development planning.
3. Manages and coordinates the development, implementation, and ongoing improvement of the Department’s Occupational Health and Safety program and Business Continuity Plan.